Capturing the cathedral

Photography is a love we have both shared for many years to differing degrees. Chris has always been a methodical user of cameras spending hours researching techniques and tools to help him produce quality images. He knows his camera inside out – ISO’s, apertures….. on the other hand I have always followed the look through the lens, press and hope for the best technique! This is reflected in our work as Chris is able to capture images worthy of hanging on your wall and I do a great selfie! I love photographing people and buildings and generally worn out, untidy urban things whilst Chris loves landscapes and sunsets and anything that flys! We are a perfect team as often I see the shot and Chris takes the perfect capture of it and he is always there to help me when my camera doesn’t do exactly what I want it too!

We are not professional photographers – we don’t seek to sell our pictures and neither do we enter competitions with them. It’s a shared hobby which takes us out at the weekends away from the stresses and pressures of work. Fresh air, time together and lovely memories captured (plus google photos in meltdown and a need for a new external hard drive!)

On one of our ‘photoshoots’ earlier in the year we visited, for the first time (which is appalling considering the amount of time we spend in Manchester!) Manchester Cathedral and noticed they had a photography competition running ‘Capture the Cathedral’.
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For the first time Chris decided to have a go with some of the photos he had taken that day. He couldn’t have been more excited and I couldn’t have been prouder when two of his images were shortlisted for the award.

Cathedral Chairs

As a family we attended the ceremony at the Cathedral to announce the winners and although Chris was unsuccessful (this time!) we were all very proud to see his two images displayed alongside the other shortlisted entries. Like any art, photography is very subjective and I have to say I didn’t agree with the overall winning entry for multiple reasons, but my personal highlight of the evening was the winner of the Cathedral at Night category– Let there be Light and Lasers by Becky Ryding, who had taken her entry at a concert held in the cathedral. The delight on her face to be named runner up was completely infectious and her excitement was a joy. A very worthy winner.
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To have two entries shortlisted out of over 300 initial photographs is a real honour and Chris was proud to be a part of such a talented group of people. I am quite sure we will both be having a go next year!

​Viv

Through to the Window

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