I always enjoyed photography. I got my first SLR camera back in 1977, and I owned a succession of digital compact cameras. But I first got serious about photography in the late 2000’s when my work took me on extended trips to the Far East: to Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China. I found myself with evenings and weekends to spare in Tokyo and Seoul and I discovered that an Asian city that is a bleak, concrete wilderness by day turns into a glorious, neon-lit fantasy land at night. In 2013 I bought myself a “real” camera, the Olympus OMD E-M1, in the Yodobashi Camera store in Akihabara, Tokyo and I treated myself to a set of lenses that I still use today and will use for many years to come.

Night changes the character of a city. Places that appear ordinary and uninteresting by day take take on a completely new appearance at night. Street lamps cast pools of light. Windows are lit and a few neon signs can make a quite street look live a mini Las Vegas. Darkness adds an air of mystery and, maybe, danger. And life gets even better when it rains.

We moved to Perth in 2014, when I retired. The lights of Perth don’t quite compare with Tokyo – but then I discovered puddles. Even the smallest puddle produces a spectacular reflection when the camera is at ground level. And, unlike Tokyo, the neglected streets and pavements of Perth are perfect for puddles.

I still enjoy to travel. I picked up a consulting job that has taken me to Cairo and Tbilisi – also great photo locations. And the money I earn feeds my photography hobby as well as the occasional photo trip to Japan.