Enthusiastic but useless' photostream

I am now officially in middle age after the big one came up last year. I live in north Wales. I am an enthusiastic amateur who desperately needs an injection of artistic talent.

In the past, photography has not been a hobby for me in its own right. Rather, my camera went with me on day trips and holidays and I took pictures of what I saw. I don't really have the artistic skills to see or make a good picture out of anything and everything, rather I just see something worth taking a picture of and take my chances (as well as the photo')

More recently, I have tried taking photographs for the sake of it, to develop my skills and experience, and I carry my camera around with me more often. I have started reading camera magazines on a regular basis for all the latest tips and tricks, as well as plenty of ideas.

I bought a 35mm SLR (EOS500N) in 1998 because I was looking for a new job and having failed to get an interview for one I was considering applying to the police as a scenes of crime bod. I didn't know much about proper photography, so I intended to find out all about it. As it happens, due to unforseen circumstances, I was asked back to interview for the first job and I got it, so the camera was now a means to take better pictures for myself.

I haven't done bad, and if I ever feel downhearted about my results it sometimes helps to have a look at the pictures that others have taken with their compact cameras and that often makes me feel better, although my wife certainly has a better eye for the artistic shots- we could make a great team.

I went digital in 2005 with a Canon EOS300D, which was fine until it broke down 18 months later and had to be repaired at considerable expense. I took all my shots in JPEG, because I didn't know any better and as such, many of them were less than satisfactory having been processed by the camera.

I finally started shooting RAW in 2009 and thanks to the decrease in the number of shots I could take consecutively and the fact that the exposure was over by as much as a full stop for most pictures (due to another fault?), I decided to replace and upgrade my camera

Despite a promise never to buy Canon again (we have had problems with four Canon cameras) the fact that I already had Canon lenses, a flashgun and loads of bits and bobs meant that I semi-reluctantly bought an EOS40D ( I was considering a Nikon D90 or D300) and was immediately impressed with how well-featured this semi-professional camera was- not to mention the price now that the EOS50D had arrived. To go "Nikon" with the same amount of kit would have set me back a considerable sum, but so long as the EOS40D behaves, I don't think I'll be disappointed.

As well as the camera(s) I have a Canon EF 75-300mm f4-f5.6 telezoom lens, a Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro lens, a Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS USM and a Lensbaby Composer.

I am steadily building my collection of kit and have a number of filters, a proper tripod and head, and plenty of little odds and sods. I am adding a monopod and a better head for my tripod in the not too distant future.