Manchester Day 2014

Brilliant day as usual that gives a real flavour of the diversity and fun to be had in the city. One of my favourite days of the year.

More photos from this event can be found here

Town Hall Statues

Did these a few months ago. Manchester Town Hall is a fantastic building, but I wonder how many look in any detail at the small statues that embellish it. These give an idea of just how amazing they are.

Manchester Day Parade

Sorry it's been a long time since I posted anything but I've had a hard time with my eyes. To put it in a nutshell I'm now blind in my left eye - a serious issue for a photographer - however I can see really well with my right eye so hopefully we can continue snapping away.

So today I went to one of my favourite events, the Manchester Day Parade, and am well pleased with the results (see below). The other change you'll notice is that I'm putting all my stuff on flickr now rather than photobucket - just seems silly to be paying for two hosting sites. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

Further photos from this event can be found here

Manchester Nights

Weather and other activities have reduced the opportunities to shoot footy lately, but I have enjoyed the opportunity to have a go at some more night time work. Very enjoyable - if cold!

Manchester Platform 4

Just over a week ago my beloved home city was trashed. Today I made a visit to see how things had changed in that week. What a fantastic afternoon. Platform 4 were having their annual festival and it was a great atmosphere. Where else would you see an all male deaf dance group, mannequins piled high as performance art and Eastern dance, all of them watched and applauded by proud and enthusiastic Mancs. So many fantastic sights so no apologies about the number of shots here. Great day.

The Wishing Well

One thing I love about Manchester is that you never know what you’re going to find. Just walking through town today and there were a band playing. I took the chance to get some shots of them – visually stunning – music sounded good too.

Their web site describes them as “Beguiling orchestral and lush, The Wishing Well create spellbinding sounds which produce a rich tapestry of mesmerizing folk, pop and rock.”. If you like the photos then check out their web site at this address:

The Wishing Well website

 

World Lacrosse Championships, Manchester, 2010

Went to this today and really enjoyed it. First time I've shot this sport, and it certainly was a fast learning curve - the small size of the ball and the sheer speed of it - certainly challenging.

More photographs from this event can be found here

A slideshow from this event can be found here

Street Musicians

Had a stroll through the city and took some shots of the street performers, particularly musicians, in the city. Manchester has a fantastic range of buskers and artists, and one of the joys of the city is to stroll through it listening to the variety of live music.

Manchester Day Parade

What a fantastic day and the Council and all involved, including Walk the Plank, deserve great credit for this. It was really brilliant - a true testament to the people of this great city - well done everyone and I'm already looking forward to next years.

Statues in Manchester Town Hall

These statues are in Manchester Town Hall, and came about because I wanted to play with my new flashgun (again!). 

First of all is the Great Manchester Scientists John Dalton

followed by James Joule

and finally the bust of Bishop Fraser - who I think opened more churches in Manchester than any other Bishop

Greater Manchester Run

A superb day - this event just gets bigger and bigger - brilliant atmosphere.

Music provided by such great organisations as the Halle

A range of athletes

And no matter how good a photographer you are, you sometimes need to look around you to see what's happening

John Rylands Library

The maginficent library on Deansgate of the University of Manchester. Built in memory of John Rylands, the Manchester merchant, I've wanted to photograph in here for years. Since I bought a new camera body, I thought this was the perfect place to try it out. And I love it - the library and the camera!

The Cream of Manchester

Not so long ago Boddingtons were still brewing in the city – remember the catchphrase “The Cream of Manchester”? Having closed the brewery down and moved production they bulldozed the site, and I was determined to get some shots of the demolition of this Manchester legendary brewery – one that many Mancs will remember with great affection. Another set from the archives.