Neil Protheroe is one of the pros on our team here at Muench Workshops. Read on to find out more, and check out his pro page to see which workshops he’s leading.
How did you get into photography?
My father worked for Kodak when I was very young and so we always had a camera in the house when I was growing up. He encouraged me from an early age and so it’s fair to say I’ve been making pictures since I was old enough to hold a camera steady!
Where are you from, and where are you now?
I am from the UK originally but I’ve lived and worked in France and the USA. I now reside in New Zealand.
What made you want to work for Muench Workshops?
My father had several of David Muench’s books in his library. When I was coincidentally introduced to Marc by (previously unknown) mutual contacts I knew there was a connection of sorts. Looking after guests in hospitality has been my profession for decades and to bring this experience to photography workshops has afforded me the best of both worlds. Muench Workshops is like a family and I feel proud and privileged to be a part of it. Working with like-minded, talented and creative people is unbeatable.
What camera system do you use and why?
In the good old days of film I used Minolta cameras but they were late to the digital party and so when the time came to change, I chose Nikon. For no other reason than at the time, their latest camera model was the leading light. I’ve worked with the Fujifilm system too, and really enjoyed it.
What is your favorite aspect of teaching photography?
The light bulb moment when a client discovers or masters something new. The histogram was a favorite topic some years ago, but now my favorite is focus peaking with mirrorless cameras. For those who aren’t familiar with the technology, it’s a game changer.
Do you specialize in any photography technique or style? If yes, what is it?
I am a big fan of telephoto compression in the landscape. I use my 100-400mm lens more often than I ever thought I would. I instinctively pick out the small details, find pictures within a picture, and isolate subjects against a background in many situations. I also enjoy strong, vibrant color. Give me a forest of trees in the autumn, and I’m as happy as Larry. Moody storm clouds over cotton wool ones all day long!
What is your favorite Muench Workshop destination? Why?
Right now, it’s France. I lived and worked there many years ago and revisiting the country through a camera lens’s prism is wonderful. I traveled to Africa on a family vacation some years ago and really enjoyed it. I would love to go back there to photograph the wildlife on safari. It’s one of the most rewarding and satisfying types of photography.
What is something valuable you’ve learned through photography that you might not have otherwise learned?
I have definitely come to appreciate the old saying that “patience is a virtue”! Happily waiting for the right moment, not giving up too soon, being optimistic, and seeing the job through are all personal qualities that have perhaps been enhanced by my photography. I’m also very aware that as a photographer I have learned to see the world around us differently. Details really matter. The beauty of nature, its power, and its timelessness. Living in the beautiful country that I now do, I never take my environment and surroundings for granted. They are priceless and to be treasured. I am sure that my photography has been the catalyst for this appreciation.
How do you define success as a photographer?
Making an image and going back over and over again to look at it, because it means so much to me. Photography is about conveying a story or recording a moment in time. Instead of words, we use a single picture. It’s very powerful.
Do you have a favorite book? If so, what is it and why?
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. When I was very young my school class teacher drew images of the characters in the book in the form of posters, and affixed them to the classroom wall. Those images have remained with me all my life. I was disappointed when the movie was released, as the characters were not as I had imagined and recalled them from such a young and impressionable age. Such is the power of imagery, of creativity, and of portrayal.
What are your favorite photography resources, i.e. podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, etc.?
YouTube, although I can’t abide poor presenters.
What’s one place you have not visited yet but want to?
Antarctica!
What is something interesting about you that we might not already know?!
I once spent an entire afternoon drinking beer with Eric Clapton in the Artists’ Bar at the Royal Albert Hall in London, when I worked there long ago.
What’s your most thrilling photography moment?
Without a doubt, shooting the NASA space shuttle lifting off from Cape Canaveral in 1983. I had just bought a Konica FS-1, the first SLR camera with a built-in motor drive to advance the film, which was perfect for the task. At that time, you could park up on the road around 4 miles from the launchpad to watch the launch. I will never forget the tremendous roar of the rockets and the rumbling of the ground beneath us as the Shuttle left the pad. An amazing, almost spiritual experience. My pictures were pretty sharp too!
What’s your favorite image by another photographer?
Does ‘Earthrise ‘count? By the recently late astronaut William Anders, taken from the moon. It is profound beyond the imagination and an image that will resonate with mankind forever.
Who has influenced your work?
I admire many photographers around the world, but I like to think that I shoot with my own style. Andris Apse has inspired me to capture New Zealand landscapes better.
Were there any “ah ha” moments for you while learning photography?
The transition from film to digital was a huge learning experience for me. The exposure histogram is the greatest gift of digital photography, now followed by mirrorless focus peaking. I love to teach both. They change your life!
What do you like about post-processing?
The ability to self-critique.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration?
Magazine and competition submissions. I don’t do competitions personally, but I enjoy seeing the best work of others. The talent out there is amazing.
