36exp Part 2

Ok, so I may have lied earlier. The 36exp photographs are going to be split over 4 posts rather than 3, and here is part 2. Enjoy, and do nip down to the exhibition if you get chance.

Deansgate at Night

Walking back from the gallery opening last week on what was, for Manchester at least, a clear night. Though, being Manchester, there was a lot of light pollution. The Hilton tower, hideous as the building is, looks strangely magnificent illuminated against the sky. Not having a tripod, I had to make do with a lamp post to lean against, but a few of the pictures came out alright.

36exp Part 1

I'm lucky enough to be part of an exhibition curated by MUSEA (Manchester University Society for Emerging Artists) which is starting at the EASA Gallery on Hulme St in Manchester today, 30th Sept and open until 8th Oct. 


The exhibition is a collection of work by 36 artists, all done in film or slide. Each artist is showing a contact sheet of 36 pictures and enlargements of a few of the best pieces. There's going to be a great variety of styles of work on display, well worth a visit if you're in the area. 


My photographs aim to capture people doing things that they love and are important to them in life. They were shot as a set of triptychs, with each photograph showing a different aspect of the activity through the hands, feet and body but without showing the subject’s full face. I was originally interested in the way in which people’s hands express their individuality and emotion whilst engaged in a favourite past-time. This led me to investigate the way in which emotion is conveyed through body language rather than facial expression. These photographs depict close friends and family engaged in their favourite activities. 


Since this was my first work with a) film b) black and white, the whole experience was quite a learning curve for me, and generally I'm very pleased with the way they've turned out (give or take a couple which looked great in colour, but had too many similar tones to work well in monochrome). 


I'm going to post them in three parts, generally showing them as the triptychs they were originally shot as, though a couple of the weaker pictures had been excluded. 


Enjoy part 1, please let me know what you think and drop in on the exhibition if you get the chance to see the rest of the artists.

They've been put up in the order in which they were taken. More from the film, and finally the full contact print will be added over the course of the next week or so. Keep checking to see the rest of the film and please leave feedback.

Fountain's Abbey

My aunt got married in Fountain's Hall at the beginning of September this year. We spent a beautiful morning wandering around the ruins of the Abbey and the grounds.

The wedding itself took place in Fountain's Hall in medieval fancy dress (hence the rather odd attire of the people pictured). Those present at the wedding are able to view a full set of photographs taken by Ian by getting in contact with him.

Fountain's Hall

Please leave dogs outside

National Railway Museum

These photos were taken at the National Railway Museum in York a few weeks ago on the way to a wedding at Fountain's Abbey (pictures to follow later). Unfortunately, the light was very low so a lot of the photographs didn't come out, but these are the pick of the bunch.

Reedham Swing Bridge

So, I managed to miss out this photograph of Reedham Swing Bridge when I added the Broads photos.

Norfolk Broads

I spent a week on the Norfolk (and Suffolk) broads at the beginning of September. Plenty of beautiful misty mornings, complimenting the abundance of sailing boats, windmills and ducks.

The photographer (though obviously I didn't take this one)