My life through a lens: Steve Ellwood
We've been asking a North East-based photographer to open up their archives and select two handfuls of images which encapsulate life as they’ve captured it
It was during the 1980s when 70-year-old Steve Ellwood started taking photographs of Newcastle’s architecture.
“As a result of the mass demolition of buildings in Newcastle to make way for the Eldon Square Shopping Centre, I started to find it difficult to recall some of the buildings that I had witnessed pre 1970s,” he says.
“In an effort to start recording the existing buildings I created a photograph archive which I then put in the public domain via the internet.”
Happy to describe himself as an amateur photographer, the retired civil servant has shied away from requests to take wedding photos over the years, saying “The responsibility for a once in a life occasion has always put me off!”
Steve’s photography has, however, featured in the three books he has authored, Newcastle in 50 Buildings, River Tyne and 50 Gems of Northumberland.
“My photography relates mainly to architecture and maritime craft,” he says. “The maritime angle comes from being a cadet engineering officer on deep sea trawlers in Hull during my late teens.
“I also try to capture events of importance.”
Steve, who grew up in Westerhope and lives in Whitley Bay, captured the arrival of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, following its journey from Howdon to Gateshead and has also documented the Durham Miners Gala.
“Fantastic banners and their proud bearers,” he says.
“New buildings on Tyneside are also an interest and I have often recorded their stages from demolition to building to completion.”
A Newcastle City Guide, Steve says the chance to photograph parts of a building not usually available for public view is what he is always looking for.
“I usually take photographs of the buildings not usually open as part of the Heritage Open Days. The chance to see the internal aspect of a building is a delight and I try at every chance to photograph things which aren’t usually seen by the public.”
When it comes to the work of other photographers, Steve cites Michael Bailey (former subject of this series) and veteran North East landscape and aerial photographer, Graham Peacock.
And the obligatory tips for aspiring snappers?
1. Use whatever devices you have to record an image
2. Don’t be put off by people who might think you are somehow strange for taking photographs.
3. Be prepared to share your images via social media.
You can follow Steve on Flickr and X.
1. Back to Jarrow, 1981
Back To Jarrow was organised by the Northern Regional Council of the Labour Party on November 1, 1981 to commemorate the arrival of the original Jarrow Crusade in London’s Hyde Park on November 1, 1936.
The 1981 march was a continuation of a sponsored walk from Consett to Jarrow.
Photographed to document the march for posterity in black and white film including the original Jarrow Crusade banner.
Conjures up the day’s when photography was an expensive business and every shot taken had to be right. Unlike today’s digital photography where the cost is in the initial purchase of the camera.
2. Black Gate and Keep
Taken July 14, 2023 from the tower of Newcastle Cathedral which offers some fantastic photographs of the surrounding city.
Chosen because its amazing the amount of history that can be squeezed into one photograph.
I’m always on the look out for positions where the public don’t usually get to take a photograph.
3. Durham Miners Gala
The image sums up the pride in which folk of former coal mining town and villages still take pride in their ancestral history. Taken on July 9, 2022 when I documented the day from start to finish with well over a thousand images of the marvellous banners and people taking part in the procession.
4. Newcastle Cathedral
Taken from the Amen Corner side of Newcastle Cathedral on July 15, 2022 and included to show off both the Lantern Tower but also to show that architectural photographs do not have to include the whole building.
One of my top 10 Newcastle buildings both inside and out. If your readers haven’t visited the inside of the Cathedral then they should, it encapsulates so much on Newcastle’s history.
5. Northern Goldsmiths
Photographed August 3, 2021, this is the Pilgrim Street ‘Golden Fairy Clock’ at Northern Goldsmith’s, one of two the other being on Westgate Road at their former premises.
Chosen as it is one of Newcastle’s famous statues and also back in the day a popular meeting place, ‘see you under the golden fairy’.
6. QE2
This was the final visit to the Tyne by the cruise liner Queen Elizabeth II on October 8, 2008. On this occasion I was on a pleasure cruise and took the opportunity to capture her elegant lines as we passed the Northumbrian Quay at North Shields.
Chosen as it was a very special occasion and thousands turned out to view her arrival and departure from Tyneside.
7. Queen Victoria
This is the statue to Queen Victoria which stands to the side of Newcastle Cathedral. Cast in bronze it was designed by Alfred Gilbert and unveiled in 1903.
Chosen for its detail and also its colour, taken June 10, 2023.
8. RVI
Located on the front lawn of the Royal Victoria Infirmary and photographed September 14, 2022.
Perhaps not everyone will have seen the statue of Queen Victoria given its isolated position away from the modern day hospital building and that is why it was chosen.
White marble by George Frampton and unveiled by King Edward VII on the 11th of July 1906.
9. Tyne Bridges
Photographed from the middle of the Tyne on June 8, 2014 to show both sides of the Tyne Gorge together with its fine bridges and architecture.
Chosen as the view gives so much to see.
10. Tyne God
Photographed October 13, 2015 at Newcastle Civic Centre and is in my opinion the most impressive piece of public art in the city.
By David Wynne it was unveiled in 1968 the 2.5m high bronze figure was originally black in colour, over the years it has changed with the weather and is a mixture of greens and browns. Selfishly chosen as the sculpture is one of my favourites.