GPS - THE MANC WANDERER
Kicking off the GPS Series on Renegade is Nathan, aka The Manc Wanderer.
One of the biggest photography accounts in Manchester UK. Since 2017 Nathan has been shooting Manchester’s city centre, as well as live music around the city. As big fans of his work we were thrilled to have a chat with him.
As a city/music photographer, what would you say are the best things about each style?
My favourite thing about the music side of photography is that you can head to a gig not knowing what the night will be like at all; sometimes a band/the crowd will be a lot livelier than you expect, the lighting can surprise you with a challenge, and just so many elements which you have to consider simultaneously to try and get a good range of photos. I love that spontaneity and the feeling when you've finished shooting when you know you've captured some great moments and can't wait to review them later.
On the city side specifically in Manchester, it's quite the opposite for someone like me who lives in the city and sees it all the time - in the sense that there are less surprises and you have to look for new angles of the same buildings/locations, and generally be more imaginative to get a photo that will offer something different to those I've already taken.
“There is the wonderful truth in that no two photos will ever be the same.”
Best time of day to take city photos?
It's hard not to say golden hour or maybe just before golden hour when the sun isn't too harsh but lights up streets in ways that sometimes does make them appear completely differently to another time of the day. In contrast to the previous answer there is the wonderful truth in that no two photos will ever be the same given the weather/conditions, so you can see some of Manchester's buildings/streets in completely different ways from one hour to the next sometimes.
Favourite part of the city to take photos?
The Northern Quarter is an obvious answer for me; both because of the unique buildings/street art around there, and that there are so many people in the streets to photograph if you want that candid style of shot.
Who were your influences when starting out? And now?
To be honest there are so many amazing photographers in Manchester it would be hard to name even a short list. There are many that the Igers Mcr account shares which inspired me and still do. In terms of specific people then I tried to learn a lot from YouTube videos/tutorials, and one of my favourites for that is Peter McKinnon.
You definitely have a recognisable style and tone to your images. You make Manchester look warm! Was that something you developed quite easily, or trial and error?
Over time my editing style changed dramatically and I think in the past year or so I've settled a lot more on a set style so to speak. I think one of the reasons the warmth might come across is because I got used to editing so much of the red/orange brick in Manchester and they were the colours I'd focus on. That or maybe I just wanted to pretend Manchester's a warmer city like a lot of us wish it was! I've tried to change the way I edit over the years to be more realistic and subtle when possible; for example I used to be guilty of overdoing it with the clarity/sharpness sliders and feel like it made photos look too unrealistic. Again there was definitely an element of trial and error to that!
You’ve got one day in any city in the world to take photos. Where are you going? And what are you shooting?
I think I'd love to visit somewhere like Nashville as I absolutely love Americana, and the idea to visit a city to get shots of the place through the day and then live music at night... that's the dream!
Was photography your first choice of career? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
It would be right now, but I only started taking it "seriously" three years or so ago. I still do photography as a part time job so try to balance things as best I can, but I always feel like I want to do more.
Do you have a favourite shot of your own work?
That's very difficult to answer and could change from one day to the next... but for a city shot there's one of the Northern Quarter Light Tower which was shot reflecting on a puddle. I like that because both it reminds me of my favourite part of town, and just the fact that it'd be so hard to get the same one again.
My favourite gig photo would maybe be the one I took of James at Manchester Arena; the way it incorporates both Tim Booth and the crowd worked well on that occasion (also it made me super happy it was used for their recent tour poster).
What are your essential pieces of equipment? What’s in your camera bag?
A Sony A7iii camera, a Sigma 24-70mm lens, a Samyang 14mm lens, and a Godox flashgun. Of course having spare batteries and memory cards too is a must. Coincidentally I've just ordered a 70-180mm lens and I can't wait to use that especially at live events. I hope I'll start to get more event jobs to justify buying a second camera too.
Did you study photography or were you a student of YouTube? Any advice for newcomers developing a style?
I own a few photography books, but I've always been a big fan of YouTube tutorials. My advice would be to experiment lots and try to think about photography even when you're not going out that day to shoot; I really like to do that (to be honest I can't help it anyway!) as I think it plants ideas in my mind so that when I go out for a photo walk or to shoot a job, I don't have to overthink it and the ideas come naturally.
Manchester is well known for the artwork you’ll see whilst walking around. Especially areas like NQ.
Some of my favourite shots of yours are the random graffiti on store corners. This one of Keifer Sutherland from Lost Boys
for example. Was this something you knew about, and planned before hand? Or was it a nice surprise and something you had to shoot?
I love those kind of street art shots too, and many or even most dare I say were spur of the moment ones. In fact that specific photo I took on my walk back from a gig at the Castle if I remember correctly.
How much planning goes into a shoot for you? Do you go out specifically to get certain shots? Or are you a “pick up the camera and see what I like the look of on the day” kinda guy?
I'm very much the latter! I'll likely have a rough idea of the side of town I'll want to shoot, but generally I'll just walk and decide a route as last minute as it gets. Sometimes though I'll see a new mural is going up in the Northern Quarter or something along those lines, and specifically head out to photograph it when I have the time.
Did the lockdown change your approach to your shots?
It did at the very start given it was almost frowned upon to be out in the city shooting, because even though I live here some people assume you travelled in to do that. But generally it didn't, it was just a strange time which I couldn't wait to be over.
Anything mental ever happened whilst out shooting?
Nothing springs to mind; maybe just the occasional time I get somehow still surprised when Barrington rides by on his bike and his music makes me jump! (what a legend of the city he is)
What kind of music did you grow up with? Listen to now?
Admittedly I grew up listening to stuff I have zero interest in now (think early 00's R&B), but the likes of Arctic Monkeys and the Killers really turned me onto the indie/alternative side and that's generally most of what I listen to. In recent years I have branched out a little more to listen to a lot of electronic/pop music too. That said, in terms of shooting gigs I don't care about the genre - just whether I think it'll make for good photos.
Is there a particular Festival you’d love to shoot?
So many! I've only ever shot day festivals officially as part of the team, but I've been to the likes of Glastonbury, Kendal Calling and Bluedot; they're all incredible and I'd love to be involved officially one day.
Depending on the act, the style of shots can be so different can’t they. From a
band running all over the stage, to a guy stood still with an acoustic. Is there any particular style you prefer?
I absolutely prefer the higher energy artists. They're often so much more challenging but that's what I crave! Of course I'm a fan of all types of artist when shooting them, but the more energy they bring the better for me.
Recently your shot of JAMES was used for his official tour poster. How did that come about? And you must have been excited when you were asked?
It was directly requested from the band/their representatives. I was over the moon to be asked and to then see it around the city/on social media.
If you could shoot one band, who would it be?
I was tempted to say New Order and of course would love to photograph them, but there's a big part of me saying that because I'm such a big fan. I think Arcade Fire would be one for me given I'm not only a huge fan but their live shows offer so much energy and there's so much going on around you (not just because of the many band members).
Is there anything you want to try in the future? Move into video? Drone photography maybe?
I'd like to learn video but feel like there's a lot to achieve and improve on the stills side, so it's not a priority for me. I know a few very talented videographers and have massive respect for their work; it blows my mind sometimes how much goes into the process!
Drone photography intrigues me but unfortunately the rules in a city centre are super strict. I know some seem to do it anyway but I definitely shouldn't say officially I'll give it a go 🙂
Your work is on display in Affleck’s "be your gallery" That must be a good feeling seeing your work in such an iconic building in Manchester?
Yes it's amazing to have my work sold and displayed there. It happened quite quickly and both Jo and Ste who run the place are fantastic/have given me plenty of support/ideas. Sometimes when I remind myself people actually buy my prints it's a bit of a crazy realisation!
“Sometimes it does become a challenge to put something truly different out there”
This must be the same in every major city, but with so many accounts all taking pics in the same locations, sometimes nearly identical pictures, How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd? Do you purposely try for shots in different areas rather than the obvious city hallmarks? Or can a new perspective on these places bring new life?
That's a very good point and sometimes it does become a challenge to put something truly different out there; especially when it's a landmark or location that's so recognisable. I usually just try to not overthink it, but at the same time work different angles that in my head I've not seen before (then sometimes facepalm when I later see someone else has already done it). I do think it's a good challenge though to get a shot of a place that's been seen so many times which people might comment to say they've never seen it like that before.
Judging off your Instagram, seems you share my fondness of ducks/geese!
Ha yes - I moved recently further up the canal but have lived beside the same one for over five years now. It's almost a love/hate relationship given they can be so loud, but I really am fond of being so close to the little rascals.
Lastly, could you recommend another photographer to our readers. Someone whose work you admire and want to shout out?
Two photographers who are local who I really admire are @trust_a_fox and @paul_husband_photography - both have outstanding work which is always recognisable when I see their photos before I even see it's them. When starting as a gig photographer they were definitely my main inspirations and still are!