Herb Parkin

"The limitation of our photography is within ourselves." Ernst Haas. The first time Herb put words and images together, and long before the presence of 'The Web' as we know it, he enjoyed an audience of half a million readers -as the regular photographic columnist for the Hong Kong based 'Asia Magazine'. Born at the close of WWII on a council estate in England's industrial north and orphaned at age 13, Herb was 'taken in' by a church. A theological degree led him into a decade of successful though (to quote Herb) 'short-sighted church/community-based' ministry across Australia. Thus disillusioned in church, he found a greater 'reason for being' and cause for celebration -in photography! Fulfilling a childhood dream Herb then wandered the world with his camera -receiving many accolades for his 'contribution'. His first 'coffee-table' book appeared in 2003. Today, 'retirement' gives Herb the opportunity, whilst sharing many of his often provocative and mystical images, to reflect and write upon a colourful and often contradictory life-journey.