Due to a bit of technical incompetence I may have posted half a reply a couple of minutes ago - if so sorry, if not just ignore this bit!
Asher, first thanks for the welcome and second nice to see a forum that encourages contributors to use their real names. Its easy to understand why people do seek anonymity on line, not least security of their personal data, but if you know who you are talking to it seems to make the whole communication process more credible.
Anyway taking your questions in order - I'm a lapsed full time professional. Although lapsed by about 20 years to be honest. Back in the 80s I did studio based commercial work after a couple of years in college plus a bit of freelancing local press, music etc. Whatever came along really. Didn't really enjoy it much, especially endless pack shots which is where the money was at the time, though I was pretty competent. To cut a long story short I took advantage of a change in domestic circumstances to swap careers and earn a bit more cash. I had intended to carry on building a landscape portfolio, but in the event work, kids and so on intervened and I didn't pick up a camera seriously until 2005. Step learning curve time - computers, photoshop what the heck!
Don't plan to move back in to professional photography - as an amateur I shoot what I like when I like - when its your living you do what pays. Not that I'm averse to an occassional paying job to offset the cost of a new lens or such like. The internet has probably done a bit of a diservice to many aspiring 'professional' photographers out there who just don't seem to get the realities of this situation.
I'd better not reply to the question about what I shoot and how its planned at the moment - will do if you like, but it may be quite long!
As for cameras - the breakwater shot you featured above was shot on a Canon AE1 program, £20 off ebay including the 50mm lens. I've used most formats from 5x4 down, personal favourites - 5x4 is the MPP MkV111 which is a quite rare metal field camera, medium format Rolleiflex 3.5f and 35mm actually the AE1 program wins though I've used a selection of Canon and Nikon ancient and modern and don't have any strong preference either way. Don't use B&W film, as once I'd got my head around the concept of scanning and software it soon became apparent that conversions from Provia or Fuji 160S were the way to go for me. Currently using Olympus 4/3rds digital anyway.
I've always had a stong preference for small format cameras, because I normally only photograph places I know well - and they aren't spectacular or grand - so I don't need big statements. Its all about quite small changes in the season, or the weather or the light - which small responsive cameras do better and digital does best of all. Also practically speaking my E410 is a 10MP which gives something like 12 1/4 by 9 1/4 print and fits just right on 15x 12 paper.
Whew that turned in to a long post, sorry about that.
Neil.
