Biography

Career

I was born and brought up in a village near Reading, Berkshire, England. I attended the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, where I gained a degree in Electrical Engineering. From there, I joined a major defence electronics company located near Lichfield in Staffordshire, where I worked initially as an electronics design engineer, then as a software development engineer, being involved with the design of a number of different sonar and internal communication systems for warships and submarines. I worked there for over 20 years, before being made redundant at the start of 2006 when the product section I worked in was moved to another company in the same group.

Since then, I have been establishing myself as a freelance photographer and author; this site documents and demonstrates the results of this. I also offer my services as webmaster, researcher, author, and photographer to small businesses through my Aardstorm company, which is operated in partnership with my sister, Terrie Osman. As a flagship demonstration of our services, we have developed the Zoos-UK.com website, a directory of UK zoos and other animal visitor attractions. I have also trained myself as a professional proofreader, for which I offer my services both to small businesses through Aardstorm, and directly to publishers under my own name.

Interests

I have a wide range of interests. Those of particular relevance to my photographic and writing work include a love of travel and the natural world, particularly walking, wildlife watching and gardening. I also have a keen interest in science and engineering, particularly various types of transport, and have long been fascinated by railways, especially those powered by steam. I am also interested in history in general, and the history of science, engineering and industry in particular.

Besides these, which are probably evident from the examples of my work on this site, my other interests include music, both listening and playing (keyboards), especially from the classical end of the spectrum; going to the theatre, particularly to musicals, operas and the ballet; watching films (of most genres); and reading. I also enjoy model making and DIY.