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Mike Leale
Born 1939
Lives and works in Hastings, UK
www.mikelealephotography.co.uk

There are no hidden meanings or messages in Mike Leale’s
work. After so many years of working as a commercial
photographer and having to strictly adhere to a client brief
or layout, he now simply enjoys the freedom to just go out
and take pictures of what is there. Consequently, Leale
very rarely concentrates on projects but rather just takes
photographs of what appeals to him.

As can be seen from this small folio of his work, it is very
eclectic, and to Leale, it just shows the joy and fun one can
have with an open mind and a camera.
MIKE LEALE was born on Guernsey, Channel Islands. He left in the
1960s to seek his fortune in London as a photographer, having learned
a little about photography while working for the local newspaper.
Initially, Leale found a job as an assistant in a large studio and
eventually started getting his own clients. Most notably perhaps was
Pye Records for whom he shot record sleeves of Sandie Shaw, The
Kinks, Geno Washington and many others. Eventually Leale left to set
up his own studio in Covent Garden, where he stayed for the next
15 years. Leale’s client list included Slazenger, Goodyear, Old Hall,
Milk Marketing Board, Danish Bacon, New Zealand Lamb, Grattons.
GUS, Aristoc, Zales etc. Now retired he still enjoys taking and making
pictures and since retiring has exhibited regularly in Hastings, Battle
and Brighton. Last year he was successful in having a work accepted
for the RA Summer Show, something he hopes to repeat.

Top: Portrait of a Village, 2013,
Photographic Print on Archival Paper.
h: 30cm w: 45cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.
Middle: Urban ‘Scape, 2013, Photography.
h: 30cm w: 50cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.
Bottom: Country Roads, 2013, Photography.
h: 29cm w: 45cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.
Right top: Sunset Panorama, 2013,
Photographic Print on Archival Paper.
h: 30cm w: 65cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.
Right bottom: The Red Paddle, 2013,
Photographic Print on Archival Paper.
h: 25cm w: 45cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.
Next pages: Poppy Panorama, 2013, Photography.
h: 29cm w: 60cm d: 1cm, Artist’s Collection.

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