Salford in lights

During these long winter nights, Salford Quays is a blaze of light with its brightly illuminated modern high rises. But it’s been enhanced with a series of art installations around MediaCityUK which come into their own after dark. There are astronauts and Doctor Who icons, plastic trees and a mesmerising flotilla of little boats on the water which are bringing more visitors than usual to this corner of Manchester.

There are plenty of photographers among them, trooping around the quays with their tripods in tow. This spectacle is on the doorstep of my workplace, so I just had to join the crowd. If you’re quick you can catch the last night of Lightwaves 2016 on 18 December.

Click first image to view the gallery

Tags: art, art installations, bokeh, Doctor Who, I love you, Lightwaves 2016, Manchester, MediaCityUK, night photography, paper boats, photography, Salford Quays

18 thoughts on “Salford in lights”

Savvysaav on January 18, 2017 at 21:27 said:

Loving these pictures! Great post too :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 21, 2017 at 12:01 said:
  
  Many thanks, Savannah. Best of luck with your new blogging venture – I look forward to seeing new posts :)
  
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Jane Lurie on December 19, 2016 at 03:15 said:

Congratulations, Mike! Such beautiful light images!

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 19, 2016 at 07:37 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Jane, I’m glad you like them. Much needed on these dark winter nights :)
  
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Cos on December 18, 2016 at 10:38 said:

The quays are looking very gay with this cute little pink and rainbow coloured boats 🏳️‍🌈

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 11:21 said:
  
  Yes, there’s definitely some rainbow flag action. They were expecting you, Koos ;-)
  
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  - Cos on December 18, 2016 at 11:34 said:
    
    I didn’t get the invitation… :'(
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 11:39 said:
      
      There’s still time. Get your ass over here tonight.
      
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      - Cos on December 18, 2016 at 11:43 said:
        
        Okay, I jump on my bike. See you at 7.
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 12:09 said:
        
        No, I’ve already been. You’re on your own. Mwaaaahahahaha.
        
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        Cos on December 18, 2016 at 16:25 said:
        
        Great Christmas thought… :'(
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 16:37 said:
        
        You know I love you really.
        
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        Cos on December 18, 2016 at 19:40 said:
        
        ❤️
        
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ckponderings on December 18, 2016 at 10:09 said:

Sailboats, sailboats, bokeh, sailboats, Tardis, sail… Whoa, hang on!

Great images, Mike! Salford lights leading the way! :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 10:20 said:
  
  Yes! Something for you Whovians too :) The Daleks move as well!
  
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  - ckponderings on December 18, 2016 at 11:24 said:
    
    But of course they do, Mike! ;)
    
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BuntyMcC on December 18, 2016 at 00:09 said:

Beautiful night time photos and those boats on the water are delightful. Pictures like yours make me wish I lived in the heart of a big city.

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 18, 2016 at 09:20 said:
  
  Thank so much, Bunty. Yes, the flotilla is the star of the show without a doubt. The quays are a few miles outside of Manchester city centre, but are concentrated, urban and very modern. They don’t really need any extra light, but I’m glad that’s what they did.
  
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