Brilliant shots of Bristol

Self taught photographer Jim Cossey is absolutely brilliant, taking unique photos of Bristol that have even made the front cover of the Visit Bristol Guide 2015. We caught up with Jim about his photography, a little bit about Bristol and to check out 10 of his best Bristol photos.

On photography:

Before moving to Bristol I spent 3 years living in the French Alps running ski/mountain bike chalets. I’m self taught, gaining a lot of knowledge from just experimenting with the camera and picking up tips along the way. Photography first started for me when I was 15, riding BMX with my mates with a basic point and shoot digital camera. But over the years I’ve now shifted to shooting landscape whilst more recently taking more long exposure and astrophotography shots. My favourite time to go out with the camera is around sunrise and sunset as I really love seeing the sky come alive and the soft light.

On Bristol:

The best thing about Bristol for me is the diversity of the city, you can be rock climbing along the Portway, mountain biking in Leigh Woods or hitting up some of the best craft beer bars in the west. I love to shoot Bristol at Clifton Suspension Bridge as it’s pretty special especially when the mist comes in, and the Floating Harbour for all the colours and reflections you can capture. My favourite place in Bristol is along the Floating Harbour with the colourful houses of Hotwells behind.

1. Dockside

I’m really proud of this picture. This was my winning shot for the Visit Bristol cover prize category from the 24 Hours In Bristol photographic competition. This was actually my first time shooting Bristol as I had not yet moved up here. Now you can find this on the front cover of the Visit Bristol guide 2015.

2. Hotwell’s Sunrise

Still one of my favourite views of the city, the colourful houses of Hotwells, with the gentle calm of the Floating Harbour and the warm glow of the early morning sun.

3. Clifton Suspension Bridge 150th Anniversary Fireworks

This was such a good night, though my legs where numb by the end of it after getting set up a few hours before the crowds came, but it was worth it! Still one of the best firework displays I’ve seen and what a setting to have them in.

4. BT Tower Star Trails

I love astrophotography and before moving here I spent time on the Dorset coast shooting the Milky Way, but luckily there are parts of Bristol where you can still see the stars. This is the pretty ugly or iconic (depending on which way you see it ), BT Tower at Purdwon. This is actually 60 individual photographs taken over a period of time stacked ontop of each over to create the star trails. I have recently collaborated with a french clothing company and you can now buy a t-shirt with this picture on it.

5. Wills Memorial Tower Tour Sunset

I was pretty lucky to have been asked to go on a special tour of Wills Memorial by a friend who is good friends with Gary Nott, the tour guide who gave up his free time to show as around and got us up to the tower just around sunset. This is the view from the top of the tower looking over Clifton Triangle with the trails of traffic on the streets below. Thanks again Gary!

6. Ashton Avenue Bridge

There are a few dark and dirty corners of Bristol that make for great subjects when photographing. The other side to my photography is long exposure, typically using steel wool to create different effects like this one taken on the Ashton Avenue Bridge. I really like its big steel girders that have rust and graffiti all over them.

7. Bridge Mist

I was never really into bridges before I moved to Bristol but I’ve grown very fond of Clifton Suspension Bridge, I ride under it most days and it’s always awesome to see it from the Portway. This was one of those shots I’d hope to get and one morning when the weather said ‘unusual Fog’ forecast I was up early and ready for it, luckily it all worked out.

8. Brandon Hill Park

I love Brandon Hill Park. It’s a great green space in the city and after saying hi to the cheeky squirrels it’s a trip up Cabot Tower to catch the views of the city.

9. Clifton Down

This was another misty morning in Bristol. This is the tree lined path along Clifton Down. I love the silhouettes of a family and people out jogging with the colours of autumn.

10. Different Views

As with photography sometimes its hard to get a different shot of such a well documented city. I do like this view looking back over the floating towards Cabot Tower again . I’ll let you guess where I took it from.

Like this? You’ll definitely love Neil James Brain’s photos of Bristol

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