After 33 years in Barclays bank and a further decade as a financial consultant, Mark Powell has done the hard graft and he has paid his dues. His career has brought him around the world and provided a ‘nice pension’. Now is Mark’s time to kick back and enjoy the halcyon days of retirement.
Except, Mark has his own personal definition of the word relaxing.
He is only getting warmed up!
Image: Mark Powell.
Hong Kong
In 2011 Mark went to Hong Kong on a 9-month contract. He had never been to Asia before and found himself agape with the colours, the streets, lights, people and sound. Everywhere he looked, his imagination was stirred, and he couldn’t click his iPhone fast enough. There was so much to see that Mark feared if he didn’t seize the moment, it may be lost forever. He wandered into a decrepit old camera shop and after an hour of deliberation, he bought a Leica D-LUX 5 with a small telephoto lens. The Leica became his baby and he filled it with over 2000 images on that trip alone. While there, Mark hopped on a ‘secret tour’ to Kowloon where he met a generous and helpful photojournalist who very quickly opened Mark’s eyes to his own potential.
While in Hong Kong something had ignited in Mark, and he began getting serious about taking photos. He joined a prolific and acclaimed photography group known as Welshot and began putting a portfolio together. Mark is a hands-on type of guy; he likes to talk and share and learn from people. Mark immersed himself in photography groups, photography holidays and he stocked up on equipment. He also sought out professional photographers who both advised and inspired him and finally, he decided to pursue a legitimate education in the field.
Mark assembled a portfolio, and his first port-of-call was Lladrillo college in Colwyn Bay, Wales. His portfolio impressed the tutors so much, they quickly offered him a place, but as fate would have it, a sudden change in the landscape literally made his commute too challenging. Mark’s second offer came from Chester University, but something wasn’t quite right, and it seemed to just peter out. Mark’s enthusiasm never waned however and when the Academy popped up on his radar, like Goldilocks, it was just right.
Then Covid hit.
Image: Mark Powell, Secret Tour, Hong Kong.
Camera Obscura
Initially, Mark was a little disillusioned with the prospect of remote learning, but the Academy and Mark’s tutors were so attentive and in such constant contact that he quickly found momentum and began devouring the course work. Mark has such an active and curious mind that even during the long and empty lockdown days, Mark was constantly exploring his local area with a camera in tow. Such was his hands-on approach, he one day set up a camera obscura in his home. Mark and his wife sat in the dark and watched the upside-down world play out on their wall.
Image: Mark Powell.
Love affair
Mark is a happily married man, but he had fallen in love again. He had been seduced by photography and was almost obsessed with getting another great shot. He had turned off auto settings and uncovered a wealth of potential. The only thing that was missing was, he still didn’t know exactly what to do with his photos. One day, having captured some interesting construction shots, his tutor recommended he send them to the architects. They were thrilled. It dawned on Mark that his work has value and other people would be interested in owning or at least enjoying his photography. Bolstered with a new sense of confidence, Mark tracked down two photographers on Instagram and asked for their help. They generously obliged. They workshopped his work, gave notes and feedback and helped him feel like a professional.
Image : Mark Powell, Birmingham.
Artist
In September 2022 Mark will produce up to twenty images for an exhibition in London’s prestigious ‘Bargehouse’ gallery, Southbank. He began as an enthusiastic hobbyist but, in his retirement, he has become a true photographer and artist. He has joined an online group known as 52 A Photographers who travel the world clicking what they see around them. He has had several paid jobs for events and publications, has worked with black & white and colour film and has produced two photography Zines. Mark is living proof that if you are willing to live curiously, you can embrace new passions at any time in your life. Mark has always been a busy man, a multitasker, a man who needs things done yesterday. When he retired, he began photographing with gusto and the busier he gets, the more he knows he needs to slow down. But that’s only to get that perfect shot!
Image: Mark Powell, Lisbon.
Of all the great lessons Mark has taken from the Academy, patience is the one that has surprised him most.
Inspired by Mark's story? If you are looking to upskill or start a new career in photography, take a look at our industry recognised courses.
Read more about photography.