Steve Howe

Hi. I'm Steve Howe. Originally from Liverpool, I now live with wife Philippa and daughters Eve and Cleo in the beautiful city of Chester in northwest England. My eldest daughter Kama is married to Eric and lives in Washington DC USA with my grandchildren Emily and Dylan. My other daughter Io lives in Frome, Somerset with Gavin and is about to present gran'child number three! I'm a lucky man. I am the owner/photographer/web designer/washer up/dogsbody of 'The black & White Picture Place' (http://www.bwpics.co.uk), which was established in 1990 and deals with traditional photography- portraiture, weddings and the like but especially fine framed handmade prints of Chester. Liverpool, people etc. I like to use 'classic' equipment of most of this- old Rolleiflex cameras, ancient enlargers, trays of noxious chemicals... But these days I'm doing more digital stuff and my photographic restoration service (http://www.bwpics.co.uk/renovation) is particularly popular. I must admit to being completely addicted to playing the mandolin. An indifferent guitar picker for years- never really got off on it- I love my Fender mandolin to bits, especially so since acquiring a decent little amplifier to go with it. My musical tastes include Russian and Klezmer, Latin/South American, Welsh & Irish harp music, African, blues 'n' jazz ... been mucking about with a bit of Bach recently too. Especially I love attempting to play the astonishing songs of my friend Dave Greenald, some of which you should definitely listen to here: http://www.myspace.com/davidgreenald. I also bash a darbuka around a bit and have been known to tinkle the odd triangle. Other passions: cooking, especially curries, long walks with wife 'n' dog, staring into space (increasingly so as time passes), drinking good beer in the pub and cheap wine at home, reading, Macintosh computers, old movies, back yard gardening, philosophical & theological debate (arguing the toss), wondering, wondering, wondering how to make just a little money... For years now, I've written and illustrated my history and guide to this fair city- 'Chester: a Virtual Stroll Around the Walls' which I invite you to visit at- http://www.bwpics.co.uk/chester.html. This site urgently needs sponsors/advertisers!