Where next in the UK and Ireland?

Good to have a plan!

I am trying to travel light - so a tripod was not in my plan apart from a little tabletop one. I do most night shooting handheld - but views across water often do work better with long exposures.

alanfrombangor wrote: Neil, I'd found a suggested photowalk map to follow but if you can lead us that would be better. Will you be joining us on Monday 11th also? I've never been to Salford Quays, looks good for night shoots and reflections if it's not raining. Are tripods essential? I'll PM you my phone number. Photos of Phil and I here.

Yes , I'm good for the Monday too .

The map you've got for a photo walk is probably best to go by as I tend to avoid Manchester anyway !

I'll make a few suggestions over the next few days .

Apart from Salford Quays, you've also got Castlefield basin where the canals meet up , it's a mixture of old industrial buildings and modern . Castlefield probably wants to be seen in daylight, Salford quays at dusk into night-time.
So probably get there after 4pm to walk around and decide where abouts you want to be as the light goes .

I imagine both of these are on your map .

Other spots I'll list later as if there not on your list , there in areas that we'll either pass or will be nearby .

The Christmas markets up and running by then which is spread over a few sites in town .
So they might be worth a visit .

Regards tripods at the Quays.
The picture I posted on the previous page was taken with my a900 with a Minolta 17-35mm D set at 17mm , ISO 125 , f/8 for 6 seconds .

I wanted a longer exposure as the breeze or wind gave a choppy water surface which isn't great for reflections .
You can see the reflections are more shimmering lines , a shorter shutter speed would have given less reflections.

Depending on what your shooting with , with image stabilised body and lenses you could hand hold a modern camera for a sharp image .
Using f/8 still , 1/8 seconds at ISO 6400 or 1/15 at ISO 12800 .
That wasn't really useable with the a900 .
Fine if it's flat water , but I'd still use a tripod .
Or a monopod might help.

If we decide when we're going to the Quays, and you don't want to be carrying your baggage, camera bags and a tripod on the train , I'll bring mine with me and we can share that one .

Yes.

Phil and I confirmed as meeting at 14:30, Piccadilly station. Anyone else care to join us? Neil?

Howard_S wrote: Phil Wood wrote: Sorry to hear you can't make it Howard - I am still sitting on the fence to see how my back improves. ... A novel therapy! I hope your back gets better quickly

Indeed!
Normally when my backs acting up I tend to have a soak in a hot bath with radox in it .
I've always found it awkward to sit on a fence !

That's an unfortunate coincidence. I'll still stay over on my way home from the north east. I'm on Mull now, our 50th wedding anniversary was yesterday, spent cycling in wind, rain and sleet from Iona, now in a comfortable cottage for a week. Hope your back improves soon, Phil.

neilt3 wrote: It's a shame you can't make it Howard , I was going to bring some of my Vectis gear for you to have a play with .

Neil, I have a train ticket and a hotel room I should be able to transfer at not too much cost. I don't want to pull anyone away from Alan's sojourn and it sounds like the end of Sunday afternoon onwards is up for some good photography.

I'd be glad for a niche VectisFest and a photowalk combined with an overnight stay - would you like to DM me a date range you're free and I'll see what I can work with Travelodge and CrossCountry rail.