Flickr: Marcus Monaghan

I have been taking photographs since I was 10yrs old. I started out using a Zenith Manual SLR which I bought 2nd hand and used a seperate hand held Westerly Light Meter. From that, I upgraded to a Minolta 7000 (not the horrendous Dynax i range). In 1989 during my school work experience I was fortunate to land a placement with one of the UK's leading professional Photo Labs in Harbourne, Birmingham.

In 1992 I went to Coventry Technical College where I studied for a BTEC Nat Dip in Photography. The first year went very well, and learned all aspects from shooting in a studio environment, processing my own film, and creative work in a darkroom. However, the 2nd year was not so smooth. I dissagreed with much that my Course Tutor had to say about my work, and did not like the way he was trying to change my outlook and work. This resulted in a poor final piece and a weak portfolio which ultimately meant I failed in securing a place at the University I had my heart set on. Rather than continue with my chosen profession I (regretably now) dropped it for several years.

It wasn't until around 2006 when I bought my Nikon D70s that I started to get back into Photography and realised just how powerful the digital format had become. The ability to publish and share work without the expense of film and prints has really opened up photography to many people who have since become talented photographers when previously they would not have bothered experimenting due to the ongoing costs. The only aspect I do not like is peoples use of Photoshop to over enhance their work (especially Landscapes) creating beautiful but completely un-natural skies etc. I prefer to capture the full essence and effect through the lens and only use Adobe Lightroom to slightly correct balances, crop, and add borders.

During 2006-2008 I found Second Life. A whole virtual world created by the players. In this world, under the name of Corbin Carling, I soon established myself as one of the best known and more successful in-world photographers and made enough money doing this to suppliment my income and also maintain my own virtual island that was home to my studio. The Wind-Light technology in Second Life meant you could fully recreate lighting effects as you would in real life by using lights (or in this case floating orbs) and reflectors. I was commissioned as often as three times per week for Second Life Weddings, and everyday I would have at least 2 portrait shoots in my studio. I was also commissioned by JCNY the leading jewellery designer to shoot the adverts for their new collections, worked with SL's biggest shoe stores - Zhao Shoes, and also produced all the photography for Jameson Estates who owned approximately 50 islands for rental during the rental boom.

Although this was great for business.... my real life was suffering as I was always sat at my computer and not getting any real life social time. Second Life has a knack of intensifying all feelings of emotion. It was like a drug. People literally live there, some have died there (in real life), some find true love, and get married in real life as well. Others lose themselves completely. Losing faith and trust in everyone around them. Becoming nasty and bitter and only find satisfacton in ruining other people's lives. Second Life is dangerously addictive and I chose to get out while I still could!

To this day I have never returned to Second Life but I still keep in touch with friends I made there. Now, whenever the urge to log in comes, I pick up my Nikon and get out and about!