The Manchester Photo Walk is a three-hour stroll in the city, focusing on architecture, streetscapes, views, artworks, public transport, public spaces, gardens, nature and everything else we see around us when we’re out and about.
I offer the photo walk as a one-to-one or small group photography tutorial experience.
There are no set dates, but generally walks are held on a Friday or a Saturday by mutual agreement. The start time can be in the morning at 10:30 or in the afternoon from 2pm. In the winter the afternoon walk takes us into the atmospheric dusk time, that’s good low-light photography.
During the walk I will provide you and others in the group with a very important short lesson in the principles of photography – aperture, shutter speed and ISO. It’s basic knowledge, I think as important as doing sums in mathematics or spelling and grammar when learning your native language. Nowadays practically everyone is a photographer but few take the time to gain a better understanding of how a camera sees things – and how our eyes see things.
As well as a copy of my photographic exposure crib card, I will give you some tip sheets on photography techniques, which you can refer to during the walk and take home with you to consult later.
I can also tell you quite a bit about the buildings and locations, as I have a very good knowledge of Manchester.
I’ve been documenting the changes in Manchester since around 1997. At that time I set up a website called Eyewitness in Manchester, with articles on the development of Manchester, illustrated with hundreds of my photographs.
Recently I’ve migrated into the video medium and now produce the growing YouTube channel AidanEyewitness, which features similar themes to my old website, covering Manchester and a number of other cities including Liverpool, Cork, Leeds and Berlin.
Countless people have come on the photo walk and the feedback has been extremely good. I enjoy meeting people and sharing my knowledge. I like to keep them occupied the whole time and give lots of feedback on their photographs as we go along.
The meeting point is normally the front entrance to Piccadilly Station. The two routes I like to follow are west along Whitworth Street and north into the Northern Quarter. If people prefer, I can also do the Manchester Photo Walk anywhere else in the city centre or suburbs.
Here are the prices. The crib cards and information sheets are free of charge.
For the three-hour photo walk, one to three people – £120
For larger groups please enquire.
It’s also possible to buy the experience as a Christmas or birthday gift. Lots of people have presented their family members or friends with a present they won’t forget – for all the right reasons! I prepare a personalised letter addressed to the recipient. I will e-mail it you to print out and give to the recipient on the day.
Click here to view an example of the personalised letter.
The quickest and easiest way to contact me is via text or WhatsApp.
You can also send an e-mail message to info (at) aidan.co.uk