Bradford Eye

The reason I instigated the building of this site was the realization that I had a large number of negatives (mainly black & white) taken in and around Bradford from the late 60s to the late 8os which would never be seen unless I did something radical about bringing them to a wider audience, this I did! So with the name decided, colour scheme, and logo, BradfordEye came into being November 2009. I realize it's still in its infancy and fully, and not so fully aware of the mistakes I've made, I'm also sure more will be unearthed! I think what's surprised me more is the fact that its been so well received, judging from the e-mails received. Now the future, whilst its good to drop into the past and rekindle memories of times past, one has to be also looking forward, after all, pictures taken today do become our past. For that reason I opened Bradford Photographer's Gallery" and "In and Around the Bradford Postcode", these can be found in Gallery 3. This is to encourage local photographers to submit their pictures, in the knowledge that they would be viewed on a UK Bradford dedicated site, and that they would retain full copyright. I'm aware there are a number of sites, Social Networking and dedicated Image sites around, but pictures get swallowed by these sites, and there's precious little in the form of words giving any background to the submitted picture. This I would like to alter by encouraging photographers to bolt some words when they submit to BradfordEye. I do regard this site as a Photographic site, after all that's where I hail from career wise, so I'm hoping that serious photographers around the Bradford area will find the BradfordEye website, and be encouraged to submit their images. Just not to many! For with an unpaid staff of one (me), with dodgy health plus advancing years, it can take some motivating, getting me to sit at a computer for hours on end.

Opportunity to take these pictures came my way because I worked in the Photographic Retail Trade. This was with various companies, starting in 1967 with a small Photo/Chemist, 1970 a large multiple then finally in 1975 with a well established independent, Bradford Camera Exchange, that is still going to this day, the only one in Bradford I believe. I left there in 1989 and photography took a backseat for a large number of years, so now this is me looking back at the people, places and characters that were in Bradford all those years ago.

I hope you enjoy looking at them and if there is anyone who remembers those days, or any of the people in the pictures, please send an e-mail and I will reply as soon as time allows.

The first batch of pictures were taken in the city and, whilst some are of indifferent quality, I do intend to restore those later and put them back minus scratches etc. In the meantime I feel it is best to get them on asap, as I know I'm not getting any younger and it's important to get content on first.

Where I've been able to, I have put in a small description of the picture and where people are featured I've made valiant efforts to remember their names. Should my memory prove to be wrong please e-mail me bradfordeye@yahoo.co.uk that I may put it right.

For keeping up to date as to what I get up to around this great city, just go to the search bar at the top "Updates" next to the Welcome page on the left. That should do it!

In closing, I would like to thank Andrew (who was studying graphics at Bradford University), for the help re the design, (by the way congrats on the degree), the build and the invaluable help he gave me regarding the managing of the site. Also to my wife Elaine for her encouragement and help with punctuation, spelling etc. PS! Should any mistakes have slipped through the net, it probably means that I forgot to ask her to check. In other words - my fault entirely!!

This year ( January 2012) I've started a venture called Profiling your business Take a look on the Welcome page for details

Martin - BradfordEye

BradfordEye 1968

BradfordEye

BradfordEye atop the Provident Financial PFG former head office Sunbridge Rd 2011. Go to Gallery 3 to see pictures taken from the top of the building.

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