Mike Broome In Focus

Having rekindled his interest in photography since the digital age, Longlevens-based amateur photographer Mike Broome has collated a stunning portfolio of work. SoGlos.com finds out more.

So, tell us more about yourself

I’m Mike Broome, aged 57 and going grey, married to my lovely wife Jane who has put up with me for 32 years now, and we have two sons. I was born and bred in Cheltenham, but spent a large part of my life all over the place whilst serving in the RAF, and have now lived in Longlevens for around 18 years.

I am currently taking it easy, or as much as I’m allowed, as I took voluntary redundancy/early retirement last September, from my job as the Health & Safety Adviser to a local insurance company.

When did you first develop an interest in photography?

I have had varying degrees of interest in photography since I was around 9 or 10, when I was given my first camera. I can’t remember too much about it but it did use loose roll film – not even 35mm.

My first SLR camera was a Pentax ME (which I still have), however, as this coincided with the children growing up, it was more of dabbling at photography than taking it seriously. Like many, the dawning of the digital age got me going again, as it coincided with me having a little more time to devote to it.

I still have much to learn, including what the 25 odd buttons on my camera do. Whilst still trying to improve my technical skills, I think of myself as a serious dabbler, and believe if someone likes a picture then it’s a good one, even if technically imperfect, as a lot of mine are!

What camera and other equipment do you use?

In September I upgraded to a Sony A350 which came with a Tamron 18 – 200 mm zoom lens, and I’ve recently purchased a Tamron 70 – 300mm lens too. Whilst maybe not the highest spec kit around, it does for me – especially while I’m still trying to get to grips with how it all works. I also have a small Olympus compact I keep and carry for those ‘I wish I had a camera’ moments.

Gallery of pictures by Mike Broome

Out of the 10 photos you picked for the gallery, which is your favourite and why?

It is hard to choose 10 favourites, let alone one as many photos are favourites for different reasons. However, I have chosen two – the view of the Great War Cross at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium, as it is such a powerful thought provoking place to be, particularly at sunset; and the single wavy vapour trail because it’s a plain simple subject but I think very effective, and it was one of those there then gone in a minute subjects.

Do you use any image editing software?

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo 10, I can’t afford Adobe PhotoShop! I find it currently suits my needs, mainly because I now have a fair idea how it works.

Are you a film or digital advocate?

Definitely digital. I know some purists say film is better, but digital is easier and a heck of lot less expensive. It also gives me chance to correct some of my technical mistakes.

Do you have any formal training?

No formal training and some will say it shows. However, hopefully I am improving through a mixture of books, trial and error, looking at what others are doing and constructive feedback. To this end I find Flickr invaluable.

If you could photograph anyone?

I’m not into photographing people, and often try exclude them from my pictures. I prefer inanimate objects as they do not criticise and complain ‘you have made me look 10 years older’.

Your favourite location in the county?

This is difficult, there are many areas I like to visit and photograph, but perhaps the one I’ve taken more of is Gloucester Docks. Probably because I used to spend many of my lunch hours there, and am currently working two mornings a week as a volunteer at the National Waterways Museum.

Any top tips for budding snappers out there?

No technical tips, I’m hardly qualified to give those, however I do remember being told some years ago ‘...a good photograph has nothing to do with the equipment you are using, because the picture is in the eye, not the camera.’ Whilst a little simplistic, I think this is true. The most expensive camera in the world cannot take a good picture if you do not point it in the right direction!

You can see more of Mike Broome’s photos by visiting his Flickr profile, http://www.flickr.com/photos/29733969@N05/.

SoGlos.com
19 January 2010