Mike Southon BSC first gained significant recognition for a series of seven BBC documentaries about the workings of a large hospital in Bolton, England. The series received several awards, including a BAFTA for Best Documentary, a Broadcasting Press Guild Award and the Prix Italia. He subsequently became a principal cinematographer on BBC2's Arena, the long-running arts and culture series, which won five consecutive BAFTAs during the period in which he worked on the programme. He also photographed documentaries for Omnibus, including productions involving the Royal Ballet and Ballet Rambert.
After leaving the BBC, Southon worked as a freelance cinematographer. A substantial part of his career has been in music videos and commercials. He has photographed more than 250 music videos, including George Michael's "Freedom! '90", Guns N' Roses' "November Rain", Prince's "Cream" and Squeeze's "Hour Glass". His work in music video received several awards, including an MTV Award for Best Cinematography for "November Rain" and an MVPA Award for Best Cinematography for "Freedom! '90".
His feature-film credits include Paperhouse, directed by Bernard Rose; Gothic and Prisoner of Honor, directed by Ken Russell; Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster; The Run of the Country and Roommates, directed by Peter Yates; Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights; Snow White: A Tale of Terror; A Kiss Before Dying; The Nutcracker in 3D; and St. George's Day. He also worked on television films including RKO 281, directed by Ben Ross and produced by Su Armstrong, Tony Scott and Ridley Scott.
Southon received an ASC nomination for cinematography for Snow White: A Tale of Terror and a CableACE nomination for the same production. His television work has included Doctor Who, The Little House, U Be Dead, The Mermaid Chair, The Duke and Arena.
Alongside cinematography, Southon has worked as a director and producer. His directing credits include the Disney feature Air Bud: Spikes Back and the short film Bubbles. In more recent years, he has concentrated on producing and directing documentary films concerned with creative practice, including films about painters, printmakers, milliners and opera.
He served as President of the British Society of Cinematographers from 1996 to 1998.