architecture

I love Beetham Tower

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This is a Manchester landmark known by every Mancunian.

I’m especially fond of Beetham Tower, as it’s part of my neighbourhood of Castlefield and framed perfectly in my own living room window.

This slim, tall chisel of blue glass and steel changes colour with the weather and light.

I’ve photographed the building often since moving to Manchester in late 2016, and it continues to enthrall in spite of competition from new skyscrapers. Here are some of Beetham’s best bits.

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Lavish interiors

/ mikeosbornphoto / 5 Comments

I lived in London for 16 years before moving north to Manchester in 2016. For years I roamed around the capital city with my camera, going inside many beautiful buildings.

A favourite weekend of the year was when Open House London enabled access to many premises. There were so many lavish rooms to enjoy and photograph.

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has made photography more difficult. That’s why I decided to trawl my archive and revisit some favourite shots. Many have been re-edited to suit my evolving tastes and sensibilities, although architecture stands the test of time. Please enjoy!

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Manchester steel

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My camera stays at home during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, but here’s a photo walk I took before the restrictions.

There’s no shortage of new glass and steel buildings in Manchester and I love photographing them.

Deansgate Square is a cluster of high rises that dominates my low-rise canal basin neighbourhood of Castlefield. 

If you cross the usually busy Mancunian Way into neighbouring Hulme, there’s the outstanding Brooks Building on Manchester Metropolitan University’s campus. It’s a latticework that catches the light and has countless angles. Modern marvel or a blot on the landscape?…

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Stormy seaside

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The Lancashire seaside resort of Blackpool is famous for its golden sands, soaring tower, kiss me quick hats and fairground rides.

I decided to explore it for the first time on the murkiest of winter days, when a cold wind was howling and rain lashing down.

The backdrop was solid grey and the caramel-coloured, foamy sea swirled around dramatically.

I took refuge in the spectacular (and warm) Tower Ballroom, given a yearly outing by TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

A testing day culminated with a nasty fall on the Promenade (please check for loose bootlaces) and a grazed camera.

But I’ll be back in the summer to see blue skies, excitable crowds and Blackpool in all its seasonal splendour.

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High-octane Japan

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I finally made the long journey to Japan, going on a whirlwind tour of eight cities, travelling between them by high-speed bullet train.

Japan is a country that’s made an impression on all of us, and I found that it has two distinct faces.

There’s the nation that is highly urbanised, crowded, innovative, organised, and speeds along at a breathtaking pace.

This set of photographs are all about that Japan – its neon lights, modern architecture and urban dwellers. Read more below

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While high-octane Japan can be a dizzying experience, it can still be intensely personal. Yes, the old adage is true – Japanese people are very polite and even a visit to the corner shop will be met with deference, thanks and appreciation.

I was always worried about getting horribly confused and lost on Japan’s busy streets, but could find my way around alone. And it was easy enough to order food and make ordinary transactions – the country is now used to tourists.

Some city public transport can be tricky to the uninitiated, so plan ahead and go well-armed with maps.

Hotel rooms are small (I fell over myself a few times) but well-equipped and efficient including the famous multi-functional toilets. 

My advice is to immerse yourself in the Japanese urban experience, which is multi-faceted and rich. But there’s another side to this country, which I’ll bring you soon…

Link to more posts about travel on mikeosbornphoto