Photography In Manchester Tuesday January 10, 2006
I wrote a somewhat critical and negative appraisal of Manchester recently and want to balance it with a more specific, and perhaps more favourable commentary. Certainly, one with some practical benefits: ideas for photography in Manchester.
In the centre, Albert Square has some nice cobbles in front of an impressive Town Hall:
In December, there’s a craft fair and market stall. I enjoyed it the first time – fairy lights, festive vibes, that kind of thing; but since then I’ve avoided it for the same reasons I have a man-dislike of shopping – far too crowded and claustrophobic. With some consolations I suppose, like this pretty scene, but I avoid the occasion now:
There are some interesting alleys around Albert Square:
There are numerous parks; here’s the lake at Platt Fields:
In the summer, the parks run various festivals. The biggest and best, called Garden of Delights, has sadly been discontinued:
Light, as always, transforms everything and is sometimes so beautiful it’s reason enough to take a photo. Rooftops of West Didsbury:
There’s an impressive old cathedral within walking distance of the main shopping area. I once helped facilitate a workshop there. I was interested in Chinese feng shui and by making the tea and helping out, I attended for free:
Entering Manchester centre from the cathedral, down Deansgate, you find examples of the considerable re-development that’s occurred over the last 5-10 years. Number 1 Deansgate is an exclusive residential block with exclusive prices, and further down you find this equally impressive building near the Manchester Evening News:
There’s a jazz festival every summer. I quite enjoy it, but sadly about 75% of the music is not really jazz. As with the genre as a whole, the idea of ‘fusion’ has taken hold to such an extent it’s lost its traditional character. Famous players like Courtney Pine regard this as some kind of evolution. It’s not – it’s a dilution and a loss, because jazz is popularly and commercially unpopular, and thus difficult to pursue. Many of the acts at the festival don’t even claim to be jazz but play nonetheless, consistent with the general trend (incidentally this nice lady, called Kirsty, is great):
The airport is a major feature of the city; these council houses were closed up because, I thought, the flight path made them intolerable – but they’ve become inhabited again:
The war museum was a major investment a few years ago, as part of a re-development plan at Salford Quays. It’s worth visiting, although the area still feels dead and soul-less:
This is Lyme Park, a vast place bordering Stockport and Cheshire with views back onto Manchester:
The new Millennium Quarter is modern and attractive, and for the last two years the council has installed a pay-ride wheel over the Xmas period, that has also spent time in Paris:
Trams were re-introduced about twelve years ago. A visiting friend once wanted to see them which I couldn’t understand, but I suppose it’s fun to see them:
This abandoned church is in the Ancoats area, a council house wasteland. The sign says “Miracle Church” I like this shot for its deadpan aesthetic: the street light in the day time, the anonymous walker, the car crossing the junction, together with the flower baskets creates quite a surreal atmosphere:
Football is of course a major aspect of the city. The first of these was taken on a wintry and misty day at what’s called Hough End playing fields, and the second shows a moment from a match day at the new Manchester City stadium:
And finally, this is in the heart of the city near to the train station. Called Piccadilly Gardens, it’s one of the many areas that’s been cleaned up and redeveloped. This is an unusually interesting shot, taken from a high platform over the top of a restaurant – normally a prohibited area, but I could access it as a photographer covering a public event:
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