My name is John Dowdy and I send greetings from sunny southwest Tennessee.
I am a photobiologist, which had little to do with photography at least until my interest in UV/IR observable photodermatological responses to UV led me back into photography after many years astray. Some of you may recognize me from the old NG/FotoZones site mostly in the Invisible Spectrum/UVIR zone. I have since migrated over to Andrea and Bjørn's excellent UltravioletPhotography.com forum.
While I am still relatively new to high end photography I am no stranger to UV. My scientific interests are in UV photobiology including basic cell biology of human pigmentation, vitamin D, sunburn and skin cancer. In my work I have done a little film photography and video microscopic image analysis but much of my current work is in UV/Vis/NIR spectral analysis and risk assessment. In my spectroradiometric work I am familiar with many types of light sources and filters.
I still very much consider myself a novice, especially among such august company. So, until skill and courage permit, I am mostly limiting myself to reading and learning and the occasional question or comment.
Thanks for the opportunity to join.