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Iconic images illuminate a life

An 18-year-old Mike Mitchell was at the Beatles’ first U.S. concert, snapping pictures with his 35mm Nikon with no flash. Those photos, which recently sold at auction, show a love of light and shadow that is reflected in his later work.

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Among the highlights of Mike Mitchell's photographs of the Beatles' first U.S. concert on Feb. 11, 1964, is this shot of the Fab Four facing away from the camera, the stage lights outlining their figures.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

The concert at the Washington Coliseum was the band's first on U.S. soil, two days after they appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' Mitchell's pictures from the show, the negatives of which he kept in storage for decades, were recently auctioned in New York.

The concert at the Washington Coliseum was the band's first on U.S. soil, two days after they appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Mitchell's pictures from the show, the negatives of which he kept in storage for decades, were recently auctioned in New York.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Paul McCartney, left, and John Lennon during the Coliseum show. Mitchell's 35mm Nikon had no flash, so he made use of background sources of light.

Paul McCartney, left, and John Lennon during the Coliseum show. Mitchell's 35mm Nikon had no flash, so he made use of background sources of light.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Mitchell snapped the photos and sold them to a magazine, which, he recalled, used them to illustrate an article that disparaged the band and dismissed their popularity as a fad.

Mitchell snapped the photos and sold them to a magazine, which, he recalled, used them to illustrate an article that disparaged the band and dismissed their popularity as a fad.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Ringo Starr at the drums during the Coliseum show.

Ringo Starr at the drums during the Coliseum show.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

Mitchell's photos -- intimate, moody images bathed in sometimes hazy, sometimes glaring light -- were a new angle on some of the world's most-photographed people.

Mitchell's photos -- intimate, moody images bathed in sometimes hazy, sometimes glaring light -- were a new angle on some of the world's most-photographed people.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

A series of images shows McCartney, left, and Lennon on stage.

A series of images shows McCartney, left, and Lennon on stage.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

McCartney and Lennon share a microphone.

McCartney and Lennon share a microphone.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

The reflection from a spotlight illuminates Ringo Starr for one of Mitchell's photos.

The reflection from a spotlight illuminates Ringo Starr for one of Mitchell's photos.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Jelly beans thrown by excited fans littered the stage.

Jelly beans thrown by excited fans littered the stage.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Mitchell's photo of the Beatles' set captures a hazy background; a police officer waits by the stage.

Mitchell's photo of the Beatles' set captures a hazy background; a police officer waits by the stage.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

Mitchell's photo of Ringo Starr, the smoke from his cigarette drifting toward a bright light, foreshadows his later work that plays with similar visuals.

Mitchell's photo of Ringo Starr, the smoke from his cigarette drifting toward a bright light, foreshadows his later work that plays with similar visuals.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

The Fab Four met the press and photographers, including Mitchell, during their visit to Washington.

The Fab Four met the press and photographers, including Mitchell, during their visit to Washington.

Mike Mitchell / REUTERS/Mike Mitchell/Christie's

Mitchell took the negatives of the photos from the concert and news conference (including this close-up focused on Starr's hands) and put them away in a white legal box marked 'Beedles.'

Mitchell took the negatives of the photos from the concert and news conference (including this close-up focused on Starr's hands) and put them away in a white legal box marked "Beedles."

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

A pensive-looking George Harrison, as captured in film by Mitchell.

A pensive-looking George Harrison, as captured in film by Mitchell.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

Mitchell with his camera at an exhibition of the photos in London in June.

Mitchell with his camera at an exhibition of the photos in London in June.

Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

Mitchell at his favorite spot on Hains Point, which he calls his 'satellite office.'

Mitchell at his favorite spot on Hains Point, which he calls his "satellite office."

Marvin Joseph / WASHINGTON POST

Mitchell worked for years as a successful commercial photographer, but he continued to do art photography.

Mitchell worked for years as a successful commercial photographer, but he continued to do art photography.

Copyright Michael Mitchell / MICHAEL MITCHELL

Images from his more recent work showcase his fascination with light and movement.

Images from his more recent work showcase his fascination with light and movement.

Copyright Michael Mitchell / MICHAEL MITCHELL

Mitchell redid his Dupont Circle rowhouse to create a space in which he could explore light and movement in his photos.

Mitchell redid his Dupont Circle rowhouse to create a space in which he could explore light and movement in his photos.

Copyright Michael Mitchell / MICHAEL MITCHELL

Mitchell's 'Lumi-Gnosis' series is typical of his focus on light and reflection.

Mitchell's "Lumi-Gnosis" series is typical of his focus on light and reflection.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

The photographer's struggle with depression lifted as he focused more on his art, but financial troubles followed.

The photographer's struggle with depression lifted as he focused more on his art, but financial troubles followed.

Copyright Michael Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

He eventually had to give up his house because of money problems and moved into a basement apartment -- where he began snapping pictures similar to the 'Luni-Gnosis' series.

He eventually had to give up his house because of money problems and moved into a basement apartment -- where he began snapping pictures similar to the "Luni-Gnosis" series.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

Backlit wisps of smoke drift through a typical Mitchell shot.

Backlit wisps of smoke drift through a typical Mitchell shot.

Copyright Michael Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

After a while in the basement apartment, Mitchell said, he stopped taking photos. In need of money, he pulled the Beatles photos out of their old box.

After a while in the basement apartment, Mitchell said, he stopped taking photos. In need of money, he pulled the Beatles photos out of their old box.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

Mitchell's love of light and shadow is apparent not only in the early work that has won him an instant of fame, but in his later images.

Mitchell's love of light and shadow is apparent not only in the early work that has won him an instant of fame, but in his later images.

Copyright Mike Mitchell / MIKE MITCHELL

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