Mike Lawrence is a published amateur photographer specializing in close-up photography. He produces captivating images using natural light to convey the beauty and changing moods of nature.
Born in South Wales, Mike grew up around the fishing ports of Devon and Cornwall. After qualifying as a Chartered Civil Engineer in Portsmouth, he travelled extensively throughout the UK and the rest of the world working as a construction expert. It was while working in Scotland that he developed his enduring love for nature and close-up photography. He has illustrated magazines and children's books and contributed successfully to several international image libraries.
In 2000 Mike returned to Cornwall to work. From his home near Liskeard he continues to capture the essence of the coast and fishing villages of Cornwall, one of the most beautiful and magical places that exists.
Mike's interest in photography began in his early teens when he was given an Agfa Silette as a birthday present. Entirely self-taught, he developed and printed his own black and white photographs for entry into local and national competitions. Later he turned his interest to colour photography, using 35mm transparencies to take close-up photographs of flowers.
Many of the images in the Galleries were made in 35mm format, using Kodachrome 64 and Fujichrome Velvia 50. Mike now takes his photographs exclusively in digital format, preferring its "see-it-now" facility when working outdoors. He currently uses a Nikon D300 with the following Nikkor lenses - 17-55mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 for general photography, and 60mm f2.8 and 105mm f2.8 macro for close-up work. He also uses an Olympus Mju-810 compact camera when the use of his Benbo tripod is not practical!