Ian Bramham's Photoblog
Fairy Lights
Posted by Ian Bramham (Manchester, United Kingdom) on 18 September 2007 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.
I had a wonderfully happy childhood - one of the images from that time which has always stayed with me and which still gives me the same feelings of warmth, laughter and wonder are these 'fairy lights' in the trees that line the main street in Southport near where I grew up on the North West coast of England.
I think that, because Southport is a seaside town, the whole place has a great charm and a borrowed association for me of holidays (or at least weekends with my mum, dad and sisters) but also the lights have that link with christmas trees which I love with an irrational passion - I can smell the pine needles right now!
What do you associate with these 'fairy lights' and do you also have photos like this that take you right back to your childhood as if it were yesterday.
For purchasing high quality archival prints of any of these photos you can send me an email by clicking here or by going to MY NEW WEBSITE where prices are listed in the gallery sections under each individual photo.
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Links to the websites of other photographers whose work I love and who have all helped me enormously over a long period of time. I find the work of all 3 to be inspirational.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I looooove the lights, it is absolutely charming LOL (and good going on the speeding car ;)
18 Sep 2007 10:58am
@Lorraine: Thanks Lorraine!
Organik from Australia
This is a magical photo Ian. You've captured the lights perfectly.
18 Sep 2007 11:19am
@Organik: Thanks Organik!
Brian from United States
You've captured the magic very well, Ian! I grew up the the NE coast town of Redcar, and I can still remember the lights along the promenade...
18 Sep 2007 1:56pm
@Brian: My Aunt and Uncle live in Redcar but its been decades since I was last there - I seem to remember the sea more than anything else!
Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States
fantastic scene.. i can see why you liked this area so much.
as for you question.. im still pretty young so i cant answer as of yet. give me a few years and i 'll let you know.
18 Sep 2007 3:30pm
@Nick Passantino: :-) We'll see if AM3 lasts long enough!
@yiannis krikis: thanks yiannis!
Steve from Hellam, United States
I like this a lot amazing color and I like the lines here too
18 Sep 2007 11:52pm
@Steve: thanks Steve - I'm pleased you liked it!
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
It's great when happy memories are sparked by a sight or sound or smell, I actually have several photos that take me back to my childhood memories.
This is a wonderful capture.
19 Sep 2007 1:55am
@Laurie: Thanks! - have you any links to those photos or are they not online yet?
@Hans: Thanks Hans! - I'm still very much at the experimental stage having been taking photos with my Fuji F31 for about 6 months. I feel that i am only just starting to get the hang of this photography thing. It would be great if, one day, I could develop a recognisable style in the way that you exhibit with those great photos of your own.
Anne from White Rock, Canada
Lovely night shot with the lights in the trees shot so well! Exposure just about as perfect as you could get! Is it still a 7 mile walk out on the beach to the sea in Southport? I never knew a place that had the tide so far out except Southport! ;-)
20 Sep 2007 7:15pm
@Anne: Thanks Anne, yes , the sea is still a long way from the shoreline. The pier has been refurbished over the last few years & looks a lot better now. I've got a photo of it on tomorrow's blog taken at sunset last week - take a look and let me know what you think.
Also Hoghton Street has been pedestrianised in the last 12 months & looks really classy now. I'm a Partner in a large firm of local Architects & we are involved in the construction of a big new building on the marina next to the Floral Hall - its a new hotel, conference centre and casino as well as new bars & restaurants. The frame is being erected now & it will be finished next year.
