BONGANI Digital Images & Photography

 While in college, I became friends with a classmate who was a professional photographer. I soon became his apprentice, and as long as he was willing to share, I was willing to learn everything he knew about photography. I began shooting everything in sight, standing on the street corners practicing "panning" technique, while waiting for the bus, taking pictures of everything around me. A costly proposition, however an experience that sharpened my eye for things in motion!

 At the height of the "Rocky" era in Philadelphia, Hollywood red carpet events became normal sights around the city. Movies like "Rocky," "Blowout" and "Trading Places" were all shot downtown, and I began following Hollywood through the back streets of center city. A regular around the sets of these movies, trying to capture anything I could on film. It’s amazing, as I think back on those days I was often the only photographer around,…talk about pre-social media.

 One of my career highlights to date, happened on one of those sets. After shooting for 4 hours in the freezing cold, one of the producers of "Trading Places," starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, & Jamie Lee Curtis gave me the best angles to shoot the Independence Hall scene. He then walked me directly to Eddie’s trailer to introduce me..

 Although it was an amazing experience, the bitter cold of the Philadelphia winter, extinguished any dreams I had of becoming a paparazzi. My attention turned to photographing sports, incorporating another childhood passion of basketball, during the iconic era of Julius "Dr J" Irving and the 76ers. To date, that passion for capturing high-energy action portraits, still intrigues my mind's eye. Through my lens I also witnessed the birth of a golf dynasty in 97 as a young Tiger Woods took to the fairways of Augusta National. I realized then that the best seat in the house was through a photographic lens.

 Today, my subjects include Athletes, Wildlife and the CityScapes of America. I enjoy every opportunity I come across to create stylish artistic designs. Feel free to peruse the site, and thanks for visiting Bongani Digital Images & Photography!  

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike Jones

                                                        "Committ to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" Psalms 16:3

                                                                          (Bongani defined means "to be grateful" “thankful” )