Blackpool UK - where to take pics?

[chilohm]

Hi there.
I'm going to Blackpool tomorrow to take photos. Any tips on places to go? I want to get a view of the the city in its state of recession and decay. I think it's a really interesting place - a transient, seasonal population and the daily waves of hen/stag parties make for great photos I think, but I would really appreciate advice on where to go.

Cheers,
Jack.

 

[Michael Markey]

I live in Blackpool. Happy to meet up

 

[Schlapp]

Try Lytham St Annes - much nicer and less decrepid

 

[Michael Markey]

Lytham is very nice but Blackpool is undergoing a major revamp .The Queen is coming🙂 Sadly other parts of the town are still ,how shall we say ,a little earthy. Parts of it rank number four for crime nationwide. When you think of some of the inner city problems ..that`s quite an achievment for such a small place . The crime is low level though although walking around with a Leica might not be a good idea in these parts.
I live out of town on the quiet Wyre estuary .

 

[chilohm]

Thanks Michael. That sounds great. I'll take care with the kit, but looking forward to a day trip! It'd be great to meet up at some point. If you PM me your number I can give you a bell when we get there. When in the day would be good for you? After lunch would probably be best for us (I'm going with a friend). Cheers,
Jack.

 

[chilohm]

After a great day in (chilly) Blackpool, here are the first four shots I have ready.

I would really appreciate critique and comment. All photos were shot with a Rolleiflex 2.8f (Planar) on Tri-X. Click on the images for larger versions.

Thanks to Michael for the tour also - it was great to meet you!









Thanks for looking!
Jack

 

[D.O'K.]

Interesting compositions: particularly the first.
I also love the way the clock hands line up elegantly with everything else.

Well done.

D.

 

[Bobfrance]

Nice shots. The first and fourth do it for me. 🙂

 

[dprees]

Try east of Talbot Square, up the North Shore. Go away from the promenade about 400 to 800 yds. South of the Bus Station is pretty seedy. There's lot's of old, decrepit buildings in that area, and the surrounding streets.

Bit late now, but the illuminations, in the evening, can give some good opportunities. I tried out my newly acquired M6 classic there last month (very pleased with the cameras, BTW!).

All with 35mm f2.0, ASPH, on XP2 Super:

 

[The Standard Deviant]

Great work, I particularly like the first and last. The deco building really reminds me of a project I should get on with. For a more serious take I would crop the face off, but it has a quirky charm. Is it some kind of official sign, or some paper graffiti pasted over one?

If you are open to changing exposure or levels digitally, perhaps the third one could do with a tweak. (I'm pretty sure if I'd taken the photo I would have ended up exposing it the same way you did at the time, so don't take that as negative criticism).

So yes, carry on!

 

[chilohm]

Great work, I particularly like the first and last. The deco building really reminds me of a project I should get on with. For a more serious take I would crop the face off, but it has a quirky charm. Is it some kind of official sign, or some paper graffiti pasted over one?

If you are open to changing exposure or levels digitally, perhaps the third one could do with a tweak. (I'm pretty sure if I'd taken the photo I would have ended up exposing it the same way you did at the time, so don't take that as negative criticism).

So yes, carry on!

Thanks. I did play with the exposure of the third shot, but couldn't get it where I wanted it - either the shadow in the shed disappeared or the foreground was too dark. If you have any ideas of what I could do I would really appreciate it - Photoshop isn't my strongpoint!

Thanks again for your comments.

 

[chilohm]

Interesting compositions: particularly the first.
I also love the way the clock hands line up elegantly with everything else.

Well done.

D.

Nice shots. The first and fourth do it for me. 🙂

Thank you both very much. Here's one more silly sh0t...

 

[Michael Markey]

It was a pleasure , Jack. You certainly got some cracking shots. Forgive me but here is one that you didn`t get 🙂 .

 

[chilohm]

It was a pleasure , Jack. You certainly got some cracking shots. Forgive me but here is one that you didn`t get 🙂 .

Hehe. I was deep in thought...

 

[Michael Markey]

Dprees

Great shots. I have been wondering how that new street design would work out and what could be done with it. Good stuff.

 

[Bobfrance]

Dprees

Great shots. I have been wondering how that new street design would work out and what could be done with it. Good stuff.

Looks like it will be great as soon as they get those burst pipes fixed. 😉

 

[Michael Markey]

🙂🙂 You need to come over and bring, Paul , Noel and Stewart . Like to see your take on the place. No camera shops though.

 

[dprees]

Michael,

Thanks for commenting on my images.

It's been a long time since I've been inspired to photograph in my old home town, but I've been watching the work on the street lights for a while, every time I return home, and frankly, during the day they looked really ugly. However, when I went down with the camera one evening, I was really taken with the effect, and esp. the way people reacted to them. Both adults and children interact with the lights and water, giving marvellous opportunities for street photography. I'll be going back to try my luck again once the weather warms up again.

 

[Bobfrance]

🙂🙂 You need to come over and bring, Paul , Noel and Stewart . Like to see your take on the place. No camera shops though.

Might take you up on that Mike. I have some time to take off during November and Paul and I had been thinking of arranging a shooting day.

 

[Sparrow]