Lutyens Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral
Lutyens Crypt, underneath the Metropolitan (Catholic) Cathedral. Edwin Lutyens original design for the Cathedral would have made it the second largest in the world but the onset of World War II stopped construction (the unfinished crypt was used as an air raid shelter during the war). After the war a lack of funds meant that a new design was necessary and the new cathedral stands on top of the crypt.
This was my first time down in the crypt and it’s a beautiful space. I’m only really familiar with it as CAMRA hold a beer festival down there every year – seems like an odd place for a beer festival? It’s definitely worth a visit, beer drinker or not.
Waterfront
I wanted to get a photo of the Liverpool skyline with the Liverpool One wheel in it before it was taken down but only managed to get over to the Wirral on Friday night when it was very windy and the river was very choppy, so no nice reflections and I couldn’t get an angle to get the wheel without a building in front.
There’s going to be a new wheel in front of the Echo Arena but I think it’s a real shame that the Liverpool One wheel couldn’t have stayed where it was – it was a real attention grabber, a talking point and gave Chavasse Park some purpose. The site in front of the arena is only going to afford a good view of, well, the Arena and the Albert Docks. Interesting if you’ve only come to see a concert and have 15 minutes to spare but it’s not showing the city off in the best possible way (having said that, if they build it side on in front of the Arena it’ll be a lot easier to see from the Wirral…:)
Cains Brewery
Last on in the series of dubiousness. This is Cains Brewery, right on the edge of the city centre. It’s a weird but fantastic building – I’ve had a few attempts at doing the long exposure thing here and this is the best I’ve managed. It’s difficult to try and do the long exposure shots here as it’s on the edge of a very long road and standing at the side of it with a tripod makes people think you’re a cozzer with a speed gun – been called a few nasty things trying to get this shot!
Say Hello & Wave Goodbye…
Taken in mid-March, this is another shot I wasn’t entirely happy with, mainly due to annoyance with myself! I only had the one lens with me this day, an old 50mm that I don’t use enough and was trying to force myself to get acquainted with properly – would have loved to have seen this shot when I had the 10-20 with me!
Liverpool ONE Wheel II
Again, I’ve gone for different shots (or different processing at least) of the big wheel. I had a fun afternoon wandering around it – was great to see how pleased people were with it. There’s rumours we might get a permanent wheel – I hope so.
Liverpool ONE Wheel
I’ve had a go at getting some different shots of the wheel – I’m sure someone has already taken all of these shots as the wheel has been togged to death but it doesn’t hurt to try….there’s a short video down there as well, which is a new thing for me.
Creativity
Another one from the archives – a long exposure on Church Street from last year when the Capital of Culture banners were up.
In other news, I was made redundant from my full time job on Tuesday so it looks like I’ll have more time to update the blog, maybe even full-time if I can put a good enough business case together, who knows?
Foggy Chinese Arch – Chinatown, Liverpool
One from the archives – this is the arch at the top of Chinatown, just before the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Rainy Days – Liverpool
The recent atrocious weather has been putting me off getting outside with the camera which is silly really – the rain makes for some interesting shots.
So I reasoned that I should get out and get some rainy day shots – it was only spitting when I left the office but by the time I got into town it was torrential so most of these shots are taken huddling under some sort of cover!
Bricks removed – Mathew Street
Spotted this sign on Mathew Street – walk past this wall all the time and I’ve never noticed it.
Exchange Flags at Night
Exchange Flags at night – someone has put up these cool spotlights that seem to get moved around a fair bit, so every time I go back the light has changed. They’re currently pointed at the floor in front of the statue and at the newsroom war memorial in the wall near the walkthroughs. Was after an old black and white movie feel here.
I’ve also started working on a 365 project – for those who don’t know what a 365 project is, the idea is you take a photo every single day for a year. There’s no particular theme to mine but to keep it interesting (to me anyway!) I am sticking to the one camera body (my old D40, assuming it lasts the course) and an old Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens – manual metering, manual focus, nothing automatic in other words. You can find the first six days of my 365 here.
Emerge, blinking, into the daylight….Exchange Flags
I’ve googled the life out of it but I still can’t find an original source for the quote “They emerged, blinking, into the daylight….” – maybe my search engine skills ain’t what they used to be, any help much appreciated….this is the walkthrough from Exchange Flags to Old Hall Street – I’ve got loads of ideas about how to best shoot this space but this is the only one I’ve tried so far.
Whilst I’ve got your attention, I’ve completely rebuilt the portfolio side of my site – please have a look. All feedback & comments welcome!
Presbyterian Illustration II – Toxteth, Liverpool
More graffiti on the hoardings of the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Toxteth.
Presbyterian Illustration – Toxteth, Liverpool
Graffiti on hoardings around the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Toxteth. Not had chance to get out with my camera much recently so diving back into the archives. This was taken in April – these boards are always full of graffiti and it is constantly changing.
Random – Trueman Street, Liverpool
A Morris Marina on Trueman Street, parked on top of a body outline, with a parking ticket. Bit of randomness is good every now and then.
Victoria Street Reflection
Been a while since I’ve done any reflection shots so here’s one of Victoria Street. The building on the left is one of my favourites in Liverpool, reminds me of the Flat Iron building in New York.
I ♥ Sex – Hockenhall Alley, Liverpool
I ♥ Sex – straight to the point, that’s how I like my dusty scribblings….scribbled onto a very dusty wall in Hockenhall Alley.
Knight Flyer – Knight Street, Liverpool
Cool poster I saw on Knight Street – after a bit of digging I sort of managed to track down the artist who produces these, his prints are available here.
Emergency Exit From Air Raid Shelter – Hockenhall Alley, Liverpool
Another feature (from the same wander about as the last shot) I’d never noticed despite walking it past it God knows how many times, found this painted sign in Hockenhall Alley off Dale Street. I’ve gone for it with the processing here – loads of layers, textures etc – was going for a book cover type image.
John Nelson Limited – Hockenhall Alley, Liverpool
I’ve no idea who or what this company was – found this door and sign in Hockenhall Alley off Dale Street.
St.Lukes, home of the FAB Collective
St.Lukes, or the bombed out church or even the bombdie. Located on the corner of Berry Street and Leece Street, St.Lukes will be home to the first exhibition from the FAB Collective, a group of Liverpool based photographers who will be exhibiting in the church from the 1st to the 30th of August. This page on our website gives some more details or keep an eye on the groups activities on Facebook or Twitter. Come down and see us!
Can’t hear no buzzers and bells
Different processing on this shot of the smashed up pinball machine – I wanted to bring out the detail & textures on the table rather than just the colours…
I’ve also started adding a link that allows you to buy a print of the image – this link will be on all new photos and I will be going through and adding it on the older images as and when I get chance. If there is a particular image you would like this adding to, please let me know and I’ll add it to that one straight away!
