Meet Mike Cooper | Night Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
When I was growing up, my mom and one of my uncles were always taking pictures at family events. Their mother–my grandmother–was also a photographer, which is pretty amazing considering this would have been from the 1920s and into the Depression up through the ’60s and ’70s. So I guess the idea of photography as a hobby has always been part of my life.

As far as where I have gone with my preferred subject matters, I have a deep interest in cars and automobilia in general, so both cars and gas stations are always high on my list to photograph. And on every vacation my mom and I ever took when I was growing up, we would always stop at churches along the way so she could take pictures of them. These memories led me start to seek out abandoned and forgotten churches to capture them before they disappeared.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In some ways, my night photography may not be that different from others, but I probably go a little overboard with my use of color! I have a few signature colors that I lean on fairly heavily, especially green and blue, and you won’t find many of my finished images without one of those.

When I started in night photography in early 2010, I had no training in photography whatsoever, and even less of an idea about the technical side of night photography–I just knew I liked the look. With work and family responsibilities, traveling to a workshop wasn’t practical so I spent quite a few years working on a trial and error basis, trying to learn from what what seemed to work and what was an utter failure! Within the last several years, I have become friends with other night photographers and that has certainly helped with me both in what I can (and can’t!) do with a camera and definitely much more with what I can do in the digital darkroom.

When I started taking night photos, it was never my goal to create photographs that people wanted to buy. Instead, it was more abut taking photos of things that I thought might look interesting in the dark. Sometimes I just really enjoy the challenge of trying to capture an old, abandoned building in a unique way. One thing that happened that I never expected is the number of people who have become interested in my photos because of their distinctive appearance and that has been fun.

If there is one thing I want people to take away from my photos, it would be the idea of thinking twice about all those old structures you see along the side of the road that look as if they’re long past their prime and to make an effort to consider the history of the buildings and the people who used them instead of thinking about them as eyesores.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a big fan of Saguaro National Park–I mean, who doesn’t love seeing acres upon acres upon even more acres of giant saguaros. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson is pretty fantastic and I would guess is a bit of a hidden gem. Taliesin West is a super example of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and is easy to find just outside of Scottsdale. Moving further north and east, Petrified Forest National Park is simply stunning. And finally, no trip to Arizona would be complete without a visit to Seligman for a stop at the Snow Cap Drive-In for a shake, as well as Angel’s Barbershop & Pool Hall for soaking in the history.

Although I am not a foodie by any means Blanco Cochina in downtown Phoenix is pretty great. For something completely different, the Cornish Pasty Company, also in Phoenix, has somehow managed to make the ordinary not so ordinary. For simple fast food, even though it is a chain, I can’t not stop at In-N-Out burger, I am always in the mood for a #1.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A big shoutout should go to both my wife Karen and my daughter Courtney. Both of them have been supportive through my ever-evolving hobbies. Also, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now without the inspiration provided by Troy Paiva, showing me that it was actually possible to take a photo of something in the dark. Finally, my two closest friends, Ken Lee and Tim Little, have pushed me out of my comfort zone over and over again, not to mention the support and feedback I get from them on a near daily basis. Not only are they a constant source of inspiration and fun, but they have also made me a better photographer many times over.

Instagram: nocturnal_ar_kansas

Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/49954558@N05/ or Nocturnal Kansas on Flickr