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Not Quite Light: Atmospheric photographs of Manchester at dawn look like oil paintings

This photography series by Simon Buckley is a glorious celebration of the urban heart of Manchester. The images will be exhibited next month at the Not Quite Light weekend (1-3 April) – an event to explore the social history of the city.

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Via direct submission. All images by Simon Buckley

Via direct submission. All images by Simon Buckley

More akin to oil paintings than photographs, the north and eastern edges of Manchester city centre are captured at dawn, when it's not quite light and not quite nighttime. The aim of the project is to explore themes of regeneration and heritage.

Simon explains: “The phrase ‘change is inevitable but progress isn’t' kept coming back to me. Manchester is going through a huge transition. Heritage is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a state of mind. I wanted to ask the question: what are we as Manchester? If you’re knocking something down, what are you going to put in its place? You’ve got to be careful you don’t demolish the soul of a city whilst you’re running rampant, hoping to make it better.

“I’d like this to start a debate and the way to do that was to collaborate with others, using the photographs as a catalyst for people to think about the change around us.

“In 20 or 30 years, someone else will have an opinion on the city. I’d like to think I’m creating social history through my photographs, leaving clues for historians to see exactly how I feel the city is developing.”

For more information, visit notquitelight.com/weekend.

Dawn cityscape of Manchester's eastern edge with illuminated yellow building beside weathered stone structures and flooded forecourt with traffic cones
A dawn photograph of Manchester's eastern edge showing a street with a closed shop storefront, street lights, a minaret and industrial buildings silhouetted against a grey sky
Wet urban street at dawn with wooden green fencing, blue signs, modern apartment buildings and a dark curved office tower illuminated against the twilight sky
Brightly lit red and blue car wash sign at dusk with Manchester city skyline and office buildings silhouetted against a deep blue sky behind it
Wet paved plaza at night with bare trees, historic stone building illuminated in warm light, and modern buildings beyond, captured at dawn in Manchester city centre
Urban underpass at dawn with brick pillars framing a view of Manchester city centre's illuminated buildings and light trails from passing traffic
Bare tree beside illuminated railway arch and bridge at dusk in Manchester, with green grass and industrial heritage structures visible in twilight
Flooded construction site at dusk reflecting streetlights, with palm trees and scaffolding visible against deep blue sky in Manchester city centre
Red car parked in an empty Manchester car park at dawn, with brick buildings and illuminated flats visible beyond a metal railing
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