David Lake Photography Limited David Lake Photography Limited

My love for photography began at an early age. From as early as I can remember my godfather Ken, a professional photographer in Sheffield, was always snapping away. At the age of twelve, after an eve ... ning I’ll never forget at Sheffield City Hall taking snaps of Roxy Music in 1972 I sold my first images at school for a few shillings! Further non-official ‘commissions’ quickly followed from Queen, Elton John and others. Moving on forty years I find myself gazing dreamily at Helmut Newton’s battered old Billingham bag and selection of Leica rangefinder cameras in the Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin. I can’t believe it …. I have my own Billingham bag now and my pride and joy Leica M9 rangefinder camera complete with Noctilux 50mm f0.95 lens. Although the Nikon D4 is my choice of camera for most jobs the Leica M9 has really changed the way I work over the last few years and I never go anywhere without it. Many of my corporate clients include keen photographers who love trying out this great camera during the coffee breaks. It has also allowed me to take the most personal portraits ranging from a recluse in Kathmandu to a multimedia entrepreneur on the 7pm from Euston to Piccadilly ….. who is now a friend, supplier and client. I bought the Leica M9 to make me ‘think” about my photography again. My Nikon equipment is both reliable and bulletproof and so easy to use whatever the conditions. The Leica is also reliable but requires test shots and then makes me think much more about my surroundings, the optimum mix of aperture (more test shots), shutter speed (more test shots) and ISO (more test shots). Then after manually focusing I have it! The difference in pointing the Nikon at someone (a frown) or pointing the Leica at someone (a smile) is incredible. Published Work: 2002 “Spirit” – A collection of Lomo images celebrating Manchester’s Commonwealth Games Read more

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