My Statement

THE NORTHERN QUARTER, MANCHESTER

The Northern Quarter is an area in Manchester full of artistic talent and people. From my first visit, I was completely enthralled by the bohemian, arty vibe, so I wanted to advertise this area, not just to fellow arty folk, but to anyone in general who was open to a more vibrant, energetic area.

This maybe a generalisation, but I feel more people go to the globalised section of Manchester like Market Street where all the major shops are but perhaps this is why the area is unique.  Perhaps the fact that you have to stumble upon it, adds to its impact. If you want a different, more fulfilling experience where there are not just shops, but art and culture, then the Northern Quarter is the place to go and be seen.

The photographs I chose represent the kind of businesses you would find in the Northern Quarter. Although the buildings may look ‘rustic’ when you look at my shots, I feel they display a contemporary ethos of our time, therefore combining a mix of old and new. It is almost like the Northern Quarter is holding on to the past skeleton of the architecture, but at the same time, embracing the future.  As graffiti plays a major role in adding to the atmosphere in the quarter, I decided to focus on this and the shop fronts of the businesses within the quarter. If I had taken portraits of people, it would perhaps distract you from the place itself and my intention was to let the place speak for itself.

The three main photographs, depicting modern images, in traditional style frames combine the old and new thereby capturing the culture of the quarter.  For example, the one showing the use of bicycles as the form of transport used, adds to the vintage feel of the area whilst adding a contemporary slant to it – old fashioned transport linking with modern concepts/environmental issues. 

I produced a blog in order to attract a wider audience as, in this technological era, the internet is the most accessible and powerful source of information.  By publishing my blog, it is my intention to introduce the Northern Quarter to a world-wide audience. Statistics show that people as far as Hong-Kong have already accessed it. This proves it works better than a sketchbook, because anyone can look at it and hopefully from seeing my photographs and opinion about the place, they will go there!

RUTH WARMAN

Richard Bram Photography

Again, this is obviously not shot in Manchester, but I love the lighting and the way the man has fallen so inelegantly. He seems to be abit helpless without his umbrella! The title is great pun on words: 'Wall Street Fall'. Excellent.

Markus Hartel Photography (Copyright of M.Hartel)

I love this shot by German Photographer Markus Hartel. The man in this photograph looks to have alot of character, even though you cannot see his face. You can tell by the way he dresses and by his walk. It definitely depicts the cool vibe of downtown New York. A very well composed shot.

More of my photos....

As you may see, this is Thomas Street. I love the green colour of this shop, and the old-fashioned doors on each side of it. The bike adds more character to the photograph.

This is a shot of the vegetarian Buddhist cafe. (The food is amazing!) Unfortunately, there is a parking meter right in front of the cafe...Typical! I love all the bikes outside the front. Typical Northern 1/4 style! 

Mark Page, Manchester Photography (images copyright of Mark Page)

Although this isn't set in the Northern Quarter, I love it! I think it is set in the Salford Quays area. I love the curve of the building, and the abrupt rectangular advertisements. It is extra special in black and white.

Setting up my exhibition

Here are my photos of the Northern Quarter. This is not my final piece, but the progress of the concept.  I was thinking of making the photographs black and white, but I do not feel it would portray the vibrancy and life of the place. So colour it is!

I have decided for my final piece to pick out three photos that depict the Northern Quarter. I thought it would be more interesting to put them in antique, old fashioned frames, so that there will be a contrast between the old and new. The frames are quirky, just like the Northern Quarter. I am just waiting on the photographs now! Watch this space.

More of my photos....

Passport to Pimlico directed by Henry Cornelius

I was thinking of how distinctive the Northern Quarter is from the main area of Manchester and then I mentioned this to a friend who is an avid fan of the place. I mentioned that you could almost have a passport to go there as it is so unique and different, and she mentioned the comedy film Passport to Pimlico which is about a bombing which happens, and an ancient parchment is uncovered, proving that the Pimlico section of London belongs to Burgundy, France. From then on the new head of Government begins to erect borders and impose custom duties.
Although the bombing in this film does not relate to the Northern Quarter, the idea of it being abit like travelling to a different country does appeal to me, and could create a good narrative for my project. In my opinion, when you are in the Northern Quarter, it is like a different world. Everyone dresses in a bohemian manner, and goes about life in a different way.
I have just ordered this film to watch, so I can get more ideas for my project!

Proposal

One thing I did forget to mention at the beginning of this blog was my proposal!

So here it is;

I want to create an edgy, cool set of photographs to advertise the Northern Quarter in Manchester to portray the different lifestyle that they lead and the cultural way of life in the area. I don't feel enough people know about it, because in my opinion, the majority of people head to the main globalised section of Manchester city centre.

The Photographers I will be looking at will be William Eggleston, Henri Cartier- Bresson, Steven Shore, Andreas Gursky and many more Artists and Photographers!

I've created a postcard of the Northern Quarter

This is one of my favourite photos that I have captured, so I thought I would use it to create a postcard. I like the way it is quite ironic. I think the bins definitely make this photo. They make it real!

Another way of telling by John Berger. Photography by Jean Mohr

This book is narrated by the famous art critic John Berger with photos by Jean Mohr. I love the way that the photographs tell a story, but it also helps you understand the theory of Photography. Jean Mohr is a Swiss Photographer who argues that 'theory includes images aswell as words; not only analysis, but anecdote and memoir.'
As I am capturing the Northern Quarter, I quite like the idea of having a narrative to go with it. At the moment, my photos depict the character of the area. Maybe adding a narrative would detract from my concept of advertising the Northern Quarter to people who have not seen this area.

My photos

This shot is great. Simple but effective.

A quirky design on the side of an Art Shop. Very 70s!

I decided to change this shot to Black and White, as it is more stylish, like Paris. 

Stephen Shore:

In this video, Stephen Shore, discusses how he works, and what he looks for to make a good photo. He uses an 8 by 10 large format camera, which looks rather heavy, but produces fantastic results. I can't believe that at the age of 14, some of his photos were bought by the Museum of Modern Art! It's amazing!
ALSO, at the age of 17, he documented Andy Warhol's studio and the goings on. I bet he was quite shocked at what mischief went on there....

Henri Cartier-Bresson

FRANCE. The Var department. Hyères. 1932.

This shot is so stylish. I love the curving railings that make your eyes lead towards the cyclist. 

Very well composed. I love the fact that it is a black and white shot. They are my favourite.

William Eggleston

I really think this shot is excellent. It shows a decaying sign with a modern advertisement. The bulb makes this photo more balanced and creates atmosphere.

The kind of shops in the Northern Quarter

                                        

I wanted to capture the style of this area. The clothes shops are really quirky and stylish, and the cafes are modern and retro. 

Because I don't have a bigger lens, the road curves slightly on a couple of these photos, but I think it looks more interesting.

                        

Ed O'Keeffe Photography

This is one photograph I didn't take in the Northern Quarter, even though I was right near it! I really like this photo by O'Keefe. This guy is actually quite interesting. He was given a camera and a tripod at the age of five, and has been taking photos ever since! He takes photos all around the UK. Checkout his website!

www.edwud.com

Northern Quarter Blog

For my Fine Art degree, I have decided to capture the atmosphere of the Northern Quarter, in Manchester. I don't feel enough people know about the area and hope to change this by taking a series of shots that portray the character of it. As you will see in my photos, the area is full of quirky vintage shops and the people are stylish and arty.
Cycling on retro bikes is the norm for this area, and the ethos seems to be one of wellbeing and healthy-living with copious cups of green tea available in all cafes!

The Northern Quarter

This was on the side of a cafe in the NQ, Manchester. I think the bins go quite well with the graffitti!