Biography

Mike Howell ARPS DPAGB

Background

I first became interested in photography in the early 1980s using Olympus OM1 and 2 35mm SLR cameras to capture a wide range of subject-matter. I have spent considerable time photographing the natural landscape, particularly the coast, but also the countryside generally and some urban imagery. The majority of this work was in colour, but more recently, I have become interested in producing monochrome images and in the use of various toning effects. I am enrirely self-taught, having no formal photographic training.

Philosophy

Describing oneself as a 'photographic artist' sounds rather pretentious but I feel that it at least decribes my current photographic interests, approach and objectives, even if my work does not necessarily live up to these ideals! Although I do capture some images for potential general sale as stock photography (mainly general editorial purposes), I am primarily interested in interpretive work and the split between colour and monochrome mainly but not exclusively reflects the two types of approach.

I look in a photograph for more than simply a record of how the subject is generally seen or perceived. Instead I prefer something which goes beyond this, adding input from the photographer, whether capturing an unusual effect of light or viewpoint or the depiction of the subject at a stage removed from reality. The latter objective is frequently (although not exclusively) asisted by the use of monochrome which reduces the elements in the picture to their base constituents of shape, texture, form and composition.

Where the purpose of the photography is for artistic rather then record purposes, manipulation of the image is therefore perfectly acceptable, indeed desirable, provided it is true to the subject matter and is neither excessive nor inappropriate. For me, an effective interpretation that emphasises and enhances the subject is more important than representing it exactly.

Accordingly art photography is not about conveying the literal truth about the subject, but more the personal interpretation of the subject.

Influences

My photographic influences from the past include the landscapes of Minor White (particularly the surrealism of his infrared work), Ansel Adams, and Bill Brandt's landscsapes and some of his nudes. Among contemporary photographers I particularly admire the colour landscape images of Joe Cornish, Charlie Waite and Colin Prior and the classic monochrome of Michael Kenna and John Blakemore.

I am an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and I hold the Credit and Distinction awards for photographic merit from the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. I have had work accepted in national and international salons including the Great British Small Print Circuit and the Southampton International Salon.