About Me

I am a 45-year-old father of two children. One is 14 and acts like an 18-year-old sometimes, and a 17-year-old who has Asperger’s Syndrome which is an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Towards the end of 2011, I got into photography, buying a HE 1500 bridge camera to start as I didn’t know if it was going to be a fad or something I could really get into. After a few months though, I decided to go for it and brought myself a Nikon D3000 DSLR. Since then, I have brought a 55-200mm lens, a tripod, four zoom filters and a set of 28 assorted filters as well as a wide-angle macro lens. I have also been given a CAM-LINK TP2800 tripod, which my parents brought me for my birthday, and 5-in-1 reflector which I received free for subscribing to Nikon’s monthly magazine.

My sister got me into taking a photo every day of the year. That way, you get to see what is around you, no matter how small. I usually take over a thousand photos a month at the moment so had to buy a spare memory card and battery as well.

I hope you enjoy the photos (and other articles) that I upload.

263 Responses to About Me

  1. Debb Stanton | June 18, 2013 at 16:39 | Reply

    Hi Alistair! I’ve just joined this blog and will join your other blogs too – I asked my Aussie friend Lyn to introduce us because I had heard such good things. I may put one of your badges on my blog. :) Thanks!

  2. Rock Your Inner Hippie | June 17, 2013 at 22:56 | Reply

    Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award :)
    I hope you’ll accept…
    http://rockyourinnerhippie.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
    I believe in the power of your words and I’m so happy to be able to nominate you for this award :)
    Keep blogging, because your words rock…

  3. nightlake | June 10, 2013 at 03:22 | Reply

    Alastair, I’ve added your Ligo Haibun link to the inlinkz. Is that okay?

  4. Gray Dawster | June 9, 2013 at 00:18 | Reply

    I have added you to my knaves, I mean my blogroll and you are at the very top so I will be calling in to see your photographs soon, in the meantime have a wicked (wicked / good) weekend my new friend :)

    Andro

  5. Gray Dawster | June 8, 2013 at 23:38 | Reply

    I am adding my thoughts here because it would be rude to just visit your Space and add a comment regarding another user of WordPress and then not to find out a little about you.

    I like your ‘About’ page as your introduction offers one the opportunity of viewing your photographs and to share the results of a year in photography so to speak. It is a fine concept and I am going to click on the ‘Follow’ option so that I can call in again to view your art, that is if I can of course?

    I know that you don’t know me, and to be honest I don’t even know Charron that much either but I couldn’t let the bully get away with his / her ridiculousness without adding a comment. My Space is private but if you wish to visit please request access and I will grant you that my friend. I have seen you around our blogosphere and have always liked your comments so I know that adding you as a friend will be of a positive nature.

    Be well and do enjoy the rest of your weekend…

    Andro

  6. Madelaine | June 2, 2013 at 18:20 | Reply

    Love your new blog…..well, it’s new to me since last year!

  7. nightlake | June 1, 2013 at 08:28 | Reply

    Hi Alastair, Here is the link to the next ligo haibun challenge:
    http://call2read.com/2013/06/01/ligo-haibun-challenge-3/

  8. bluebutterfliesandme | May 28, 2013 at 16:27 | Reply

    Alastair, I look forward to exploring your photography.

  9. Otrazhenie | May 26, 2013 at 10:20 | Reply

    You have been nominated for the Wonderful Team Membership Award. For more information visit https://otrazhenie.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/wonderful-team-membership-award/ . Enjoy :-)

  10. Pingback: Nominating the Maphia’s™ Finest Readers | Stuphblog

  11. nightlake | May 13, 2013 at 07:44 | Reply

    Alastair, do you think my latest story reads like a news item? I can delete and write something else, I suppose…

  12. Pingback: Best Moments of quirkybooks – Two Best Moment Awards | quirkybooks

  13. Khaula Nazir | May 10, 2013 at 10:39 | Reply

    I certainly enjoy them..and I’d surely be coming back for more. Lovely blog. :)

  14. Praveena | May 7, 2013 at 11:47 | Reply

    You have an interesting blog.Great photos and posts.I will be back and look into your older posts.I am planning to discover more about you:)

  15. tchistorygal | May 1, 2013 at 06:58 | Reply

    Hi Alastair,
    Yep, awards are still out there. When you next visit my site check out http://wp.me/p2jC53-1ot for your blog. This is my way of saying that you are a special blogging friend. Feel free to do with it what you will – no rush – no pressure. The world won’t collapse if you do nothing, nor will I. I just wanted to say, “Thanks for being a good friend.” :)

  16. nightlake | April 28, 2013 at 01:37 | Reply

    Alastair, While drafting a haibun – You may also write narrative fiction or a short story before closing it with a haiku. Just a thought:)

  17. Somesh Mahanty | April 26, 2013 at 03:38 | Reply

    That quotes post, it was awesome n amazing! Thanx for visiting my blog! :)

  18. Pingback: Blogs the boss likes | Random thoughts

  19. Lyn | April 22, 2013 at 17:32 | Reply

    Ooops! It’s 2:00AM Alastair, and I just woke up and realised I forgot to include the Award in my post. It’s there now. I plead a blonde moment even though I’m not blonde :-)

  20. Lyn | April 22, 2013 at 11:20 | Reply

    Hi Alastair, I’ve nominated you for the WordPress Family Blog Award. To find out more visit my latest post.

  21. nightlake | April 15, 2013 at 10:42 | Reply

    Alastair, would you like to take part in the ligo haibun challenge..Here’s the link if you are interested:
    http://call2read.com/2013/04/13/ligo-haibun-challenge-peace/

  22. Sassy | April 5, 2013 at 20:06 | Reply

    Hello there,

    I just want to let you know that all the inspiring images on your blog can chase the blues away. Thank you for sharing them. :)

    -Sassy

  23. Tina Liu | April 3, 2013 at 23:17 | Reply

    Hi Alastair,
    Just letting you know I’m moving all content on my Reflections blog to a new blog at thewritofimagination.wordpress.com. Thanks
    ~ Tina

  24. Pingback: Best Moment Award | quirkybooks

  25. chloebarkerr | March 26, 2013 at 21:08 | Reply

    I just wanted to let you know I nominated you for an award (The Very Inspiring Blogger Award to be exact), for all the rules check the link – http://itstartswithapicture.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/

  26. Words We Women Write | March 26, 2013 at 00:55 | Reply

    I love the idea of carrying a camera around so as to notice what’s around you. I do this with my notebook. You and I are like the guy who thinks he’s being poisoned; pretty soon ALL his food tastes funny.
    Great blog. Awesome, in fact.
    Patty

  27. Alex Jones | March 25, 2013 at 10:49 | Reply

    Hello Alastair, thanks for stopping by. I often see you commenting on blogs such as Renard’s. Good to meet you.

  28. Moment Matters | March 15, 2013 at 03:31 | Reply

    Hey, how are you?

    Good news, we are giving you the “BEST MOMENT AWARD“. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of the day!

  29. laurasmess | March 12, 2013 at 23:28 | Reply

    Hi Alastair. This is my first visit to your blog and I just wanted to encourage your continued writing and photography brilliance! It’s a privilege to read your stories… my younger brother has Aspergers and it’s definitely challenging (though also rewarding!) at the best of times. He’s a pretty brilliant drawer though. Blows me away. You’re doing a great job!

  30. Swati Atul | March 11, 2013 at 16:54 | Reply

    Thanks for connecting with us & ur appreciation :) All the very best

  31. ashadeofpen | March 11, 2013 at 06:41 | Reply

    Seems to be a good place…will be camping here..:)

  32. carentaylor | March 8, 2013 at 22:44 | Reply

    Great site! My son had Asperger’s too. Its a condition which comes with amazing talents. Just recognising and channelling them can give out a genius for the future. Good Luck with all!!!

    • Alastair | March 8, 2013 at 23:01 | Reply

      Thank you. Yes, my son is a whizz when it comes to cars. He is in a specialist school and they have him go to a garage twice a week to work on cars and bikes. There are so many famous people with Asperger’s including Einstein, Bill Gates and loads of others.

      Thank you for coming by

  33. Swati Atul | March 5, 2013 at 18:47 | Reply

    Really like your work & inspiring photo cheats Amazing :)

  34. Becky | March 4, 2013 at 20:15 | Reply

    Thank you for visiting and following my blog! What an honor to have you join me on my journey! Have a wonderful day! :)

  35. Seenorway | March 1, 2013 at 23:25 | Reply

    Admit it! You’re infected with the photography virus! :-)
    Fare not! It’s the most rewarding hobby you can ever get. (Far better then stamps) And the motives are all around you: Up, down, inside, outside – wherever you look! And ‘macro’ is a world of its own!
    The bad news is: There’s no cure!

  36. sirfelion | March 1, 2013 at 00:45 | Reply

    Thanks for liking my Lennon blog entry. The photos are by another blogger who is my daughter. I am just dabbling in photography. The photos were taken with a new Nikon D7000. I took it on a trip and it was hard to use it fearing I might damage it! My daughter has a lot of photo experience.

  37. Sara | February 20, 2013 at 14:48 | Reply

    Over a thousand a month? You’re pretty passionate about your photography! :)

    • Alastair | February 20, 2013 at 14:49 | Reply

      I love taking photos. So glad it’s digital now and not film. Don’t think I would be able to afford that :lol:

      • Sara | February 20, 2013 at 16:13 | Reply

        Oh no kidding haha. I just started taking pictures and all I have is my phone and an old digital camera that doesn’t work that well. I need to invest in some new stuff.

        • Alastair | February 20, 2013 at 16:22 | Reply

          I had one of the first digital camera that came out. I still have somewhere. It was 1.3 megapixel and came with a massive 2 megabyte storage card. Yes that was two MEGAbyte :lol: What phone have you got?

  38. Hira Nazir | February 19, 2013 at 20:55 | Reply

    Very awesome blog. I really liked the compilations.
    Way to go!
    And the photos are awesome.
    Shall remain in touch!

  39. Jackie | February 17, 2013 at 20:52 | Reply

    Thanks for visiting my blog! I appreciate it very much. :-D

  40. iquitmyjobandmovedtoguam | February 7, 2013 at 08:32 | Reply

    Hi there! I nominated you for an award! Please check the link if you’d like to participate :) http://iquitmyjobandmovedtoguam.com/2013/02/07/blog-awards/

  41. Pingback: Approaching Full Moon « ShutterbugSage.com

  42. bearspawprint | January 26, 2013 at 18:01 | Reply

    Have you and your daughters found Wrong Planet yet? Lotsa info and resourses and fellow Aspie support.

  43. Yahobahne | January 25, 2013 at 15:31 | Reply

    Your story is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

  44. Manu Kurup | January 24, 2013 at 16:36 | Reply

    It seems you are running an amazing blog here. Thanks for the visits to my blog. I appreciate your support very much. I happen to be a photography enthusiast too and shall be following your blog from now onwards. Tips are most welcome. :)
    Hope you are doing fine. :)
    - Manu

  45. RoSy | January 23, 2013 at 14:33 | Reply

    Feel free to stop by for a cup o’ coffee: http://wp.me/p2oM0H-V5

  46. tartanpants | January 22, 2013 at 18:58 | Reply

    Hi Alastair, Meme sent me here and I am so glad I have found your blog! Looking forward to keeping up with your posts, especially your photos. I am waiting for my Nikon D3100 to arrive so I can start learning to take a decent photo :-)

  47. LyannV | December 26, 2012 at 20:26 | Reply

    Thank you for being such an inspiration to me…I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. You can check out your link here http://mylatterhalf.wordpress.com/?p=1280&preview=true and I would be honored if you would accept the award :)
    ~Lyann

  48. Insight | December 23, 2012 at 08:58 | Reply

    Wow! I would be glad to follow you, Mondrak. Looking forward for your updates. Have a good time ahead. Cheers.\m/ :)

    Rahul

  49. The Scales of Time | December 20, 2012 at 23:21 | Reply

    Alastair thanks for joining my blog much appreciated my friend.

  51. sweetpurerity | December 16, 2012 at 06:13 | Reply

    I have nominated you the Very Inspiring Blogger Award….I hope that you will accept the Very Inspiring Blogger Award – I have truly enjoy visiting your blogsite Please refer to: http://natureswalkphotography.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/very-inspiring-blogger-award/

  53. Cee Neuner | December 11, 2012 at 20:49 | Reply

    I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog award because I so thoroughly enjoy your blog. Please don’t feel any pressure for having to complete the qualifications for this award. I just really wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog!
    http://www.ceephotography.com/2012/12/11/liebster-blog-award/

  55. thebestdressup | November 30, 2012 at 06:22 | Reply

    ciao! luvFAB blog.
    thebestdressup

  56. Pingback: Very Inspiring Blogger Award | rarasaur

  57. tchistorygal | November 29, 2012 at 18:59 | Reply

    Your about piece inspires me. You must work very hard. I agree about the benefits of photography. It broadens my interests. All of the sudden I am looking for insects or leaves, or lighthouses. Then I notice them everywhere. I look forward to getting better acquainted over the blogging years. See you later :)

  58. mybeautfulthings | November 28, 2012 at 22:48 | Reply

    Hello! I’ve come to you from Meme. I, too, take at least one photo every day to remind myself of all the beautiful things in my life. I’ll be back here to look at your photos :)

  59. sakuraandme | November 28, 2012 at 04:06 | Reply

    OMG! that’s a lot of photos! *laughing* For some reason word press threw your comment into spam? It’s done that to a few people lately! *Ack* Thanks for checking out my blog. I love beauty and will enjoy seeing it through your eyes! Have a great day. …..Paula x

  60. nightlake | November 22, 2012 at 09:29 | Reply

    Hello Alastair, I’ve nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. Pls go through my latest post for more details..

  61. Christina ~ | November 22, 2012 at 05:16 | Reply

    Alastair, first I want to apologize for being absent of late…I will catch up soonest! Second, it is my honor to share The Sensual Blogging Award with you! Hugs ~ http://wp.me/p2wxQT-jT

    • Alastair | November 22, 2012 at 06:44 | Reply

      No apologies are necessary, people have their own lives outside of the blogging world. Thank you so much for nominated me for this award, I am honoured and touched :-)

  62. The Retiring Sort | November 21, 2012 at 17:47 | Reply

    Hi there! This is just your official notice that because I enjoy your posts and comments, I’ve nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. I hope you’ll consider this good news – but even if you aren’t interested in accepting, I hope you may see some increased traffic as a result! The acceptance rules are at: http://wp.me/p2ekZU-ZC. All the best!

  63. Pingback: Many Thanks for the Fun Stuff | The Retiring Sort

  64. icingandcake | November 17, 2012 at 18:51 | Reply

    Hi! A bit random but I just wanted to say thank you so much for reading and liking so many of my posts. I was actually just reading through my own blog for the first time and saw some of your really helpful comments you wrote quite a while ago now. Completely out of the blue but yeah, thanks! :)

  65. hentaiq | November 16, 2012 at 18:52 | Reply

    I just wanted to thank you for your support, so please, read this : http://chosenvoice.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/inspiration . Hugs, Hentai.

  66. Lori Lipsky | November 6, 2012 at 16:37 | Reply

    I look forward to checking out your blog. Thanks for dropping by mine!

  67. seventhvoice | November 2, 2012 at 12:39 | Reply

    I’m really enjoying your blog Alastair. Keep up the great posts = )

  68. Pingback: Terms & Conditions | Alastair's Blog

  69. happykidshappymom | October 17, 2012 at 02:51 | Reply

    Do you still take a photo every day? What a nice project. Do you have certain themes, or subjects that you try to shoot?

    • Alastair | October 17, 2012 at 06:30 | Reply

      I do still take a photo every day. My subjects tend to be what things I see. I don’t normally decide on one. I say not normally, but I do sometimes. I will get up and think “I’m going there as I want to take one of those photos”

  70. anelephantcant | October 12, 2012 at 22:50 | Reply

    Hi Alastair, great photographs.
    Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments.

  71. David Stewart | October 7, 2012 at 15:03 | Reply

    Thanks for following my blog and I’m glad I found yours. You have some gorgeous pictures. I see you like Nightwish too? I love their music. I first heard their Phantom of the Opera version and I was hooked.

    • Alastair | October 7, 2012 at 15:06 | Reply

      Thank you :-)

      Unfortunately, Anette has just parted company with them mid-tour. Wasn’t as bitter as when Tarja left, and they have a stand in for the rest of the tour now. It was “Nemo” for me so I had to get all of their albums. One of my favourites is Wish I Had An Angel.

  72. Georgia | October 6, 2012 at 18:28 | Reply

    Hi Alastair, I hope you are having a good day. You are invited to play along in a game of blog tag, I hope you can join in http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/tag-youre-it/

  73. reptilesintheicecream | October 3, 2012 at 17:49 | Reply

    I have an Aspie too. And a Nikon. Kindred spirits we are.

  74. jrliggettsblog | September 27, 2012 at 14:44 | Reply

    I’d never thought of taking a photo a day to record one’s life, it’s a great idea… here I go!

  75. Corinne Shields | September 11, 2012 at 08:31 | Reply

    Hi

    Lovely to meet you. Thanks for visiting and liking soulsnet. Much appreciated. As you can see
    m my blog I am no photographer but I do like to include a photo of my own every day on the site, supplemented by one from a “real photographer” for my readers to have something really lovely to look at. Would love to share some of your images if that’s ok. Will always credit and link back. Even though I am hopeless it is true you do see the world in a different way. At present desperate to take more myself as have run out!!!!
    Regards
    Corinne

    • Mondrak | September 11, 2012 at 08:38 | Reply

      Thank you so much Corinne. I would love for you to share my photos. I am honoured that you would think they were good enough to do that :-)

      And you’re welcome. You’ll find your blog listed when I have made the final changes :-)

      Alastair

  76. nenskei | September 6, 2012 at 14:50 | Reply

    Hi Mon,
    Thank you for supporting my blog. It means a lot to me.
    And by the way, you have a beautiful blog my friend.

  77. Sarin Ishaque | September 6, 2012 at 00:16 | Reply

    Went through your blogs for some while and I loved your way of expressing yourself and the amazing blogs! :)
    Following you, to stay updated in near future! :D

  78. Ripley Connor | September 5, 2012 at 03:08 | Reply

    Not sure about the new theme. Not digging the taupe background. I’m so afraid of changing themes just because fans will be confused. I’m easily confused.

  79. Tessa Case | September 4, 2012 at 17:01 | Reply

    Thank you for ‘likeing’ my image – my first entry for the Weekly Challenge. I like your idea of taking a photo a day – but what hard work! Last summer I set myself the challenge of ‘Mornings at Seven’ and had to take a photo between 6:30 – 7:30am. Lovely light at that time. You can find them on my blog if you are interested.

    • Mondrak | September 4, 2012 at 17:08 | Reply

      I think the “Mornings at seven” would be harder lol. I have my camera with me all the time, as you never know when an opportunity will show itself.

      I’ve started following your blog, and I’m going to have a look through :-)

  80. Ripley Connor | August 29, 2012 at 05:49 | Reply

    I would like to give you with a very distinctive award. I dub thee an honorary alien-human-terminator!

  81. Ripley Connor | August 29, 2012 at 05:23 | Reply

    Do you go by Mondrak, Alastair, Katter Monran or something else? Just want to make sure I reference you correctly!

  82. alicethroughthemacrolens | August 28, 2012 at 18:07 | Reply

    I know it’s a bit late, as the closing date is tomorrow, 29th August, but I’ve nominated you for the Capture the Colour competition:
    http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/capture-the-colour/

  83. samsoeephotography | August 27, 2012 at 14:52 | Reply

    Hi! I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. You’re of course not obligated to pass it along – I just wanted to tell that I really enjoy your blog, and your pictures :)

  84. Ralph | August 20, 2012 at 23:53 | Reply

    I also wold like to thank you for stopping by and liking some of my posts. Blogging is fun isn’t it :)

  85. Roho Ya Chui | August 2, 2012 at 16:35 | Reply

    Thank you for your support by “likes” :-) This is a great motivation :-)

  86. RoSy | August 2, 2012 at 01:21 | Reply

    Thanks for stopping by my blog & for your vote. Again – greatly appreciated. I love taking photos (not a photog – just a chic with a camera) & seeing photos from others points of views. I look forward to seeing you on my reader.
    PeAce!
    RoSY

  87. Ripley Connor | August 1, 2012 at 05:50 | Reply

    I would like to nominate you for the One Lovely Blog Award!

    Here’s some information:
    http://ripleyconnor.com/2012/08/01/one-lovely-blog-award/

    Continued success to you!

  88. nenskei | July 31, 2012 at 23:33 | Reply

    Hi Mon,
    Thanks for dropping by on my blog.

  89. Jill of All Trades...Expert of None! | July 23, 2012 at 12:15 | Reply

    I’m a huge fan of Nikon and love my little D60…at least I think it’s a D60, it went to college with my daughter and in our joint agreement, I may get it back once she graduates. :) She’s doing great things with it, so I’ll let her keep it. I enjoy your photos!

    • Mondrak | July 23, 2012 at 12:20 | Reply

      Thank you Jill :-) When I eventually upgrade (won’t be for a while yet) I think I am going to stick with the Nikon.

      Was just looking at the D60. Definitely a good one :-)

  90. unfetteredbs | June 22, 2012 at 11:53 | Reply

    thanks for stopping in on my blog… I look forward to seeing your photos and posts :) like what I see so far :)

  91. Graig Arroliga | June 14, 2012 at 12:00 | Reply

    Perfectly composed subject material, regards for selective information. “He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.” by Michel de Montaigne.

  93. tdblue | June 13, 2012 at 15:55 | Reply

    The more I discover about you, the more impressed I become. My professor and dear friend has a son with Asperger’s, and he is extremely bright and sarcastic, but his discomfort with physical touch has been hard on his family, who love to hug and kiss. Are your children interested in photography as well?

    On a different note, would you consider doing a simple tutorial for dummies (like myself) on how to use the different filters and shutter speeds?

    All the best,
    Tiara

    • Mondrak | June 13, 2012 at 16:10 | Reply

      My daughter is semi interested, I’m thinking of letting my son use my old HE camera. As for a tutorial about shutter speeds and filters, unfortunately, I don’t know enough about them. I have a “cheat sheet” that I can scan and put on here that gives what different shutter speeds can do.

  94. kellie | June 3, 2012 at 18:43 | Reply

    Loving your photos… and just read about your sons birthday, fantastic daddy you are…

  95. J. A. Robinson | June 2, 2012 at 02:17 | Reply

    THANKS for subscribing to my “pun-ny” photoblog and leaving some likes! I hope I can bring you a smile (or at least a groan) every weekday! You take great photos (I’ll be back to visit). Cool the way everything floats over the pen-and-ink sketch background.
    –John R.: http://TheDailyGraff.com

  96. mango.shenanigans | May 22, 2012 at 03:39 | Reply

    thanks for stopping by my blog!!
    I am loving yours :~))

  97. Lissa Rabon | May 21, 2012 at 15:32 | Reply

    I think you will really enjoy this type of creative outlet. I’m gonna follow it.

  98. niasunset | May 14, 2012 at 00:40 | Reply

    Thank you for visiting my blog and especially for your nice comment. With my love, nia

  99. Kris | April 4, 2012 at 00:03 | Reply

    I’ve got something to say: Thanks for following my blog.

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