Bernadette Delaney Photography

Local photographer Bernadette Delaney is set to become a major contributor to Didsbury’s flourishing arts scene. Since moving to Manchester 15 years ago, and becoming increasingly disheartened by office work, Bernadette decided to follow her calling and began to forge a career in the arts.

Whilst Bernadette does a lot of commercial work in the area, her primary love is adapting her photographs to make them that little bit different, adding photo dye and a variety of tints and tones to create unique effects. She is currently in her final year of a City and Guilds course in nearby Northenden, and is setting about making her name and work known throughout Didsbury and its neighbours. At the moment her work is being exhibited in John Yates’s hairdressers on Old Oak Street, and she is working on a Didsbury based project, as well as having contributed to this year’s Didsbury calendar.

After exploring many artistic avenues, Bernadette has found portrait work to suit her, particularly working with children. As she has gained experience in the field she has become adept at bringing people’s personalities to life through her photographs. A fan of black and white film and traditional photography, Bernadette’s work is very diverse, and different to the majority of photographers working in the area at the moment. She is a particular fan of hand painting and tinting her photos, to give them that individual touch to set her above the rest.

Bernadette loves living in the area, something reflected in being an active member of the Didsbury Civic Society and the Didsbury scene. She rates the local artists highly, and thinks that it is only a matter of time before there is a Didsbury Arts Society as the arts scene in the area is thriving. The social life, the architecture, and particularly the parks and gardens appeal to her artistic nature, and are reflected in her work.

Her greatest achievement to date is seeing her work in print, and she has had plenty of opportunities since. At the moment she is working on a canvas block piece of the Didsbury nightlife, which is a wonderful display of the bustling Didsbury scene. She does undertake commissions, and she offers a variety of techniques. You could have your portrait traditionally hand printed, or mounted on canvas block for a more contemporary look.

As far as the future of her work goes, she dreams of having her work exhibited at ‘The Richard Goodall Gallery’ in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and to continue to enjoy making a living from her work. Keep a look out for more of her work!

Words by Amy Blackburn

Footnote: Bernadette's block piece on Didsbury nightlife can be viewed at the Didsbury Life office, 212 Burton Road.