For a street with a pretty grand name in the centre of one of the larger cities in Britain, St. James’ Street is a rather pokey back alley. I like here the gang of urban pigeons to bottom left — the random chair — and the “Lewis Bet” sign, if that’s not a seedy backroom bookie’s I don’t know what might be.
Today was Joe’s bithrday. Amazingly, I seem to as of today be the parent of a teenager. Yet it was a win-win situation for him, because almost the first thing that happened today was that we got the phone call telling us it was a snow day, thus a day off school. But he didn’t lie around doing nothing — I took him into Manchester instead, where it was just as revoltingly snowy.
Perhaps it’s a political statement. Perhaps it’s a metaphor for someone’s life: perhaps my own. Perhaps it’s just a picture of a car park barrier. Your call.
It must be nearly spring. Both the crocuses and the campaign banners for this year’s Student Union elections have come out right on cue. The pigeons seem unmoved by either, however.
Sometimes you don’t even realise you’ve got the shot until it’s been sitting on your camera all day then you upload it. This was just a general scene but once I saw how glorious her hair was she became its obvious subject. Had to crop it down a lot, hence its loss of sharpness and increased grain — but that’s then helped by going monochrome.
I know we were here less than a week ago, with the dragon, but he’s moved on, and this was the best picture I got today to celebrate a strange atmospheric condition in Manchester this morning; an odd blue cast to the light, a weird dryness in the air and a burning yellow ball above, giving nostalgic reminders of times long past. It was very pleasant. I like here how the Corn Exchange is reflected in the glass.
The title of this post is taken from the graffiti in the background. I hope he did have a good day, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
This creature suddenly appeared in Exchange Square today. But I think we’re safe — it appears to be tied down. The guy in front seems keener to take a picture of something else, anyway, suggesting he isn’t feeling threatened.
Manchester Victoria station is much improved by the recent renovations, but actually this picture is taken in the non-reconstructed part; squatting under the [insert name of current corporate sposnor] Arena, this was a rare burst of light. Nicely illuminated these guys waiting for the 12:whatever to Wigan, though. And was I arriving in the city late, or going home early? I’m not saying, Possibly both…
This rail bridge takes the train (in this case a freight) between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations. The building in the background is the Faraday building, late of the University but now empty and awaiting demolition. I like the general drabness of this shot — very January, although it was a sunny and crisp day today.
Being 42 