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Mike Portelly dies
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Mike Portelly, a leading underwater film-maker through the 1980s and '90s, has died at the age of 55.
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He fought a long illness, having been diagnosed with cancer in 2001.
Originally a dentist, Portelly fell in love with diving and underwater photography - initially stills work - in 1976. He has described his experiences over the next four years with the fledgling British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) as 'the cradle of my career', absorbing all that luminaries Peter Scoones, Colin Doeg, Steve Greenaway and others could teach him. He achieved numerous wins in underwater photographic competitions.
In 1980, Portelly took the step into film-making and produced the acclaimed The Ocean's Daughter, using fresh underwater filming techniques and presenting the undersea world with a strong environmental theme.
After its screening at France's Antibes Film Festival, Portelly developed a lasting friendship with Andre Laban, who had been cameraman on Cousteau's Calypso for a decade, and remained very well received in France throughout the rest of his life.
As a professional cinematographer and director between 1980 and 2000, Portelly concentrated mainly on the commercials business, and turned out numerous underwater-themed productions.
Work ranged from advertising swimwear for Speedo to the Cheltenham & Gloucester ads, familiar to British viewers, of 1995 and 2000.
Portelly enjoyed a long association with Diver magazine, and lasting friendship with its publisher, Bernard Eaton. He appeared on numerous occasions at the national Dive Shows, as both a speaker and photo competition judge.
Portelly also remained closely supportive of BSoUP with, for instance, a talk and screening of The Ocean's Daughter to Society members in 2004.
Marine conservation always remained close to Portelly's heart and, at the time of his death, he was planning another film tilted strongly toward conservation issues.
Speaking to Diver in 2003, he said: 'My worst diving nightmare is in the process of happening. I recently read that 90 per cent of the world's coral reefs are dying because of rising sea temperatures, not to mention all the ecosystems destroyed daily.
'It would be tragic if the only way future generations could witness the wonders of nature would be to view films made in our era, but they might become the only visible fossil record of what was but is forever gone.
'Perhaps the time has come for us to 'stop the world' and take a long, hard look at what we're doing and where we're heading, before it's too late. I believe there is still time.'
Away from the sea and film-making, Portelly was a great believer in spiritual healing and contributed to workshops on the subject. He also was passionate about rugby and, when it came to a tipple or two, Guinness - perhaps not surprising given that his mother was Irish.
Mike Portelly is survived by two brothers and two sisters.
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Related links
Mike Portelly website
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