I began working in the field of advertising in the late 1960s and eventually advanced to holding positions with major advertising agencies in both Europe and North America. From there, I went into business for myself, centering on various aspects of photography. Among other things, I became an agent for several photographers and a business which created and provided marketing materials and services to photographers and illustrators worldwide. 

Since 2018, I have been making photographs full-time on self-initiated projects and is based in Oxford.

“Denis Kane, an Oxford based photographer, has a personal visual style and the skills to approach people and to create an intimacy with them. He has a real gift for taking sensitive and impactful portraits of people”
Camilla Brown, curator specialising in photography.

I am intrigued and fascinated by people and their lives; it is my favourite subject to photograph. When photographing people, I strive to attain a level of intimacy with every subject, even if only for brief moments. I do what I can to make them feel both at ease and important at the same time. I approach people with a sensitivity and achieve a connection with them, which allows me to collaborate with them to show their unique personalities.

I like to photograph people on location and use natural light whenever possible. These factors help achieve a sense of reality and a feeling of immersion in the location. I use a TLR Rolleiflex camera, as it allows an eye connection and a more prolonged interaction between myself and the subject, making it a more meaningful encounter for them and me. 

I use film camera for most of my work, as it allows the element of “chance” deriving from the possibility of an accident, as you don’t know exactly how your images will turn out until the film has been developed. I work in both colour and black & white depending on how I visualise the image.
Denis Kane, photographer.