by Mike Rowley
If you’ve already read our earlier blog celebrating 45 years of The Flash Centre, you’ll know we’re marking this milestone not just by looking back, but by shining a light on the people who’ve made TFC what it is today, our customers, our team, and their stories.
This post is one of those stories, mine.
Like Many Journeys, It Started by Accident
Like many photographers, I didn’t pick up a camera with a grand plan or creative vision in mind. I stumbled into photography, quite literally, through work (this work to be specific). Fresh out of university and facing a bleak job market in the middle of a recession, I joined The Flash Centre as a “stopgap,” thanks to my uncle, Chris Whittle. That stopgap turned into 16 years (and counting), and along the way, I fell in love with taking photos.
How Street Photography Helped Me Learn Photography (and Cameras)
Back when TFC was based at the Brunswick Centre in London, I used to borrow cameras from the rental department and take to the streets. I didn’t know what I was doing, but London has a habit of rewarding curiosity, especially when you’re holding a camera.
The early shots were, frankly, not great. But I was learning every time I tried something new: aperture priority, back-button focus, bracketing, manual mode. It was the perfect blend of trial-and-error and hands-on gear testing. These walks helped me understand photography on a practical level and gave me empathy for what beginners go through when navigating new cameras.
I stood in the rain for hours to take this shot in Grenwich, London. I was still figuring out the 5D Mk II I'd borrowed from TFC, and I remember keeping it dry with my rain coat (I got wet instead)! © Mike Rowley, 2011
Another one from Greenwich on the 5D Mk II. I still like this shot today. Black and White is more forgiving I find, and a great place to start whilst you're building up your confidence. © Mike Rowley, 2011
Finding a Style (and Why It’s Still Evolving)
I’d love to say I had a mentor or creative spark early on, but really, my inspiration came from being surrounded by passionate photographers at work. Today my style changes one year to the next, and is largely based on what I see and what I like from other photographers on social media. On a recent trip to Taipei, I felt inspired to recreate a vintage black and white film look with my X-T4. After some experimenting I discovered that pairing at a high ISO (12,800) with the ACROS+R film simulation gave a really nice film grain look, and from there I all but maxed out my highlight and shadow settings to get an intense contrast in camera. I loved how the images came out, and it was such a fun setup to shoot with, that I can see it staying in my user presets for some time yet.
The view from the Taipei National Palace Museum, using my newly discovered black and white film recipe. © Mike Rowley, 2025
You'll start to notice a theme. I love a lens flare. © Mike Rowley, 2025
My Gear Journey: From Borrowed Kit to Film Fridge Finds
Borrowed Beginnings: Testing the Waters
One of the perks of working at The Flash Centre was borrowing gear from the rental department. Most weekends I’d take something out and hit the streets of London, figuring things out as I went.
The Canon 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III were early favourites, solid full-frame workhorses, but a bit much for casual use. Great image quality, just not cameras that made me want to shoot for fun.
The Canon M5, though, really clicked with me. Compact, capable, and easy to carry, it gave me my first real taste of creative freedom. Autofocus could be unreliable, and the lens lineup was limited, but some of my favourite early photos came from that camera.
One of my favourite images shot with the Canon M5. Eilean Donan Castle, West Highlands of Scotland © Mike Rowley, 2017
My all time favourite shot with the Canon M5. Taken a few minutes later in the same place. There was something about the light that day that made photography feel easy. © Mike Rowley, 2017
The Camera That Changed Everything: Fujifilm X-T4
The first camera I paid for with my hard earned cash (as opposed to borrowing from the TFC rental department) was the Fujifilm X-T4, and I’ve never looked back. I love the size, the lenses, the XF 90mm f/2 and XF 23mm f/1.4 are my favourites, and the fact that Fujifilm’s film simulations mean I don’t need to dive into editing software. Most of my favourite images are JPEGs straight out of camera. That said, I always shoot RAW too, just in case I change my mind or want to experiment later.
What keeps me loyal to the X-T system is how much it encourages me to shoot. It’s fast, light, discreet, and doesn’t get in the way. It feels like a camera built for photographers, not for marketing specs.
Sometimes luck gets the shot. This was right place, right time (right lens). Yala National Park, Sri Lanka, X-T4 200mm F/4.8 - the light was terrible and the Leopard, moving! © Mike Rowley, 2024
I love animals, especially when they feel confident enough to have their portrait taken. I do wish I hadn't chopped her feet off though. Nara, Japan. © Mike Rowley, 2024
Film Photography: Slow, Deliberate, and Addictive
In the last couple of years, I’ve started shooting 35mm film. When I’m working more seriously, it slows me down in the best possible way, forcing me to really think about each frame. It’s made me a better digital photographer too. You think more. You waste less. You feel that spark of anticipation waiting to see your results, and in a world where everything’s instant, that’s pretty magical.
But film isn’t just for the serious stuff. It’s also my favourite way to shoot for fun, friends, family, weddings, holidays, my point-and-shoot film camera always comes along. There’s nothing like the joy of those candid moments on film, and sharing the results always gets the best reactions.
When I’m back in the UK, I treat the film fridge at TFC like a sweet shop, I grab one of everything and see what surprises me.
Lessons From a Decade of (Sometimes Blurry) Images
It took me years to start producing images I was consistently happy with. I’ve faced all the classic issues, blurry shots, missed focus, weird exposures (which i'm increasingly starting to embrace). But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is don’t force it. I used to drag myself through rainy London days feeling like I had to shoot something worthwhile. Now, I shoot when it feels right, and I enjoy the process far more.
Some of my favourite shots are simply of my wife, who luckily loves being in front of the camera. They might not win awards, but they mean the world to me.
Again this is the Fujifilm X-T4, with my own custom recipe applied to give it the vintage film look. Osaka, Japan. X-T4 35mm f/3.2. © Mike Rowley, 2024
With a larger sensor, or if i'd taken the time to exposure bracket I could have "fixed" the over exposed sky. In truth, I feel like this better represents the alleyway. Naples, Italy. © Mike Rowley, 2024
The Printing Journey: Making Memories Tangible
I’m currently diving into the world of printing my own photos, and let me tell you, the learning curve is real. Why does it look one way on screen and another on paper?! But I’m sticking with it, and I’ll be documenting that process in a future blog for anyone else in the same boat.
If you shoot for fun, don’t let your favourite images live and die on your phone. A good printer and some beautiful paper can turn them into lasting memories, even if you're still figuring it out like me.
My journey into printing has just started, and i'm mostly happy with how my first prints are coming out. Getting the printer profiled and the colours matched is next on my to-do list. Oh, and investing in some better photo paper!
Two Underrated Bits of Gear That Make a Big Difference
1. A reverse-opening backpack — mine’s an old Manfrotto, but Think Tank makes great ones tool, which I will admit, i've been eyeing up as my lens repertoire grows and my current bag stays the same size. It gives me peace of mind in busy cities and lets me change lenses without ever putting my bag on the ground.
2. A decent photo printer — still early days, but I already love the joy of holding my favourite shots in my hands. If you're not printing your work, you're missing out on a huge part of the photographic experience.
Why Being a Photographer Helps Me Support Other Photographers
At TFC, I’m the Marketing Manager, so if you see any new products, promos, or newsletters, that’s me. But I think the most valuable part of my role is being able to relate to our customers. I’ve been overwhelmed by camera settings. I’ve shot in auto for too long. I’ve struggled with lighting gear and confused CRI with colour temperature.
I get it, and so do the rest of the team. While some of us at TFC have formal photography training, I didn’t take that route. I learned the hard way, through trial and error. That’s exactly why we’re so passionate about helping other photographers on their own journeys, because we’ve been there too.
I always like to photograph the details, particularly where colours pop. This flower was shot in Singapore botanical gardens. X-T4, 23mm, f/4. © Mike Rowley, 2022
And this vending machine stood out too much against the Saporo snow to miss the attention of my camera. X-T4, 35mm, f/5.6. © Mike Rowley, 2023
Advice for Beginners: Don’t Go It Alone
If you’re starting out and feeling overwhelmed by lighting or gear choices, don’t just read online reviews. Talk to someone. Whether it’s us at The Flash Centre or another trusted retailer, find a team that wants to help you succeed (and not just sell you something you don't need).
Ask questions. Borrow gear. Experiment. And remember, you don’t need to be the best to enjoy photography. You just need to keep shooting.
A Final Thought, and an Invitation
If this blog resonated with you, we’d love to hear your story too.
As we reflect on 45 years of TFC, we want to showcase the journeys that brought you into photography. Whether you're a working pro or just starting out, your perspective matters. Let’s celebrate this anniversary together, with our words, our advice, our photos, and our passion.
Get in touch with me if you’d like to be featured. I can’t wait to share more stories, just like this one.
