Muse Sponsors New Salford Night School

A new night school is opening in Salford thanks to the talent, vision, and generosity of acclaimed Salford based photographer, Simon Buckley.

In 2021 construction work began at a derelict surface car-park in the city of Salford where Eden, the UK’s most sustainable office building now stands, resplendent with its striking 36,000 square foot living façade which is home to 350,000 plants. Capturing the transformation of this previously brownfield site into a vibrant city landmark through monthly shoots was photographer Simon Buckley.

Having lived in Salford and Manchester for most of his life, Simon’s work often explores the themes of transition, frequently within the urban environment through his well known project Not Quite Light, and this made him a perfect match with the job. Working closely with our team on Eden, along with other projects in the region, contributed to a growing fascination for Simon examining the themes of heritage and regeneration, using at dawn and dusk as metaphor for that change.

In addition, and quite naturally, his work has also led Simon to reflect on the community he lives and works in (he’s based at Islington Mill in Salford), the power of placemaking to bring people together, and the opportunity photography provides to help make sense of the world around us. All this, in turn, inspired Simon to launch the Not Quite Light (NQL) night school.

Explains Simon:

“I’ve often considered why it is that I’ve ended up as a photographer, actually an artist really. It comes from a place of curiosity, an attempt to try and make sense of the world around me. When I frame the view in front of me, and click the shutter, I often experience a degree of peace and calm, and am thankful that I’ve spent time observing and then interacting with the details of life around me. The creative process is really very mindful.

That feeling, that experience, is something I consider to be of real benefit to my mental health and which drives deeper my connection with where I live and work. As such, it has become something I could see value in sharing with the local community by enabling access to photography as a hobby, or even a profession.

By setting up the Not Quite Light night school, I am hoping to not only encourage people to try out something new, or give hobbyists a boost to their skills, but also perhaps inspire a new career, or spark connections and friendships amongst those who meet by coming along, be they residents or people who commute into the city for work.”

Being run from Simon’s Islington Mill studio in the Chapel Street area of Salford, the night school is launching mid-October with an initial set of two six-week courses consisting of:

– Learn Urban Night Photography

– Take Better Photos

There will then be two further courses which start in January:

– How to make a short film

– Take better portraits

At the end of the courses, Simon will be hosting an exhibition at the studio showcasing the best work from all those who have taken part.

With a commitment and passion for supporting the growth and success of the places and people we work with, Muse is subsidising 25% of the course places to help make them accessible to those who live in area for whom the cost may have been prohibitive.

Capturing the essence of Salford and its people – a place brimming with pride and passion, a place where everyone looks out for and supports each other – we are proud to be supporting this first series of courses with the NQL Night School and looking forward to seeing what comes next!