FotospeedMike Birbeck FRPS FBPPA FDPS
Photography specialism:
Portrait and Landscape
Favoured papers:
Fotospeed Platinum Gloss Art Fibre 300gsm and Platinum Etching 285gsm
Mike Birbeck has been lecturing and judging for in excess of 30 years. A Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS), he is currently on the Associate and Fellowship team of their 'Applied' distinctions panel. His photographic interests are mainly people (both portrait and candid) and shapes and textures (particularly architectural). Lighting plays a large part in achieving the quality he desires, and he tries to create atmosphere in his work, whether in his studio or outside. He is proud to have been part of the Fotospeed lecturing team for over 14 years, and hopes to continue for many more. He uses their papers and inks exclusively, feeling that they give him the quality that he desires. He feels that photography is not the same unless the pictures are printed, and shares many photographer’s disappointment that many good images will be lost in the ether unless they are on 'hard copy'.
Having been restricted to using a wheelchair following a military incident in the early 1980's, he has concentrated on helping others who suffer with disabilities to expand their photographic horizons, and is Life President of the Disabled Photographers' Society. He also holds a Fellowship of that Society (FDPS), and sits on their distinction panels.
Over the years he has had many one-man exhibitions, at home and abroad. He has also won many accolades for his work, including the award of the RPS Hood Medal in 2005.
Visit Mike's Website to see more of his work here
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