Rewind 2016: Our photographer’s top gallery picks of the year

Whilst 2016 was not as action packed as 2015, it still was full with lots of events and exciting developments to photograph.

With the city going through many changes there were lots of events, including two new ones for 2016 featured in this top 10 alone.

All that is left to say is roll on 2017! The following is some of my favourite galleries from the year.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Comic-Con

Lincoln Comic Con was the first comic con event we covered at The Lincolnite, and it was a blast. I took along more kit than usual and set up my own area to bring cosplayers into with my flashes and softboxes and got some great results. There’s more comic con images like these from the Linc-Con event in our Lincolnshire Day gallery too.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Visitors to Lincoln Castle meet King John at two day event

King John returned as part of the historic events taking place at the Lincoln Castle. Arriving on horseback to a mixture of chants and boos, various entertainment had been laid on to mark the day including falconry displays and soldiers and knights fighting.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Half Marathon

One of the new events for this year, the Lincoln Half Marathon was hugely popular with both spectators and runners alike. For a new event, this was on a huge scale and involving a lot of organisation. The race is due to return next year and will be a lot of fun to shoot.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Thousands attend Lincoln Reindeer Parade 2016

Although the reindeer parade has happened before, and last year was scrapped, this year’s event was hugely popular. Hundreds of people lined the High Street to welcome the reindeer and get pictures. We had to stop at the train crossing as the barriers were down and I got this shot of all the people following on.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Grand Prix 2016

This year’s Lincoln Grand Prix had the perfect weather and provided a lot of entertainment to the thousands of spectators around the course. I focused on getting more photos from outside the city in the more scenic parts of the course rather than the busy castle square and I was really happy with the results.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Elton John concert at Lincolnshire Showground

It’s not everyday you get to shoot an Elton John concert, even more surprising to have it happen in Lincolnshire! This was a great evening and Elton put on a great show.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

‘Jesus’ leads Good Friday procession through Lincoln

One of the more obscure galleries from the year. The Good Friday procession through the High St and up Steep Hill drew a lot of attention as ‘Jesus’ dragged a cross to the cathedral to the bewilderment of passing members of the public. The procession made for some poignant images.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Ocean Colour Scene headline Summer’s End festival

As well as Elton John, Summers End Festival was also at the Showground and hosted the great Ocean Colour Scene, who gave a great performance. They played the hit songs ‘The Riverboat Song’ and ‘The Day We Caught The Train’.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolniite

Charity runners get ‘pretty muddy’ in Lincoln

Another new event for 2016, Pretty Muddy made for some amusing images of people getting more than a little messy! Participants had various muddy obstacles to contend with on their 5k run including a pit of muddy water with volunteers hurling buckets of mud and water at them and a giant mudslide at the end! It was certainly more fun watching it from a distance and staying warm and dry!

Lincoln 10K 2016: Results and pictures

A staple event of the year, the Lincoln 10k never disappoints for great pictures. People giving their all to get the best time, big groups pushing each other to the end and outrageous costumes. It has it all and so does the gallery!

You can buy prints of Steve Smailes’ photographs from top Lincoln events from his website here.