Photographer reflects on iconic ‘rainstorm’ snap five years on

We’ve all been there—caught in the city, unprepared, without an umbrella, and suddenly drenched by a rainstorm that seemed to come out of nowhere.

It’s just part of living in Manchester, this great old city.

Five years ago in Castlefield, something magical happened during one of these sudden downpours.

What started as an ordinary day turned into an iconic moment captured in a photograph.

Rainstorm by Simon Buckley

This is the story of Simon Buckley’s ‘rainstorm,’ a picture that not only transformed his career but also resonated deeply with the spirit of Manchester.

Simon vividly remembered that day. “I was standing at Castlefield Station, waiting about. The rain was relentless, but there was this beautiful light breaking through the clouds in the distance.”

“I pushed myself to get off the platform and went through the rain to capture the moment. My iPhone got soaked, and the screen froze after a few shots, but in that instance, everything came together perfectly.”

It’s this kind of dedication and spontaneous artistry that Simon is known for in Manchester.

Simon’s photography career

Simon’s journey into photography began with editorial work for major magazines like Elle and Telegraph. However, his career took a significant turn in the mid-2000s when he decided to explore a different path.

“I was living in the Northern Quarter and started a project called Not Quite Light,” Simon explained.

“At the time, I was going through a personal transition. It was the end of a long relationship, and I was seeing the world through a very raw and emotional lens. The city of Manchester, with its evolving landscape, became intricately tied to my own experiences.”

This personal and artistic synergy led him to places like Angel Meadow, where he pondered the city’s history and its future.

“Standing above the gravestones at St. Michael’s Flags, looking at the light from the co-op building, I thought about what would happen if that light brought the buried souls back to life.

“It was this kind of creative thinking that fueled Not Quite Light,” he notes.

Not Quite Light

You can check out Not Quite Light on the website here

Simon’s work received widespread acclaim, but it was ‘Rainstorm’ that catapulted him into the spotlight.

“I uploaded the photo to Twitter without any expectations. When I checked back later, it had gone viral. Figures like Stephen Fry and Derren Brown retweeted it. It felt like having a mini hit single,” Simon recalled with a laugh.

Yet, this sudden burst of fame came with its challenges. “At first, I was genuinely unnerved by the reaction. People assumed I had some grand plan or agenda, but it was pure coincidence. I was there at the right moment,” he says.

The photograph has embedded itself in the collective memory of Manchester.

“I think the nostalgic element of Rainstorm appeals to many who have seen the city change so rapidly. It’s almost like a piece of old Manchester that people hold onto,” Simon reflected.

“It’s on every continent now, and I think it brings comfort to ex-Mancunians who cherish the city’s essence.”

“The photo gave me freedom to experiment as an artist”

Rainstorm has also had a profound impact on Simon’s career. “It gave me the freedom to experiment as an artist. I now record sound, make films, and approach photography in much more experimental ways,” he shares.

Simon continues to express a deep-seated connection to Manchester, not just as a city but as a living, breathing entity.

“Manchester gets into your blood,”

“Manchester gets into your blood,” he said with a laugh.

“This city is continually changing; it’s dynamic and full of intense energy. My work, especially with Not Quite Light, has been a eulogy to the city I love, even with its complexities.”

His love for Manchester is akin to a relationship with a difficult teenager.

“At times, it annoys the hell out of me, but ultimately, it amazes me, and I have an undeniable affection for it,” he admitted.

“I think anyone who spends a good part of their life here understands that sentiment. You have to really know Manchester to love it.”

Walking through the streets of Salford or the Northern Quarter, Simon often reflects on how the architectural shifts mirror personal growth and change. “Low-rise Victorian Manchester had a certain charm and beauty.

“With the new high-rises, the city has become one of shadows, changing our relationship with the horizon and the light. It’s still beautiful, just different. The new city is perhaps still growing into its identity.”

Despite the nostalgia for the old Manchester, Simon doesn’t shy away from the future.

“I’m not a Luddite. I’m genuinely interested in the development and change of the city.

“What matters is how we change it, not whether we should change it.”

A perfect snapshot of Manchester

Rainstorm is indeed an iconic snapshot of Manchester, capturing a city in the midst of changing weather—both literally and metaphorically.

Simon’s personal narrative intertwines seamlessly with the city’s evolution, telling a story of resilience, adaptation, and unexpected beauty.

He philosophises about the city’s architectural evolution.

“A low-rise city like Victorian Manchester holds a very different relationship to us compared to a high-rise city like today’s Manchester. The heights, shadows, and vistas change our subconscious relationship with our surroundings.

“It’s fascinating to see how people react to these changes, often reverting to nostalgia.”

How ‘Rainstorm’ allowed him to experiment

Simon’s journey encapsulated in Rainstorm is more than a single moment caught on camera; it is a testament to his resilience and adaptability as a creative individual.

“Rainstorm allowed me the freedom to take risks as an artist and pushed me down new paths,” he says. “Being able to experiment and tell my stories in new ways has been a significant gift.”

As our conversation winds down, Simon’s reflections on the cultural dynamics of Manchester provide a poignant close. “This city doesn’t do things normally.

“It’s eclectic, instinctive, and that’s its charm,” he mused.

“Once you begin to know it, it’s very difficult to leave it. The relationship people build with Manchester is unique.”

For Simon, photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about preserving moments of a city that’s constantly on the move.

“When I photograph Manchester, it’s my way of paying homage to a city I love, despite its changing façade. It’s a love letter to both the past and the future.”

In the end, Rainstorm remains an iconic moment in Simon’s career and in Manchester’s visual history.

For Simon, it’s a reminder of the beautiful collisions of coincidence that life can offer.

He may have found himself at Castlefield Station on a rainy day purely by chance, but the impact of that serendipitous moment has been anything but ordinary.