Photographer Campbell Ramage takes pictures in Glasgow for exhibition at Maryhill Burgh Halls

Approaching people in the street doesn’t come naturally to Campbell Ramage, so taking pictures of strangers was a nerve-wracking prospect.

But throughout 2022, he did just that.

After receiving a new camera for Christmas, the photographer decided to connect with others by taking pictures of people he met around Maryhill – as the country opened up from another lockdown.

The Maryhill Is Wonderful exhibition will run until April. Campbell Ramage

“After a rough couple of years, coming out and getting people with a smile on their faces again was part of the motivation,” Campbell said.

The photographer would wander around the area on a Friday. He knew some of those he captured, but many others were people he encountered along the way.

“The first picture that I took was Eddie – I must have walked past him about three or four times, and I thought he’d be a great picture to take.

Eddie was the first person captured for the exhibition. Campbell Ramage

“I was just so nervous about going up and asking him, and eventually I thought ‘well, this is why you’re doing it, so just go and see’.

“He let me take his picture and it’s great, it just went from there. I got the bug after that and thought ‘just keep going’.”

Campbell Ramage began the project after he got a new camera. STV News

The photos are now in an exhibition at Maryhill Burgh Halls, aiming to highlight the beauty of the area.

Amongst those featured is Martin Walport, who has owned the jeweller Martins of Glasgow for 36 years.

Campbell popped into his shop one day and asked if he could take his picture, leaving his subject “proud”.

“I think it’s caught me well,” Martin said. “The chains hanging in front are actually the chains from a clock coming down and I thought it was a very clever shot.”

Martin Walport has been a jeweller in the area for 36 years. Campbell Ramage

Campbell took local artist Louise Nolan’s photograph while she was working on a community project.

“The photographs are about showing what we do,” said Louise. “It’s not just about posing, it’s about what we do with our hands, how we create stuff, how we make things, and it captures that really well.

Louise Nolan was pictured working on a community art project. Campbell Ramage

“People in this community are brilliant, and being able to capture that and show it locally is really special.”

Melanie Farrow, chief executive at Maryhill Burgh Halls, said: “We’re community run, we’re community led, so it’s really important that we reflect the community we’re in.