After the rain in London - # 137/2011

This one looks rather good in B&W but the colours are so attractive I decided to stay with colour.

We've jumped back from Richmond and Twickenham in November, and are revisiting Central London in August.  The weather is (it seems to me) a bit better now than it was then - well sort of, plus a few "Ah, well, Yes, if that's what you want to says" thrown in.

Anyway; a nice touristical snap showing from right to left, the Ministry of Defence, Old Scotland Yard (the Police HQ before they built New Scotland Yard) the new parliamentary office buildings and then of course Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament themselves. 

The wide angle lens has given it all a bit of a curve, but who cares!

More London - # 135/2011

In stark contrast to yesterday's image of quiet Twickenham we have this view of the modern architecture in the new development called More London close to Tower Bridge, in the centre of London. 

Colour - # 120/2011

Detail of rudder and rope "fender" on canal barge, moored at Little Venice, on Grand Union  Canal, Paddington, London.

Tower Bridge after the rain-storm - # 116/2011

Looking through the glass of the high-speed river bus the scene is slightly brown-tinted and shows some traces of rain and river water droplets. But this actually enhances the drama. The terrific rain storm has passed, the sky is blue, but more "weather" is building up.

At the railway station - # 115/2011

All change at New Change 112/2011

I'm experimenting trying to "see" things differently.  Here is my vision of the magnificent glass and steel creation on the No. 1 New Change site that opened this year, opposite St.Paul's.


Below is what it looks like to the "unimaginative" eye.  I really like the light, ethereal, ultra-smooth, smokey-glass structure. Packed inside is an Aladin's Cave of shopping and commercial delights. The previous post showed how it offered a new and enjoyable view of its neighbour, St. Paul's Cathedral.

Lost in the City - # 110/2011

Over the last 20 years the City of London (the Square Mile - financial and trading district) has continued to go through a rapid and radical and highly expensive period of building renewal and transformation.  Here, glass and stone and natural light work together to create a new vista, and a new way of seeing things in a very old part of London close to the spot where the Romans founded their first London quayside.

Bright City - # 109/2011

Yes, it's real.  While America was suffering from the severe storm that wrecked the east coast all the way up beyond NYC, I went down to the mouth of the Thames to photograph the views around the Thames Barrier - the massive defensive system built decades ago to defend London from rising sea levels.  We need it and, it is regularly deployed, several times a year, to block the incoming waters that would under certain conditions devastate London all the way up to Richmond. 

Looking west towards London and the Barrier we were confronted with the sight of this massive rain storm appoaching fast.  The grey clouds above us were shedding a surprising amount of light that, unexpededly, illuminated the huge towers of the Canary Wharf financial area. In the left corner of the photo you can see that one of the massive grey walls of the Barrier has actually been raised, although all the other passages remained open.

The photo was taken at about 17.30 hrs.  By 18.30 London was once again rejoicing under brilliant blue, rain-washed-clean, sun-blessed skies. Amazing!

On Whitechapel Station 108/2011

Continuing my series of random shots from around London we reach Whitechapel in East London. The railway here, dating from 1876, so not as old as others in London which go back to 1854!!!!! has been totally renewed.

The Whitechapel area of East London is ancient and for centuries has been the settling ground for foreign refugees and immigrants - 16th century Huguenots,Jews, and now Bangladeshies and Somalis. The bright new enamel panels along the platform celebrate the immigrant and traditional local cultures of the area.

Elegant metal-work - # 107/2011

The huge Paddington Station in west London is being restored and developed and all the glorious beauty of the massive roof is being put on display.

The station is huge and always extremely busy, so "artistic" photos are hard and maybe even totally  impossible. However, I was able to capture the beatuful flower petal pattern that decorates the roof arches.  The restoration work will bring these back to our view in all their glory.     http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/7047.aspx

Iron work - # 102/2011

I've left you somewhat bereft for a while. There are reasons for that, but none of them bad.

Walking around London these days one sees that (not withstanding the nasty riots in certain areas - which will pass, and which for various reasons happen as history wends its way forward, always looking back) this great city is looking remarkably good these days, and will be looking even better by the time the Olympic Games open next year. That's an understatement: it's going to look super!!!

I'm taking a close photographic look at the architectural forms and how they work to create supporting structure and also to please the eye.  Things went a bit wrong in the 1960s and 1970s but they are much improved now, and '60s-'70s monstrosities are fast being demolished.

Massive ironwork from the 19th century Canal and Steam age manages to endure and look eternally pleasing. Here is a detail of the ironwork in a bridge over the Grand Union Canal in Little Venice, near Paddington railway station.  Take the Underground to Warwick Avenue, and walk 200 yards down to Little Venice. 

Little Venice - # 98/2011

Before the railway age great canals were built to carry goods from the industrial midlands and the farm lands into London.  The Grand Union canal entered the Thames at Brentford near Richmond, but a spur was built to travel around the northern edge (it is no longer "the edge") of London to connect with the docks and the canals serving the eastern side of England.  Here at "Little Venice", close to Paddington Station, in West London the Grand Union met the Regent's Canal and a Y shaped basin was created. This is a delightful spot in the Capital. It's a "must see" for any tourist or even resident.

Batman's London - # 96/2011

You'll have noticed a lack of "content". While looking about for a bit more inspiration and something "different" I've been spending some time trying to take a look at "the new London", and trying to see what I can make of it. Richmond itself will come back one day, but I need a rest.


This week end took me to the area around Tower Bridge and London Bridge where they are building  the new "Shard" tower  all around there is stunning new architecture with creative view points and vistas. This is indeed 21st Century London, straight out of a 1950s Marvel Comic; and one expects Batman to turn up at any moment, or maybe Superman to snatch somebody to safety, away from an oncoming red London Transport bus. I like it.


And it's very photogenic.

1/5th of a second - # 34/2011

A nice day out in London - # 32/2011

A wet day in London......you can't beat it: the shine on the asphalt, the scurrying people, the sheer colour and emotion of it all.

Where is the Green Parrot? - # 08/227

Green Parrots have been spreading slowly all over London following the escape from captivity of a pair several years ago. They eat the mortar of old houses and now they are invading my apple tree.



Can you see him / her / it?

London Central (disaster recovery - at sundown) - # 08/178

Those of you who don't know London might enjoy this panorama taken from Richmond Park, using the 400mm lens, to pick out sites that are between approx 8 and 12 miles away.

Those who know the great buildings might be intrigued to see how they seem to be not exactly where you expect them to be. (e.g. St. Paul's on the left and the Houses of Parliament near the right.) This is because of the way the Thames curves around. I was quite surprised when I looked closely. My prejudices were all shaken up - which is a good thing!!!

The climate conditions are rather nasty. The heat and traffic pollution haze upset the focal clarity.

Off-piste Cool - # 08/59

Bywater St. London SW 3, in heavy rain.

Those in the know will be aware that the street cleaners sheltering under the tree are in fact secret servicemen on duty.

38 years ago I shared a flat off the Kings Road, near Bywater St. Saturdays I would see George Smiley in Safeway doing his weekly shop: err, I mean Drop.

For those who do not know the delights of London (which is a collection of villages each with a very different character) this is a typical residential street off the Kings Rd, Chelsea, a few steps down from Sloane Sq: home to stars of stage screen and fashion.

London from Richmond Park- # 08/33

Richmond Park is high on a plateau and London sits down in the London Basin. I thought you would like to see this classic view from one of the favourite vantage points in the park. The extreme telephoto setting scrunches it all together - we a looking across about 13 miles/20 km distant. You can see the "London Eye", the big wheel which is in the West End (the City of Westminster) opposite the Houses of Parliament, and behind (almost as if they are close by) you can see the already "iconic" Gherkin tower and the mass that makes up the the City of London (the financial district). There's more to the left and right. I'm trying to get a decent night time wide angle shot, but weather conditions must be perfect.

Away with the grey!!!! - # 358

This photo is being posted as a sort of protest (or cry for help) against the effects of La Nina on the British weather today.

Last Saturday we had one brief moment of relief before the rain and thick grey clouds returned. Day after day, and without a single break, relentless thick grey cloud covers the skies (sometimes two or three layers deep) and rain pours down in almost tropical quantities.

This bright and sun-filled photo shows window cleaners on the South Bank arts centre. It was taken last weekend when 'roony invaded Ham's territory -http://londondailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/01/empty.html

Camera: Olympus E3