10 Amazing Bristol Photos By Nick Church

Fantastic photos of Bristol from Nick Church

I grew up in Portishead, which to anyone my age meant knocking about in the woods, crabbing in Portishead docks, and endless summer days at the open air pool (calling it the Lido came later, to make it sound posh).

Inspired by my late Father, I became interested in photography, and particularly his interest in experimentation with a camera. In those pre-internet days, there was no way to learn new photographic techniques, and no photoshop to fix things afterwards. You pressed the shutter-release, crossed your fingers and marvelled at the fact that your developed photos would arrive by post. Seems so backwards now, but the turnaround time did make you consider composition, lines, subject and messaging behind an image pretty carefully, which has stayed with me and I hope shows through my work today.

I have always loved Bristol… so much that I have never left here; There’s an honesty and frankness in Bristol that transcends people into the architecture, art, music and culture. For a photographer like me it’s the best destination on earth! Here are my 10 favourite Bristol photos:

1. Sun Flowers at St. Nicks

This was taken on the most stunning winters morning. The warm light from St. Nicks market’s glass roof casting amazing tones across this stall. I took so many shots on this morning I made myself late!

2. Sub-Orange

Subway under the M32 in St.Pauls. A great, gritty urban scene that makes my love of perspective hard to hide. It also seems to ‘scream’ Bristol to me, as much as shots of Clifton Suspension Bridge.

3. Redcliffe Yard

I love it when you see a scene that you simply did not know existed. I must have walked along Welsh Back 1000s of times and never looked right over the water. The decaying building against the spanking new boats makes this image work so well.

4. Queens Sq.

Taken on a very cold morning, which explains why it was so empty. One of the lovely parts, although longest, of photography is the post-processing that most images need to make artwork. This one was unusual in that as soon as it became black and white, it almost jumped off the screen. I love the fact that if it was not for some cars in the distance, this could be 100 years ago.

5. Coming Home

This view will always represent coming home to me. Whenever I am in the world, this is the view I miss most, and this image allowed it to be snapped in all its glory.

6. Boardwalk

This is another example of the best camera being the one in your pocket; there is no point having a great camera, if it’s at home. While on the pier with my kids, I was suddenly struck by the view along the pier, with threatening clouds coming in over the symmetry of the pier. This is particularly popular on Canvas through my website.

7. Bristol Calling

I have included this one as I say to people that I NEVER, EVER use Photoshop other than to enhance a scene, but keeping it natural, as our memories play it back for us. This was my one exception. Without the edit to pull the phone box out of the black and white image, this is a nice shot of one of my favourite boozers, with the edit, it’s something much more characterful.

8. Lifeline

Spending time on Battery Point was a rite of passage when I grew up. The sunset on this particular evening and the lead-in lines of the walkway make this image work on load of levels and I love it.

9. Urban Industrial

Bristol has always innovated in industry and engineering. When these cranes were designed and built they were very innovative, but were also rather dangerous to operate. One of these still works, and it is the last remaining one to do so in the UK; another gold star for Bristol!

10. Painting the town red

I was a bit jealous of all the people that had gone to Glastonbury, but heading home after an event at the Colston Hall, we were given the most stunning sunset I have ever seen. It only lasted for about 15mins, but luckily my camera was at the ready and I grabbed this gorgeous scene which is one of my all-time favourites.

I recently exhibited at the brilliant Southville Centre (@SCDA) as part of the South Bank Arts Trail. The Southville Centre is an incredible social enterprise that does so much for BS3 and further afield. They took a punt on me, gave me wall space, and from that very successful exhibition, I have gone from strength to strength. I love to frame and present picture-perfect scenes from our beautiful city; those places that we must walk past every day, and with a bit of focus makes us realise how lucky we are to live here, and why Bristol has so many visitors. My new website of my work was launched in June and you can also find me on Twitter. 

That was 10 brilliant Bristol pictures from Nick Church. If you’d like your photos featured on the Best of Bristol just send us an email to features@bestofbristol.co.