About

Photography has been a lifelong passion that has evolved with every stage of my life. 

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I first became interested in photography while living in the Caribbean. Before leaving London, I purchased a Nikon F2, which became my constant companion. Most of my work focused on landscapes, sunrises, and sunsets, with the occasional studio portrait session.

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The most memorable photograph from that time was taken on the coast at sunset. The sea was calm, with only small waves rolling onto the shore. The evening light turned the water into a rich golden colour, and every ripple sparkled with life. It was one of those moments where everything came together perfectly.

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My next camera was a Nikon F5, which I bought while studying photography. During the course, I developed a real appreciation for studio still life and street photography.

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One of my favourite street photographs was a black-and-white image of a young boy completely absorbed in the simple pleasure of licking a huge ice cream. The expression on his face captured pure joy, as though nothing else in the world mattered at that moment.

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When I moved back to London my next camera was a Nikon F5 which I purchased while doing a Photographic course. I enjoyed doing studio still life and street life.

 

The best street life photo was a black-and-white shot of a kid who was absolutely enjoying the delights of licking a huge ice cream in his hand. The joy on his face showed this ice cream ment more to him than anything else ever could.  

 

Portrait photography presented different challenges. My best portrait was of a fellow student who never smiled. I seated him comfortably on a stool near a large window, using the natural sunlight coming from behind and slightly to his left. The camera was mounted on a tripod, with a cable release ready to go. Despite trying to put him at ease, there was still no smile. Then, just before taking the photograph, I jokingly said, "Now undo your zip and get your knob out".  The unexpected comment caught him completely off guard.  He burst into a huge smile—and at that exact moment I pressed the shutter. The tutors were impressed when the image came up during our group critique, not only because of the expression but because it captured a genuine, unguarded moment.

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After moving to New Zealand, my interest shifted towards astrophotography. To support that, I purchased a Nikon Z 14–24mm f/2.8 S lens. No one ever said astrophotography was easy. The weather is often against you, conditions rarely cooperate, and success requires patience, persistence, and plenty of trial and error. Producing a truly exceptional image takes experience, time, investment, and more than a little help from Google and YouTube.

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My favourite astrophotography image was taken at Lake Tekapo. The town is small, and its residents are careful to minimise outdoor lighting at night. Combined with its distance from larger towns and cities, the area has exceptionally low light pollution, making it one of the finest places in New Zealand for photographing the night sky.

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That evening I set out to photograph the Milky Way. Achieving precise focus demanded complete concentration, so I wasn't paying attention to every detail within the frame. I captured three sets of 25 images and reviewed them on the back of the camera, but the small screen didn't reveal everything. It wasn't until I returned home, stacked the images, and opened them in Photoshop that I noticed something unexpected—Orion was also in the frame. It was small, but it was there. Discovering it felt like finding a hidden treasure.

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Now that I have retired, I have much more time to devote to photography. I enjoy planning photographic trips, exploring new locations, and constantly looking for fresh creative ideas. In 2023, Tomoko and I spent a month touring Japan, and in 2025 I returned on my own to explore Kyushu.

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My next trip is planned for 2028. I'm also considering upgrading my camera from the Nikon Z6II to the Nikon Z7II to benefit from its higher resolution. However, the Z7II produces noticeably more noise at high ISO settings, which is an important consideration for astrophotography. For now, the decision is still very much a work in progress.

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