Places Brief- Manchester Trip

On Tuesday 22nd February the group enjoyed a day out in Manchester. The trip took in sights such as Urbis, The Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry. The trip was supposed to enable us to see the sights and get influence for shots in the spectacular setting of Salford Quays and the City of Manchester. I have visited Urbis previously and really enjoyed what I saw, each level is full of information and history influential to Manchester such as sport including sections on The Busby Babes and George Best, then there is a section celebrating the huge success that Manchester television has had and all the people who made Manchester famous such as Anthony Wilson and Steve Coogan, even Fred Dibnah, Bolton's famous steeplejack had a dedicated space.

Old Trafford in the distance taken from the viewing platform

of The Imperial War Museum

A typical back street setting in Manchester City Centre

(Below)

A shot overlooking Salford Quays

Outside we started snapping at the ski-sloped building and started prowling Manchester's streets looking for photographic influences. The Big Wheel was a target but I must say I found conditions tough and the lighting was a issue as it was a cloudy day and overcast. We eventually moved on to the Lowry Centre and took in the settings around us. The luxury apartments that surround the canal were ideal photo opportunity's but as a Manchester United fan the sight of Old Trafford in the distance became my focal point.

We each then paid 45p and bravely got in the rickety lift all the way to the viewing platform at the very top of the museum. The wind was blowing and the temperature must have been -0c but the views we had were spectacular. We could see all over the peak district and Manchester but once again my focus was on The Theatre Of Dreams Old Trafford which was only a stones throw away. I would have liked a longer lens as mine is only a 18-55mm so it is a distant shot. Not to be beaten I decided to go directly to Old Trafford and photograph the ground close up. I was pleased with what I got but I want to go again with a different lens and get better shots. Overall I am pleased with what the trip offered, I got some ideas developed and I am now going to put them to plan and hopefully develop some great shots.

We moved on to the Imperial War Museum and looked at The Don McCullin Exhibition. It was amazing and I really enjoyed looking at his work. It is incredible to look at images of war but also to think what was seen behind the lens and knowing that every image was real, some people were dead in the photographs and to look at death in a photo is always surreal. I was disappointed that we weren't allowed to take photo's in the exhibition but I understand why due to protection of images and copyright issues.

This Image was Don McCullin's first published photograph. McCullin sent it to The Observer in 1958 after one of the men in the photograph killed a Policeman. This image launched Don McCullin's career.

This image was taken during the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The image also earned McCullin a part time contract with The Observer

This 1964 image shows McCullin helping a woman to safety in Cyprus during the battles between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. This was McCullins first war assignment

This image was taken in February 1968 and shows soldiers running from Sniper fire in The Battle of Hue in Vietnam

Photography enabled McCullin to work all over the world for The Sunday Times covering Wars in Vietnam, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Nigeria. But in 1982 McCullin was refused permission by the Government to photograph and cover The Falklands War. McCullin appealed and his editor allowed him to go, however the permission was denied by The Royal Navy. But why was McCullin not allowed to go? Is this due to times changing. It was acceptable back in the early 60's and 70's to cover War in such a way but maybe laws had changed and prevented McCullin going. Rupert Murdoch bought The Sunday Times in the 1981 and maybe that change in ownership had an impact on McCullin's ban from The Falkland's

I find Don McCullin's Photographs to be exeptional and i find it amazing that all these photographs were taken either during or just after conflict. The exhibition in The Imperial War Museum North is brilliant and i would urge anybody that hasn't been to go and experience it before it finishes.