I learnt my trade and artistry

with hours spent perfecting images

in my darkroom

(AKA my housing association flat's bathroom!)

Here, I spent hours under the red safelight, 

teasing the best out of the images.

This was never a chore;

it was always a pleasure,

and the many hours paid off.

Every photographer does this!

My trusty amateur Praktica.

(and peroxided hair!)

c.1981

The Early Years

I had the Praktica camera, 

a donated Meopta enlarger

and a windowless bathroom.

Perfect for a budding photographer!

I always had a strong sense of the abstract 

in what I saw.

* Please click on a thumbnail to open full image + captions

Music - Clubs - Fashion

(late 80's to mid 90's)

After 3 years at Bristol Poly

as a mature student 1982-5,

I was unemployed for two years.

I then went onto the

Government's Enterprise Allowance Scheme

as a photographer.

I worked hard at it, but I was also lucky.

I survived.

I started getting published work

with the Bristol Evening Post.

I also covered clubs for New City Press.