Paul Williams | Manchester, England

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I’m a documentary style photographer & filmmaker originally from New Zealand and now living in England. I love coffee, bikes and trotting all over the globe with my camera in tow.

Where do you live? I live in Manchester in the North of England. Such an awesome city!

Can you tell us a little bit about how you come to photography? I started shooting on my Dad’s old Pentax film camera when I was 10 and I was instantly hooked. Studied Film at University and the rest is history.

Tell us a little about the cycling culture in Manchester? There is a big road bike scene in Manchester. 15 mins outside the city and you are in the countryside so lots of great climbs like Mam Tor, Winnets Pass and the Wizard.  

There is a Fixed Gear scene as well, 01FIX1 (A play on the 0161 Manchester phone area code) good bunch of guys/gals who usually meet up at Sandbar off Oxford Road which is a popular pub for messengers before heading out for local rides, alleycats and skills sessions.

Where would be your dream destination for cycling in the UK and why? Personally I love the Lake District. Stunning views, some incredibly challenging climbs and plenty of interesting places to stay.  My last visit I stayed in a converted shed with a hot tub! Lots of great off road riding as well.

What do you love about cycling culture? I love the togetherness cycling culture brings. It’s like a big collective family where everyone from all walks help each other out. On a recent cycling trip to New Zealand a couple I rode with near Christchurch ended up putting me up for the night in their home, washed my kit and did some maintenance on my bike. No questions asked.

We still in touch and I’m hoping to ride with them in 2018 when I’m back over.

Best photo/cycling moment so far? My first Red Hook Crit for Aventón when Colin Strickland crossed the line to win in Milano No. 6. I climbed onto some railings and got the shot. Always a good feeling!

Number 1 moment so far though is definitely cycle touring New Zealand in 2016. Probably the hardest and most rewarding thing I have done to date. I need to top that now! I’m thinking maybe death road in Bolivia might do it.

Life-Motto? ‘Do what you can’t’ I watched a recent youtube video by Casey Neistat which really resonated with me especially working in the creative industry.

Favorite two photos you have taken recently and why?

1. One on the bucket list which was an awesome experience. On a recent trip to Iceland I travelled to the plane wreck on black sands beach. It was eerie and isolated, just a plane wreck on a beach in the middle of nowhere.

2. As well as bikes I shoot weddings, I shot at London Zoo last weekend which was a lot of fun. We managed to jump on the carousel which just summed up the day perfectly.

What makes you stop and take a photo? I’m a documentary photographer so anything that peeks my interest. I love capturing people off guard and unaware I’m there with my camera. There’s something really satisfying about taking a photo when people aren’t posing.

Our readers can find out more about you:

Instagram: gingerbeard_photo

Facebook: Ginger Beard PHOTO

Website:  www.gingerbeardphoto.cc

 

Additional, anything else you'd like to tell us? I’m heading to NYC for Red Hook Crit Brooklyn No10 which is a city I have wanted to visit since I was a kid.  I think there will be a lot of favourite new images thats for sure.


Share this post


Leave a comment

Note, comments must be approved before they are published