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Professional Freelance Photographer
Winter Gardens Refurbishment
In November 2010 work began on restoring Blackpool's Grade-II listed Winter Gardens back to it’s original Art Deco glory. Blackpool Council appointed architects Donald Insall Associates to begin phase one of a restoration process that will take a number of years to complete. The Floral Hall and iconic dome was completed earlier this month, so I thought I’d head down with my camera to take a look.
Blackpool Stargate Transport Depot
Blackpool Stargate Transport Depot
Taken at 03:18pm. Saturday 29th January 2011.
Five years ago I was lucky enough to go “behind the scenes” and photograph life at Blackpool’s Rigby Road Transport Depot. It was a wonderful place to document and it was there that I began to develop my approach and photographic style. The work I produced led to being shortlisted and commissioned by LDC’s This Working Life Award in 2007 and marked the beginning of my exploration of all things Blackpool.
Blackpool Air Show 2010
On Sunday 8th August 2010 thousands of people gathered on Blackpool beach to admire a fabulous air display. The event took place between South and Central piers just after 4pm and began with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which featured a historic Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Bomber. The Breitling Wing Walkers (the world’s only formation wing-walking team) were also there and, to conclude the airshow, the RAF Red Arrows Formation Team performed a spectacular aerobatic display.
Passing Conversations
Taken at 03:11pm on Blackpool Promenade, Lancashire. UK. Thursday 17th December 2009.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon shooting on the wonderful camera that is the Canon 5D Mark II. It’s an absolute pleasure to shoot all my new work with this camera. The superb Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens combined with the 21.1 Megapixel Canon 5D body results in amazing image quality. I must have read countless reviews about this camera over the past year and couldn’t wait to use this camera for myself.
Blackpool Revellers
Taken at 01:05pm in Blackpool, Lancashire. UK. Wednesday 24th June 2009.
I recently read an article entitled ‘Personal Projects Can Make A Difference’ written by Grant Scott for a recent issue of Professional Photographer magazine that inspired me to take a closer look at the current direction of my photographic practice and, more importantly, to continue shooting new images for my personal projects. Like many photographers, personal work is the driving force for my creative inclinations and is an important aspect of any artistic practice.
The Winter Gardens
Taken at 02:19pm in Blackpool, UK. Thursday 22nd January 2009.
The Winter Gardens is home to Europe's second largest theatre (the Opera House) and is one of Blackpool’s most treasured historical buildings. It opened in 1878 and has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey and a host of West End theatre productions over the years. I’ve seen several gigs (including The Arctic Monkeys and The Subways) there and I also had the job of photographing NALGAO’s three-day conference throughout the venue back in October 2008. Although the interior decor needs sprucing up and looking after, I personally think that it’s still one of the town’s better assets.
The Pleasure Beach & South Shore Promenade
Taken around 4:50pm on South Shore Promenade, Blackpool. Tuesday 8th April 2008.
This is a panoramic photograph made from nine images taken of the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool back in April 2008. The backdrop features one of the town’s premier attractions, the Pleasure Beach’s biggest ride, ‘The Big One’. It is Europe’s largest roller coaster rides and certainly needs the panoramic treatment. To the right of the image are several of the new sculptures produced by contemporary artists (for example, those of Sir Peter Blake) that now feature on the newly revamped promenade. It is a great walk from Stargate, past the Pleasure Beach and onwards towards the centre of town, with plenty of attractions to enjoy and things to experience.
Sunbathers On The Promenade
Taken at 3:31pm on Blackpool Promenade. Tuesday 23rd September 2008.
In the summer of 1969, the photographer John Gay was commissioned to produce a photographic assignment documenting English holiday-makers in the town for Country Fair Magazine. This work was featured at the Grundy Gallery in 2006 and the series of photographs offer a remarkable insight into Blackpool culture during the post-war heyday. Almost sixty years on, the photographs I’ve taken in Blackpool over the past two years hope to offer a contemporary view into the character & identity of the resort.
Life On The Sand Dunes
Taken at 2:45pm at Stargate, Blackpool. Saturday 2nd August 2008.
Over the last five days I have frantically been gathering together all my research, contact sheets and notes for my MA course. Next month I will have to hand it all in and that will (hopefully) be the end of my studies (for now!). The only problem with coming to the end of the course is that I have to catch up on some written work, but I’m just constantly drawn to my camera and the thought of being out & about taking photographs. Anyway, I think I’m starting to get some sort of balance to the whole thing and all should be just fine.
Sea Life
Taken at 2:40pm on Blackpool Beach. Sunday 13th July 2008.
I began work on making a book featuring some of my favourite photographs I’ve taken in Blackpool over the years. It will include a diverse photographs not featured on this website, but are hopefully quite interesting nonetheless. I took this photograph yesterday and it shows holiday-makers making the most of the lovely sunshine and new promenade.
The World Famous Seagull
Taken at 12:17pm on Blackpool Promenade Bridge. Monday 17th December 2007.
Since I started my documentary project on Blackpool in 2006 I have taken thousands of photographs, so every now and again there are photographs that I don’t spot straight away during the editing process. Editing and revisiting my work on a regular basis can help re-shape and re-imagine the whole feel of the series. I recently came across this photograph I took six months ago during this process and it features two locally well known subjects; the art deco of the old Palace Discotheque and the world famous Seagull.
The Living Statue
Taken at 2:03pm on Blackpool Promenade. Saturday 14th June 2008.
A walk along the promenade reveals the living statue, one of a number of street performers providing light entertainment for Blackpool tourists during the summer months. Blackpool is synonymous with providing popular entertainment for the masses, but I wanted to explore what is available on street level (there is certainly more to the town’s ‘pleasure identity’ than The Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Tower). This location (opposite Central Pier) is a popular hot spot for local street vendors, performers and beggars as there are usually many passers-by along the promenade.