Going 'Behind the Lens' with St Helens Star Camera Club’s Mike Horton

First up is Mike Horton from Eccleston who took his first photo 40 years ago and never goes anywhere without his camera phone, “just in case something nice comes into view”.

Mike at his beloved Saints

When and why did you take up photography?

I took my very first photo about 40 years ago when my wife bought me a camera for Christmas. The photo was of Nineteen Arches Bridge at Carr Mill Dam. I retook the photo a few weeks ago and it looked exactly as I remembered it.

Nineteen Arches at Carr Mill Dam, where Mike took his very first photo 40 years ago

What do you love about taking pictures?

Over the years I've taken hundreds of photos around the area. Being a keen cyclist and dog walker, I always have my phone camera on hand just in case something nice comes into view. I normally photograph landscape shots, cloud formations and sunsets. The sunset at Southport came about because the light looked perfect for a good photo, so I jumped on my scooter and made my way over there. As I arrived, the sun was just setting and I took a couple of photos and came straight home. I was very pleased with the outcome, following the shortest ever visit to the seaside.

Southport Beach

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

I love taking photos of the beautiful scenery around St Helens across the changing seasons. Sunsets, lakes and trees always seem to provide such wonderful opportunities for taking snaps.

A rainbow halo over Eccleston

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

Locally my favourite place to take photos is probably Taylor Park, preferably with my gorgeous grandson Tommy 'in shot'. I've always felt that the best photos come from 'that moment in time', capturing an event which has gone in the blink of an eye.

Mike's grandson Tommy

What do you enjoy about being part of the St Helens Star Camera Club?

I love being able to share the lovely views with folk on the Facebook page and in St Helens Star, if they’re good enough to be selected.

Forever love at Taylor Park

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

In recent years I've started taking photos for the Christ Church magazine. It's lovely seeing your photos in print like that and hopefully bringing pleasure to people who are unable to see these views for themselves.

The only worry that I have nowadays is that I don't print off as many photos as I used to and while digital images are good for circulating to friends and family, there's no substitute for actually handling a good photo.

I certainly don’t consider myself to be a photographer as such, just someone who happens to be in the right place at the right time with his camera phone handy.

Autumn's here

If you would like to appear in our Behind the Lens feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

If you would like to join St Helens Star Camera Club visit facebook.com/groups/941507462698379