It had to happen. Our smartphones have become so good and taking and manipulating images, even professional ‘snappers’ are using them.

A photographer from Runcorn is taking it to a new level, with an exhibition at Halton Borough Council’s flagship Brindley Theatre, of pictures taken on his iPhone.

It will be the debut show of work from Mike Cowley, aged 52,  photographer and TV cameraman with 25 years’ experience in the photographic and television industries.

Talented Mike studied Photographic Technology at Manchester Metropolittan University. Based in Runcorn, he has travelled and worked extensively throughout Europe

He said: “I have always interpreted and recorded the world around me through the medium of photography. I work intuitively; reacting and responding to whatever environment I find myself in.

“My subject matter is found in a chance reflection, where a shadow or a shaft of light falls, or in an unexpected juxtaposition of shape, colour or texture.

“More recently the use of the iPhone camera has inspired a turning point in my practice. I was immediately drawn to the ease of use and instant accessibility the camera phone.

“To be able to use a square format has forced me to completely reconsider composition, and explore notions of balance and symmetry. Upon reflection, this format had clearly resonated so strongly with me because of its association with the album covers I loved so much in my youth. These square, graphic images were my introduction to the world of art.

“All the work featured in this exhibition has been taken on the iPhone. It is very important to me that the photographs maintain a spontaneity, and all images are composed on the spot and never cropped. I use a simple app to enhance the images as quickly as possible, and the original image is immediately deleted.” 

His exhibition opens on Monday 12 February and runs until Friday 11 May.