Looking for some places to use as a photographic background in Manchester.?

Question

I'm looking at taking some arty photos of my car against some of Manchester's architectural / industrial areas (new buildings, railway arches etc). Can anyone recommend anywhere?

Answer 1

Hiya.

Castlefield is a good area for new developments and canal side stuff too. There's a great church on Mancunian Way which has been converted into apartments and is lit up at night.

Ancoats has some good old mill type buildings (Sankeys night club being one of these).

The area in the city centre around Selfridges has some very interesting architecture. Old tudor (i think!) buildings next to modern developments. Also Urbis just round the corner is great for a modern setting, made of glass and an interesting shape.

Piccadilliy's railway arches are interesting and provide a good back drop for an industrial setting.

The Beetham Tower at the end of Deansgate is the tallest residential building in UK and could be good too.

These are all city centre type areas and you could get round them all easily in a day.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Castlefield in the city might be a good area if you can park near enough to the canal basin area.

Answer 3

You need to do this very early on a Sunday morning, before there are other cars/traffic wardens/officious jobsworths about the place. Castlefield is a good suggestion. Also try G-Mex, Ancoats, round the Rochdale Canal Basin, The Lowry (OK it's Salford, but near enough) and The Imperial War Museum (also Salford). Sunrise is about 0550BST at the moment, so start round about 0545 or so and you may get some dramatic light.