I received a nice surprise this morning in the post, my Long Service Award certificate (20 years continuous membership) from the BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography)! It doesn’t seem that long ago since I joined!! There are a couple of other milestones this year, my 50th birthday and I am also celebrating my 30th year as a professional photographer! Quite a momentous year all in all.

When I look back at how my career started, it was my positive attitude that helped me get started. I got my first job interview in the Selfridges Portrait Studio by just turning up and asking for a job, I thought that’s how it was done!. There weren’t any going at the time, but they interviewed me anyway as I was there, and three month later when they were short staffed I got a call offering me a job if I could start the same day. It seemed a bit mad sat at home one minute then helping out on a shoot photographing a Nigerian Prince and his extended family later that day!

After leaving Selfridges to start my own business, I was told a year later that the current studio (my old employers) was closing and so made an appointment to see one of the directors to try and get the contract for myself. They were not sure at first, given I was only 24, but I think our enthusiasm won them over and we were given a chance subject to some very strict targets to meet. If we met them we were in! We ended up exceeding all our targets by miles and securing a working relationship with Selfridges on our terms that lasted 12 years.

It just goes to show, ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’, which is something that is as true today as it was then. If I hadn’t been brave enough to walk into Selfridges and ask for that job my career might have taken an entirely different path.

I recently posted a new photograph, Greenwich Night Panorama and it occurred to me after seeing it on line that it gave no indication as to how sharp the final image is! So here is a 100% crop of the detail of the Canary Wharf buildings to show you how sharp this image is. It should be sharp really having been made from several Phase One images, but you may be surprised how sharp!

New (short) blog post by Drew Gardner on Phase One infra red photography, something I specialise in, including some sample test shots I made with my converted P21+ back. Looking forward to using it this summer!

http://photography-thedarkart.blogspot.com/2012/01/infra-red-update-from-mike-curry.html

I will be leading a free photographic workshop this year for the Green Chain in association with Elixir Gallery, on the 14th and 15th February. Information below, and PDF download here!

Need some advice on what makes a really great nature photograph? There will be three FREE photographic workshops led by professional photographers on walks along the route as follows:

14th February 3-5pm with Mike Curry, 15th February 2-4pm with Mike Curry; 21st February 3-5pm with Ian Cook.

For further information and updates about free workshops, please visit this page again in the new year 2012 or email [email protected] or call 020 8836 5831.

The workshops will take place on afternoon walks along the Green Chain route in the Woolwich / Charlton area in February. Booking is preferred but not essential, you can just turn up on the day; contact us for locations of starting points. The routes will be confirmed nearer the time but will start or finish at train stations or main bus stops, for safety and convenience. Unless it’s torrential rain, the walks will still take place, so please come dressed appropriately and bring your camera.
Two professional Greenwich-based photographers will lead the workshops:
Mike Curry 14th February 3-5pm
15th February 2-4pm.
Half-term week, ideal for families and students, but under 17s should please be accompanied by an adult.
Ian Cook 21st February 3-5pm.
You can attend as many workshops as you like. The aim is to provide expert advice on what makes a great nature or landscape photograph. You don’t have to stay with the group for the whole two hours. It will be a mixed ability group – beginners are welcome as are those with experience; the photographers will aim to spend time with everyone during the walk and to answer queries. However, they are not experts on every make of camera so please consult your manual!
Bookings will be confirmed with the location of the meeting place.