Photography…mostly.

Category: City Photography

I took this city photography in and around Scotland, but there are a few from cities beyond. They are good for exploring architecture and textures,  trying to knit a view of interest while excluding extraneous detail. Random things happen in cities.

  • Stirling’s monumental little secret

    Stirling’s monumental little secret

    View from Nave
    I have visited many churches and this one is stunning. The 14th century timber roof beams, graphic windows, and an organ to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

    Fine buildings become special when the people who own, run and maintain them not only appreciate their wonder, but share it freely with others. It is staffed by friendly volunteers, knowledgeable in its construction and heritage. I visited this church many times and always received a warm welcome. If your are looking for discovery and enrichment while in Stirling, take an hour and make this part of your day. Judging by the visitors book, the rest of the world knows all about Stirling’s monumental little secret too.

    View of Altar

    This is my first Church Panorama taken near the Altar. Church of Holy Rude website here.

     

  • Thomas Coats Memorial Church

    Thomas Coats Memorial Church

    I’ll keep this light on words as i think this building speaks for itself. This is Coats Memorial Church in Paisley, Renfrewshire. As an Engineering student I sat exams in its cold interior (with a trusty tip-ex bottle of etched maths formulae), but its the gothic exterior that grabs the eye in Paisley’s High Street.  Gargoyles galore. Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist church is named after one of the founders of J & P Coats Ltd, a thread manufacturer. Built in 1894 by Edinburgh architect Hippolyte J Blanc.

  • Steam Train Scotland

    Steam Train Scotland

    Steam Train Scotland

    The new Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway reopened as many enjoyed Steam Train Scotland. Traditional coaches were pulled by “The Great Marquess” No 61994 on inaugural trips between Alloa and Stirling on 15th May. As the train passed by Causewayhead in Stirling I photographed the engine passing the Wallace Monument in the background. There are passionate train enthusiasts. The area was busy with anxious people waiting for the train to pass.

     

    Steam Train Scotland
    The Great Marquess steam engine 61994 in front of the Wallace Monument

     

    The Great Marquess steam engine 61994 departing Alloa
    The Great Marquess steam engine 61994 departing Alloa
    See Olympic Torch Flames Through Alloa

  • Lowry Theatre

    While in Manchester I visited The Lowry Theatre, the home of the works of LS Lowry. As I develop as a Photographer, it is so important to experience a range of visual arts. Seeing with the eye, asking questions why the artist made their choices of context, light, composition, depth, colour etc. This was an excellent display of Lowry’s work. Early sketches in the 1900’s, through oils of his widely recognised Industrial scenes and small ball point sketches. He had a style of his own in representations of people and pets. The people walking as one to/from big smoke-stack factories in single-minded fashion. Whereas the pets seemed to have a life of their own, happy in the landscape, walking against the flow of people. Time very well spent.

    Lowry Theatre, Salford Docks, Manchester
    Lowry Theatre, Salford Docks, Manchester

    The re-development of Glasgow’s old Docks, once neglected then regenerated by the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988 are now transformed into modern office and science buildings. Similarly for Salford Quay. I was in Manchester this week and had a few hours to explore, with my new point’n’shoot Canon G9 camera. The quay has street art which relates to the history of the area. It has opened-up new uses for the Docks. For Football fans, Manchester United’s stadium Old Trafford sits at the edge of these docks (below).

    Old Trafford, Salford Docks
    Old Trafford, Salford Docks

    There is a small sailing school offering hire and instruction in windsurfing and Laser sailing dinghies.

    Ontario Basin Salford Docks
    Ontario Basin Salford Docks

     

    Central Bay Salford Docks
    Central Bay Salford Docks