Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bradtke.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was given my first camera in 1976 and I was immediately hooked. At that time, I would photograph anything that caught my eye. I learned to print B&W and I improved my photographic skills under the tutelage of a family friend named F Joseph Kelman. In 1983, I began photographing equestrian events, mostly Western Speed shows. I am still photographing equestrian events but now I am photographing some Dressage and a lot of Eventing. Eventing is a combination of Dressage Cross Country and Show Jumping and is an Olympic sport…
I also like to do more nontraditional forms of Photography like Ultraviolet and Infrared.
Today I work full time at Daytona State College as a Senior Lab tech in the Photography Department and I continue to photograph horse shows and learn new things about photography. There is always something new to learn.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Yes, there have been obstacles and challenges. Equine photography is a very competitive form of photography. Finding your place and not stepping on toes can be hard. Learning the skills needed to excel take time and patience… Learning to do IR and UV is even more challenging because you can’t actually see what the camera is going to see. And being somewhat introverted makes it challenging when I need to interact with people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in Equestrian Sports Photography. I am mostly photographing 3 Day Eventing now. I am still doing Ultraviolet and Infrared photography. I have had my Equine photography published both nationally and internationally.
In April of 2020, Daytona State College transitioned to online only. I started a daily thread on the South East Center of Photography’s Facebook page called the Photo of the Day. The idea is for everyone in the group to share a photograph everyday. I thought that this would help us all stay in contact and give us an outlet for our creativity. I have posted a photo every day on this thread for a year and five months now and the response has been great.
I try to help younger photographers who are interested in learning about the types of photography that I do. I do this because I know I would not be where I am without the help of other photographers in my past.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I guess I have been lucky in the people who I have met who were able to help me learn and grow photographically And being asked to photograph my friends in the beginning to get me started in equine photography.
Contact Info:
- Email: michael.bradtke@gmail.com
- Website: michaelbradtkephotography.com
Image Credits
All images Michael Bradtke
