Street Photography : Chester
Street photography on a wet day in Chester
Lets get away from the Kerry mountains and lakes for a little time anyway, lets visit Chester in the North west of England. The junction of Watergate and Bridge street to be exact, the last time I visited this wonderful old Roman town was in August 2012 and it was just like I remembered it as a kid.
The old Tudor black and white four story buildings, the narrow side streets, small shop fronts, café’s and clothes shops. Street entertainers and most of all the rain. It rains a lot in the North west of England. The rain comes down from the mountains of the Peak-district and the Mountains of North Wales.
The Morning We arrived in the town it was very wet as you can see from these images, One of the greatest features of Chester however is the raised and covered walkways running above the street level shops. They run all the way up Watergate street and down Bridge street on both sides, as you can see from the photo on the left/above.
While I waited for the others to come back from different directions and shops, I took some of the images in this post from these walkways. It was a great view point to do some people watching, just snapping away and wondering what all these people had on their minds. Presents maybe or just gifting themselves to something new, things for kids birthdays, a new phone or just a chat and a coffee with a friend.
Just people watching and wondering and recording, isn’t that what street photography is all about ?
Image Gallery – Chester on the streets
Nigel Borrington 
Hey… there was (is?) a hotel next to H. Samuel. Stayed there for 1 night 15 yrs or so ago!!!
August 15, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Hello GreenC
I hope you had a great stop over, I just love this part of the UK, and Chester has the best shops anywhere – you get a smile and as much help as you need!
Everyone looks Happy in Chester 🙂
But then this is almost home ground for me, I would have loved to live here, one day maybe ?
August 15, 2013 at 2:37 pm
😉
August 15, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Wonderful post, Nigel. Your images really convey the feel of the place. I love the wet streets, they just add so much to the images. Did you ever notice in films, in night street scenes, the pavement is always wet? They must hose it down………
The monochrome for these images is just perfect :-).
I especially love the alley shot and the fellow in the driving cap with his walking stick.
It’s so fun to people watch.
I want to visit this place.
🙂
August 15, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Hello Sharon:)
Thank you !!!!
Yes, I think your right – Blade runner – Black rain come to mind + many others 🙂
I also love the reflections and shadows on a wet street, Chester still as some very old stone pavements and cobbled roads and they just look wonderful when wet! 🙂
That’s my number one shot from that day, I think he’s a great character – but I also like the the two on the right against the wall 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Yes, I nearly mentioned the alpha man and his friend. Very mysterious. What is he holding? Were they coming/going from the bridal wear shop? Quarreling or making up?
The shop signs and his work shirt add a whole new level to the shot.
Beautiful work Nigel.
P.S. Blade runner is a GREAT film. “Too bad she won’t live. Then again, who does.”
🙂
August 15, 2013 at 2:52 pm
I think she was stopping People for some questions, however from what I can remember he did all the talking and I think she would have been very happy to move on 🙂
Yes very true 🙂 🙂
Tank you 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Ps The man with the stick Sharon, A true Gent – he stopped me and we talked about Chester for an age after the picture was taken. I told him that we visited the town as kids and he remembered lot’s of the places we visited.
Funny how a kind word or two and someone taking the time for a chat can stay with you, we for almost ever 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 3:32 pm
That’s so sweet.
Yes, a kind word and interest in someone’s story, especially older folks, and we can learn so much. Those connections stay with us.
August 15, 2013 at 5:55 pm
These shots have a very “vintage” feel…except for the current clothes it takes me back … very nice!
August 15, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Hello Navery 🙂
I think its because Chester has stayed the same for such a log time now, they are right, too make sure that it is not changed, people love it so much 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Love this post, Nigel. I especially like the second to the last picture. Not exactly sure why, but I do like how that couple is carrying on with each other and I like the narrowness of that street. My parents used to drop me and my sisters off at the mall when I was younger. I loved it because I could people watch! Still a favorite activity.
August 15, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Hello StephieLou 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Chester is loved by so many people locally, lots of Towns just changed so much during the last few years, they all look the same and unless you check your sat-nav you could be in any old place – I would love to think that’s added a lot to the pictures.
Yes, I love that image as well – I was very pleased the moment I took it. It was such a small space yet no one minded being photographed 🙂
Love sitting down with a coffee and watching the world walk by !
August 15, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Your choice of Black & White gives these an atmosphere of another place and time that is often lost with color.
Enjoying them very much.
August 15, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Hello 🙂
Thank you, yes I love B&W for many reason’s and your comment are very welcome and helpfull – Thank you 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 5:20 pm
I love the light on the wet streets, and the b&w is powerful in these. There is a sense of time travel in these. Lovely shots, Nigel
August 15, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Hello Scott 🙂
Thank you, I just love B&W and am very pleased that you have said what you have re these images .
It still has a big home in my Hart and I love the tones it can produce !!!!
August 15, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Nice shots, Nigel!
[I have been in Chester three weeks ago and took several pinhole shots. I have to scan them, but I will post some of them as soon as I can.]
August 15, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Brilliant, cannot wait to see them, Pin-hole – Wow, I bet they look fantastic 🙂 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Talented man.
August 15, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Thank you – but, your no so bad yourself 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Thank you!
August 16, 2013 at 9:21 am
🙂
August 16, 2013 at 9:28 am
Beautiful black and white gallery Nigel!
August 16, 2013 at 10:15 am
Hello Anne 🙂
Thank you , very, very pleased you enjoyed them 🙂
August 16, 2013 at 11:54 am
Great shots, Nigel.
These strong contrasting light & shade street scenes make for some really nice monochrome.
I vaguely remember driving through Chester in the 1970s. Was that the town with all the one way streets?
August 17, 2013 at 2:49 am
Hello Vicki 🙂
Yes 🙂 lots of them, but you didn’t have a sat nav in the 70’s and you had to work it out for yourself 🙂 🙂
Thank Vicki, great comments 🙂
August 17, 2013 at 11:40 am
Wowza. I love the shot where the couple are standing in front of the Aristocrats of Chester, Ltd. Heh. Perfect.
August 17, 2013 at 6:08 am
Hello Elen 🙂
Yes, me too 🙂
Thank you 🙂
August 17, 2013 at 11:41 am
Very nice work. I really like the way you have displayed the photos on your blog.
September 2, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Hello John 🙂
Thank you, very welcome and appreciated comments 🙂
September 2, 2013 at 6:43 pm