Mr Sixties: Philip Townsend's Portraits of a Decade at The Lowry, Salford Quays

Mr Sixties: Philip Townsend's Portraits of a Decade opened earlier this week at The Lowry in Salford Quays. Running through until 7th November 2010, Mr Sixties is Philip Townsend's first major exhibition, despite his cult status.

Being called “Mr Sixties” is no mean feat considering the many stars and celebs that embody the vibe of the decade of love, however, few, if any, will have gotten by without one or two Townsend photo-shoots. Capturing some of the most striking images of the decade, he managed to click the likes of Twiggy, The Beatles, Alec Guiness and Nico.

He was also the first photographer to oversee a Rolling Stones photo shoot, capturing them at their youngest and poorest, just before their rise to international acclaim.

As well as the people of the time, Mr Sixties also photographed the cars, fashion and places that caught the imagination of the time. From the slick lines of the Jaguar E-Type to the likes of I Was Lord Kitchner's Valet shop on Carnaby Street, not much escaped Philip Townsend's lens.

Politicians and royalty were also big focal points for Townsend's portraits, with Winston Churchill, King Hussain of Jordan and Harold Wilson all getting the benefit of his monochrome brilliance.

Mr Sixties: Philip Townsend's Portraits of a Decade is a free exhibition at The Lowry, so it's the perfect opportunity to soak up the style, class and swing of the sixties.