Waiting in Lock 91 Photo

Photographer’s Note

Manchester is a canal city. I didn't know this until my first visit in June, this year. I have previously uploaded a photo taken in the Castlefield canal basin, where three canals meet - the Rochdale, Bridgewater and Ashton canals. There is also the Manchester Ship Canal, not connected to these smaller ones. In this photo we see a boat owner navigating Lock number 91 of the Rochdale Canal as the gates close behind his narrow boat. From here it is only a few hundred metres to the Castlefield basin. His wife or companion leans on the gates at the other (western) end of the lock, ready to wind it open.

The Rochdale Canal is a navigable 'broad' canal, meaning it and the locks are wide enough for boats of 14 feet (about 4.3 metres) width. Other 'narrow' locks can only be used by boats of 7 feet (2.15 metres) width. The name 'Rochdale' refers to the town of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, through which the canal passes. It runs for 51km across the Pennine range of mountains east of Manchester (what the English call mountains, anyway) from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire. It was completed in 1804, although it had first been proposed in 1776. Cotton, wool, coal, limestone, timber, salt and general merchandise were transported. The last complete journey was made in 1937, and the canal was closed in 1952, to be later effectively cut in two by the construction of the M62 Motorway. By 1965 the 9 locks in central Manchester were unusable, but in 1974 dedicated supporters had reopened the Ashton canal and begun restoring small sections of the Rochdale canal and the 9 city locks. Work continued through the 1980s and 1990s, and the full length of the canal was reopened in 2002.

Beside the lock, to its right, is a series of arches supporting a railway viaduct. The arches have now been converted into a two-level shopping and restaurant area.

snunney, LeeLoo, trekks, ChrisJ, Vasa, JCG, Kielia, jhm, Royaldevon, skippy007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (34684) 2009-10-30 5:38

Hello Andrew,
An interesting daily life composition with a sense of vitality. The lock gate makes an interesting and appropriate frame. Good colours and sharpness.

LeeLoo (4998) 2009-10-30 5:59

Dear Andrew McRae!
Very interesting boat.
Wonderful lonely woman.
Original composition.
Good natural colors.
Very fine note.
TFS!

holmertz (9564) 2009-10-30 9:51

Hello Andrew,
The canals constructed 200 years ago remain witnesses of engineering marvels of older days, although they usually no longer serve their original purposes. Passing through a lock and feeling the boat rise or sink will never lose its excitement. You have captured this fascinating moment very well, also showing some of the old surroundings.
Regards,
Gert

alftrek (2783) 2009-10-30 19:44

Hello Andrew,
I enjoy reading your informative notes. As the canals have been made redundant by the modern highways, I wonder what is the point of restoring it beside its value as a historial relic. It must have been an interesting sight to see it operating as the boat moves though the gates. I like you POV showing the detailed wooden gate in the foreground while making sure that the man in the boat is still visible.
Nice one.

Alfred

delpeoples (5858) 2009-10-31 2:24

Hi Andrew, these locks really are fascinating and form such an interesting part of English history. I recently saw a "British murder film" centred around them and loved every minute of it. Also interesting to see the man at work, part of history and yet still necessary today. Lovely sharp image, beautiful colour and the water is well-captured. TFS, Lisa

ChrisJ (70099) 2009-10-31 6:19

Hello Andrew

Not quite as big as the Yangzi 3 Gorges Loch, but good colour, sharpness & framing. The white haired gentleman adds scale. Have a good weekend!

Vasa (5432) 2009-10-31 15:29

Merci Andrew de ta note. Je l'ai lue a la lettre et j'apprends les choses. Etant le fun de Manchester United, cette ville m'interesse enormement. Ta photo et la note, comme je le disais, me sont bienvenues. Tres fier de tes visites, ami. Have the best spring!

Branko

kschanna (2634) 2009-11-01 1:21

Hello Andrew,

You've captured the lock well and still managed to get the whole vessel in the frame. Very well managed.

It must take a long time to make their way through the canals with numerous locks.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

JCG (25173) 2009-11-01 1:33

Hello Andrew,

Delicate moment that these passages of locks… I think that there is only this kind of narrow barges which can borrow these narrow passages. An interesting photograph and of beautiful quality where we feel all the attention that this person carries to the operation and thank you for the instructive note.

With all my friendships and very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

Kielia (8397) 2009-11-01 8:20

Hi Andrew,
a very fascinating scene and very well captured.
Your notes are very informative and interesting and made me curious to learn more about Manchester and the city’s waterways. Concering the engineering marbels I agree to Gert. You have captured an exciting moment and created a wonderful impression!
Warm regards
Harriet

Longroute (9203) 2009-11-01 12:49

I should say it's a masterful composition beside being a fine photo. You exploited very well the gate of the lock to create a very good sense of perspective and depth. I like those nearly diagonal lines. The photos is very clear and the colours quite saturated and bright even if the sunshine seems absent. I find the subject very interesting, but that's due to my "professional" bias, I've always wished to sail with my boat in one of such canals with the locks...
TFS,
Donato

John_F_Kennedy (31229) 2009-11-02 6:05

Hello Andrew,
Great perspective. Nice composition and excellent contrast. Some weeks ago I was in Birmingsham and could see them there.
Best wishes,
Achim

pattabe (415) 2009-11-03 0:39

Hi Andrew,

good composite from this wonderful boat, a natural representation of everyday life, well captured.

Regards Freddy (Bangkok)

jhm (82297) 2009-11-03 3:17

Hello Andrew,

I see this same system very a lot, not far of my house can this see everyday.
I find this always very nice when you see the water very quick different with a lot hullabaloo, very well colours and presentation.
Very well composition. TFS.

Kind regards,
John.

Waylim (10741) 2009-11-03 11:59

Hi Andrew,
Looking at this photo, it is hard to image that this boat can be going anywhere at all. It seems a very tight space, but I'm sure once out side of the gate, it has more room for maneuvering.
Once again a very good quality shot, good sharpness and details, the texture of the wooden rail is well defined. POV is interesting looking through the railing down into the canal. Well managed light, good color, very natural. Thanks
Way

Royaldevon (5890) 2009-11-04 1:42

Hello Andrew,

A lovely photograph, accompanied by interesting notes of an area which is very much on my doorstep! Although I do need to take issue about 'The Pennine Mountains'; we never call them mountains, just 'The Pennines'.

The big wooden girder in the f/g acts as a warning of the dangers and holds back the view for a brief moment. Through this, we see excellent details of the lock, with is frothing water influx, and the barge with its extreme length.
The two people add interest but also unite the shot from front to back.
Great sharpness throughout to maintain the viewers interest.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

skippy007 (6967) 2009-11-05 0:28

Hello Andrew, interesting place to visit I'm sure, it's a shame that these type of places aren't working anymore, at least this one has been restored & used to a certain extent, I guess it's all to do with what we call "progress". Interesting how you used the gate to show the different water levels & the railing to frame this shot. Nice natural colour, good contrast & clarity.
I was hoping to see in WS those English "mountains" you mentioned.
Cheers
Santo

batalay (20836) 2009-11-08 0:34

Hello Andrew,

A superlative note, befitting the wonderful photo. I was invited to give a lecture there to the Philosophical Society, but I was not able to get there. Seeing your TE package, I realize I must do must do my best to make that happen. This industrial city was so important in the industrial revolution. Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

burraburra (843) 2009-11-20 2:18

Hi Andrew,
Marvelous engineering feat.
Thanks for the informative note.
Great photograph. Clean, clear and sharp.
Cheers,
Graham.

hains (3787) 2009-11-21 9:10

Hi! Andrew

Good shot of this lock and the boat waiting. The picture shows the high dive and also uen good depth of field. Good info

Regards Mario