BR / Left to Right: 1) Paul, 2) Ken, 3) Mike 4) Darren ( FR ) 1) Jen, 2) May, 3) Dave, 4) Stuart
The meet up time was at 2pm on the 04.09.2016. So as the organizer of this event I then made darn sure that I got there early, this would compensate for any train delays etc..
Any way as I was half an hour early then I decided to grab my-self a coffee and sit outside in the smoking aera of the Nero's Coffee Shop. No I don't smoke it's just I wanted to keep an eye out for any photographer's that may of been looking for me.
Any way whilst I was drinking my coffee then I seen many photographers walking past the meet up point. Honestly, when you organize a photography event, then every person you see with a DSLR wrapped around their neck, you then just assume that they are in the city to attend your event. When the reality is that they are just tourists moving around the city.
Any way I remember taking my last sip of my latte when I spotted Dave walking around the meet up area. I stood up grabbed my bag and headed out to meet and greet him. With in about a minute of speaking to Dave, Darren did arrive, followed by Ken, then Stuart, then Paul, then Mike, then both Jen and May did arrive together. Great we have a good turn out then I thought.
Once we all agreed that no more photographers were attending, we then decided to start our photowalk. We decided to make our way down Portland Street and then head on over to Castle Field.
For my-self then my photography was not going exactly the way I wanted it go. This is because the sun was shining brightly in the sky and I was constantly fighting the overexposure in my images. I found my-self to be messing around with camera settings far more than what I would of liked to of been.
Any way I soon discovered that every time we got into the shaded areas of the city, then my camera was performing exactly as I wanted it to. It was only when we were in bright sun shine that it was not. Any way apart from that then everything was good, the group was getting along like a house on fire. Everyone was so talkative to each other, it was at this point that I knew that the day was going to turn into being another one of those awesome photowalks.
I got talking to Paul and it soon transpired that Paul and my self do have a friend in common. In a nut shell then Paul and I know this very talented Manchester photojournalist called Joel. Joel himself is a freelance photographer for the Manchester Evening News. Paul and my-self continued to swap our stories with regards to the world of photojournalism it's self.
Mike then spoke up and suggested that the group should visit this certain area of the city that he does know prior to making our way over to Castle Field. So as a natural leader, Mike then lead the group over to these Canal Locks that he does know of.
This spot was the perfect place for us photographers to 1) Shoot off a few clicks and 2) Continue with our open conversations whilst having a quick rest at the same time.
Once we left this area of interest we then proceeded to make our way towards our designated destination. When we got close to the Deans Gate Locks area of the city, I then remembered taking a shot of this certain member of the public. After I took the shot of him, I then rested my DSLR and thought no more of it.
When all of a sudden the member of the public approached me and announced that he had a proposition for the photographers. So I politely asked our group if they could gather around and listen to this proposition that this man had. It turns out that this man does run dance classes and is looking for photographers to photograph his events. In return he was offering a payment of up to £100.
Which as most of us know is in fact a very generous sum. A few of the photographers swapped business cards with him etc.. Also I added the member of the public on Facebook and said that he forward me any information, then I can forward it onto the rest of the group.
It was at this part of the day that I realized that we did in fact have a very fun and energetic person among us. This person being Paul, it quickly dawned on me that Paul was really adding the fun experience to our day. For example, Paul certainly did prove to us that if he wants that shot then he will get that shot no matter what. So this means that Paul does not care what members of the public does think of him when he is shooting his street photography. If Paul want's to sit down on the street then guess what, Paul will sit down on the street.
When we finally arrived at Castle Field, then I was sorry to see Darren depart and leave us. This is because Darren wanted to get home to watch the footy on the box. I thanked Darren for joining us and wished him all the best and said that I hoped to see him again at future meetings.
Some members of our group were hungry, myself then I was just thirsty. So off it was we went in order to put some good food and beer in our bodies. It was really great seeing our group filling a full table in the beer garden, in the middle of Castle Field. It really was like we were just one big family...
One of the jokes fired across the table that day, was then at the next meet up, May is then to bring her passport. This is because Paul does not believe how old May says she is. Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end.
So it was at this point that May, Jen, Ken and Dave had to call it a day and break away from the group and address other business it is that they had to attend to that day. As for Stuart, Mike, Paul and my-self. Then us lads decided to stay out and play a little bit more.
Mike and my-self quickly agreed that we should use Paul as the next " Poster Boy " to promote the next upcoming photo-walk. Note I had used Mike as the last poster boy to promote this walk. Any way what happened next was to 100% confuse me for sure. I was not sure if what I was witnessing was a " wind up " or if it was 100% serious.
Basically we seen 3 people stood around this stone. Then one of these 3 people insisted that we take a photograph of them around the stone. Now when we agreed they then started to " HUMMMM " and do some sort of ceremony around the stone.
Later the female in that group told me that the guy who asked us to photograph him, was in fact a priest. And said he was doing some sort of ritual that connects them as one closer to the earth. I'm not 100% sure what was happening but I do understand the " spirituality " side of things here.
Anyway it was at this point of the day that I really, really needed to go to the boys room. My bladder was about to burst. So Michael lead the way to a coffee shop which he knew had a toilet in it. But when we got there the shop was now closed.
So Stuart spoke up and said he knows somewhere nearby, so Stuart lead the way and sure enough within about a minute we had found a weather-spoons. Happy that I emptied my bladder now, then I just followed the group around Manchester.
Paul and Mike were spending allot of time photographing reflections in puddles etc...
But what was to happen next was sure to make any photographer laugh. I'm not quite sure who had suggested it. But Paul eventually decided that it would be a good idea for him to actually jump into a puddle.
Whatever the deal was with this, then it was something that was arranged between Paul and Mike. I actually do believe that Mike said he would buy Paul a pint as a reward. So yep as you can guess the next thing to happen, was that Paul actually did jump into a puddle lol
But wait it get's better, the first time round was not a successful shot of Paul landing in the puddle. So Paul was challenged with jumping back into the puddle again for the second time. I have to say my belly was pretty sore from chuckling to my-self.
After we captured the image of Paul jumping into a puddle, we then headed back to the Pub to have a few more pints.
This really was a great fun photowalk and I hope that the next one is just as fun as it :)
