Ladies and gentlemen meet Terry, or TLTownsend as he's known around these parts.

Interview by Kathie Berry.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Terry Berry aka TLTownsend, our Senior Mod and moderator of the photography forum and gallery. Terry's years of experience with photography and also Bryce and some Poser puts him in an excellent position to help others who are getting started in photography and artwork. Terry is usually locked up tight in a secret spot with a spot of his favorite libation and planning devilment with Kal. But I conned (err...persuaded) him to sit and talk a bit about his life and interest in photography. Hey, Terry…sit down here next to me, I promise I'll let you leave soon and get back to your "work".

We like to know where our staff is located. Where do you call home and have you always lived in that area?

Well I usually call the tavern in the mod room home. See I have a neat dark corner there and usually nobody bothers me. Come to think of it, how did you get in here?

When I am not there then I call Panama City Beach, Florida home.

When did you become interested in computer graphics, art and/or photography?

I got my first interest in Photography when my dad let me take a picture with his camera. After that it was a love affair with no looking back. I started into the computer graphics art thing with a program called Bryce and for the most part I have stayed with Bryce. I have used C4D and others but being on the low tolerance side I tend to get frustrated with those programs though I can make Harry Potter Wands in C4D.

I know that you have been a photographer for many years. Can you tell us how you got interested in it, what was your first camera and what you use now?

My dad let me take a picture once and after that as I said earlier it was love affair that never ended. I have had several cameras over the years but if I remember I think the first one I owned was a Kodak 110. The camera I use now is DSLR Nikon D70. My dream camera in case you're wondering is the new Nikon D3.

What inspires you in your photography and what are your favorite subjects?

Unlike many people when it comes to taking photos I don't need to be inspired just give me my camera and get out of the way. Nature is my favorite and then would come sunrise and sunset shots. People are my least favorite.

What interests do you have away from the computer and online world?

To start with my family is my main interest. My wife is the greatest gift I have ever received. Then our dog Conner and our two ill-tempered parrots. After them comes my photography which to me is where I can relax the most. Then I also enjoy writing poetry and tracing the family roots. Another favorite past time is reading about the Civil War.

I know that you have been a participant in many Renn. Faires. Can you tell us how you got interested in that and give us some background in what you have done and any stories associated with it?

I started doing Renn. Faires when couple of guys came to where I worked and wanted some snow fence to put up for a Renn Faire and they asked if I would like to volunteer. I said sure and that's how I got my start. I bought some Period Clothes and my gig at the Faire was to make husbands/boyfriends recite poetry to their spouse/girlfriend.

I could tell you the story about the time I got drunk on wine but it is X-Rated so will tell another instead.

We were promoting a house that is like a castle at a kid's fest and I was knighting some boys and making ladies in waiting out of the little girls. Then we would give them a little ribbon with a thing on it they could wear. Well it was getting toward the end of the day and my voice was shot after several thousand adults and rug rats had come through. This little girl came up and asked if I would make her a lady in waiting. She was just the cutest little thing and she knelt down on her knee and I went in the name of God, the Queen and the Kingdom of Salisbury I dub thee a lady of the evening. Thank God her parents were back far enough they didn't hear it and my voice was so shot I couldn't do it very loud and she was too young to know any different. Though to this day every time a little girl comes up and wants to be made a lady in waiting I have to pause before I say I now dub thee a lady in waiting.

When did you find PlanIt3D and what drew you to come here and stay?

As I remember my wife is a member there and she told me to check it out so I did. I went there and posted some and then Fitzy was interested in starting a Photography Gallery and Forum and said he would start it if I would mod it. I said sure and the rest is history. He also promised me free Scotch at the mod tavern anytime I wanted it, but what I didn't know was that he only gives out cheap watered down Scotch. That's ok though I have my own supplier of Scotch now.

What do you feel distinguishes PlanIt 3D from other online CG art sites?

Well I could say we have the biggest collection of clowns as mods that you can get and I'd be right. I could say we have the only site run by Admins. that are always lost in younkers and I'd be right. Yet what really distinguishes P3D from any other CG art site is when you combine all those lunatics with a great bunch of members ya end up having a great time and a great learning experience and a great deal of fun. Not mention a bunch people that really care about each other.

What would you like to see happen at P3D that we haven't included yet and why?

They need to sell top grade Scotch at the bar. Why? Cause I drink it.

What haven't you done in your life yet that you would like to do?

I really don't know how to answer that. All though I haven't come even close to doing everything there is to do I have done enough to say I have lived.

What is your philosophy in life that gets you through the hard times?

I don't even know what philosophy means. If you want some great words of wisdom I don't have any, now great Scotch I do have.

My wife said I have to give a better answer so here it is.

The only way I know to get through hard times is to keep on pluggin' and when ya feel ya wanna quit take another step. The only time you will ever fail is when you quit. Red Skelton said "Learn to laugh at everything in life after all you're not going to get out of it alive anyway."

What is your advice to others concerning getting started in photography and what equipment to buy?

First decide how serious you are about Photography. Then what kind of photos do you want to take. Don't go out and spend tons of money on equipment. When you are starting out you don't need all the whistles and bells the high dollar cameras have. If you're an adult or teenager wanting to get into photography I recommend getting a DSLR. It gives you many more options than a point shoot-- that is if you're serious about getting into it. For parents wanting to get their little ones into it, buy a digital point and shoot. They are small and easy to use. If you want more in depth help ask in the Photography Forum here on P3D. We will be more than happy to help guide you. The greatest tip I can give is to buy from your local camera store.

What do you and Kal plot in the cellar when I see you two down there whispering with your heads together!

None of your business. Yet I will give you a hint--a couple of women on P3D better keep looking over their shoulders and you two knows who you is.

What is your wish for the upcoming New Year?

Well I could say the usual dumb answer world peace, but the human race is too stupid to let that happen. So I'll just wish that in the coming New Year I have the strength to do what needs doing and the wisdom not to mess it up to badly.

Now that I have answered all of your questions will you please leave my dark corner in the mod bar 'cause I have to order a new supply of Scotch and find me some meaner rats so you don't find your way back in here to ask me a bunch more questions.

Well, I guess that is my signal to head on back upstairs. Err...Terry, you might want to leave the door unlocked next time. Kal hid all of the spare keys and I had to pick the lock with my hatpin.

Many thanks to a great guy for letting me bother him today and allowing us to learn a bit more about our Senior Mod. Drop by again soon for another peek into the private life of another staff member. We never stop giving you the news you want to hear.

Thank you!

Damsel