THE PERSONA BEHIND THE LENS:
Introduction
Mike was born in Rodesia and became a acredited and respected South African photojournalist/photographer covering news events and conflict during South Africa,s turbelant times .Mike now lives in the U.K. Although he no longer covers news events for major news outlets his passion for photography has never waved and is still out there taking pictures. His favouraite quote was "Before you ask, I dont take sides I take pictures" that usually ended a sticky conversation about why he was taking pictures there.
My real love of photography started when I was still at school and in the camera club. My mum had a Ziess ion 35mm flim camera from my late grand dad and me being creative it was not long before I browed the camera and was taking pictures . Untill she got so fed up and me continually using the camera and pestering her for a camera I got given my first camera a Olympus OM10.35mm film camera and a 50mm lens some of the pictures where terrible to start with but I got much better as I began learning the fundermentals of photography. Then I got a break after my sister seemed to think i had a talent and said i should become a photographer. I applied at a local newspaper with a 15 image 5x7 portfolio. a week later I was hired as a photographer I had got the job but had to learn very quickly shoot the pictures, develop and print images to a strict deadline,s not always the easiest thing to do.
This was back in the early eighties and then later as a freelance photographer up untill the mid nineties. I recall my first pro camera was a Nikon FE 35mm flim camera three lenses 28 mm prime,50mm prime and a 70-200mm a flash gun and rolls of kodak tri x Black and White iso 400, a horrible camera card and canvas box bag so I went out and bought a new bag with my first wages and promply returned the old box bag I thought I was the business but it was not easy Iwas learning all the time at breakneck speed and my confidence grew, yes there where hich cups on the way . I still use Nikon camera,s to this day. I use a Nikon D810,s my workhorse and with a 24mm1.8 prime, 35mm prime1.18, 50mm1.8 prime lens and a 70-200mm 2.8 zoom lens. A lot of my images are shot with the 24mm , 35mm and a 50mm prime lenses.
Over the years I have developed a creative, inquisitive and instinctive style of photography. Having shot News , Social events, conflict,sport and a lot of other types of photography.This has taught me to adapt to the situation in front of my lens and having 4 decade,s of photographic experience as a working as a professional photographer I have never stoped learning and continue to learn in the ever changing photographic world.
I am still out there shooting pictures often of a society in constant flux . The world around us is ever changing,be it Urban, Landscape or Street photography it will never be the same again .todays news is tomorrow,s history.
Based in Liverpool and beyond
Some of the publications I have submitted images to
Nas pers newspaper group, R.S.A.Die Volksblad,Bloemnuus;Rapport,Beeld, Other news outlets,The Natal Mercruy,Daily news,The Natal Wittness, The Star, Liverpool Echo, Wirral News.BBC, Scope ,WI monthly,Huisgenoot. Alamy,Shuttercock
