Jamil Abbasy www.jamilabbasy.com

Photo © Robert J. Rutkowski

Throughout my life, I have had an interest in photography. It started on family vacations when my parents gave me the point and shoot camera. Soon I was designated the family photographer. I tried to stay away from the typical vacation photos, the family standing in front of some gaudy attraction, and thus began my interest in photography as an art. In prep school, I took my first photography course, and developed the skills to grow as a photographer. Photography became an increasingly important part of my life and I was finally allowed to use my father's Nikon SLR; I was the first one to switch it out of the automatic mode and operate it manually. In the following year, I build my own darkroom, and spent much of my free time under the orange lights of the darkroom, processing my own black & white and color prints. It was then that I truly considered myself a photographer.

While an undergraduate student, my interest in digital photography grew, largely due to the frequent unavailability of a darkroom. However, I was unwilling to make the transition. Digital photography wasn't as artistic, was it?

My first digital camera was a Nikon CoolPix 950 - which was fine for the occasional snapshot around campus, but did little to satisfy my drive for "real photography." Continuing with collegiate level photography courses, I expanded my film-based photography skills to include proficiency with a Mamiya medium format camera. With the Nikon CoolPix having outlived its usefulness, and my desire to become a serious digital photographer, I decided to sell my film cameras, and use the proceeds to purchase the new Canon D30. The D30 allowed me to do the photography my way. Subsequently, my last roll of film was shot in November of 2001.

After college I attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, in Boston. I found myself studying for exams and treating patients in the dental clinic more often than looking for my next shot. My cameras seemed to have taken a temporary rest in the bottom of my closet. In May 2006, I graduated from Tufts with a DMD degree.

While not out shooting or working I like to do my other hobby: Off road driving. I am also the secretary, webmaster, and photographer for the Vermont Expedition Society, an off-road exploration club based in Woodstock, VT.

Update 2.9.08: Along with Peter Vollers, we have started a Jeep Touring company, Vermont Overland Guide Services. Feel free to email me with any questions or comments.