About me

I’m Marcus Rattray. I’m a Professor who recently retired from full time University work to begin a new life as a creative freelancer and photographer.

I’m based in Bingley a town which nestles in the Bradford District, my adopted home. The area is a rich source of creative inspiration for me. A surprising place, with a rich DIY culture and an amazing photographic heritage.

My photographic Journey

I’ve always taken photographs. Here’s one of my first ones from 1972 of my brother and uncles playing football in my grandparents’ garden in Stanton Wick. I may have missed some of the action.

An old black and white photograph of a lawn area with a wall behind and part of a farmhouse. The field is empty of people.

I’ve been a member of Bingley Camera Club since 2016. The company of fellow members and their feedback and support has helped me develop my confidence, style and skills.

A picture of Bingley Camera club members taking photographs in Bingley Town Centre

In 2022 I collaborated with fellow Bingley Camera Club member, Michael Revill to produce a photo essay about the 1970s Bradford housing estate, Ripleyville that was being demolished at the time.

This appeared in issue 45 of The Modernist magazine: Municipal.

A picture of an apartment block with a wall and windows The block is neglected and empty looking, but one of the windows is lit

A picture of a sign for a housing estate saying Ripleyville Vere Square in ornate writing. Underneath is an overflowing refuse bin

In 2023 I had two photographs added to the Historic England archives as part of their Picturing High Streets Project

Here is a 2024 Guardian article that features my photo After the Coronation and here is a 2024 Telegraph & Argus article that features my photo Pub Lunch

A skip filled with red, white, and blue balloons following celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III

Two mobility scooters parked outside the Drum Winder public house

I’ve exhibited as part of Bingley Camera Club in our ‘Keighley in Focus’ exhibition at Keighley Creative in 2021, ‘Around our Mills & Hills’ at Cliffe Castle Museum in 2022, ‘Our Changing Environment’ in 2022 at Dandelion Café and ‘Celebrating Bradford’ at Trapezium Gallery in 2024. In 2024 I also had my first small solo exhibition ‘Bingley Banalography’ at Bingley Arts Centre

A poster advertising a Photographic exhibition. The poster has a picture of a car being driven up a hill with a wall and hedge behind. The poster text reads: Bingley Banalography. Photographs of extra-ordinary ordinariness. A mini exhibition from Bingley Camera Club member Marcus Rattray. Bingley Arts Centre Main Street Bingley BD16 2LZ. February 6 to March 15th 2024. Open 10 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday. The poster also displays the Logos of Bingley Arts Centre and Bingley Camera Club

Contact me

I am open to invitations to give talks on my photography, and for collaborations, freelance work or commissions. My photographs are available, in limited editions, for sale and licensing.

Contact me