London weekends

Don’t leave home without your cameras. Well, always have at least one. When my husband is home, I do try and squeeze as much into the diary as possible. So, when meeting friends in London we’ve decided to make two whole weekends of it and of course, I’ve taken my camera.

I am in London and out and about, very fortunate to stay in two very different places. I was determined not to make these trips about photography, but about my friends. I tend to be an early riser, so Sunday I am up early around dawn to see what I can find. As you know, the urban landscape is not my natural habitat, maybe it’s all the people…. On my first foray with my cameras, I felt that I couldn’t see anything beyond the obvious, however, the closer I looked (Using my second sight - as Granny Weatherwax used to say) the more I saw.

London is full of very well known and very well documented landmarks but I prefer to try and find some different corners. I am very excited to find two architectural images that will definitely make it into the gallery.  They are very different. The first highlighting the different buildings that define modern London. Basic orange brink, opposite grey concrete with a glass building between them.  The other a minimalistic building cladding that immediately catches my eye. I’ve deliberately taken it at an angle because I think it just adds extra interest.

I am a little more relaxed on my second visit to a different part of London; I also had more time. Again, out and about quite early. There were more people up and about too, dragging cases to and from the stations.  

I found the simple ‘Underground’ signs very graphic, simple and interesting. There were several different ones in the Kings Cross, St Pancras area. They make interesting images on their own but I think they make an attractive set too. Alternatively, mix them up with the bikes and windows for an abstract look at London.  

The area around Granery Square was more exciting, with lots of curious corners. Some areas make for some fascinating street photography,

While others are perfect for the gallery (or more correctly); perfect for your wall.  Obviously, there were some interesting doors, one to the station and one high in the building for historical deliveries of coal. The Coal House had lovely colourful windows, with letters on. They are giving me some ideas… let’s just say that I am looking for other letters.

I absolutely love the Gasholders, now stunningly transformed into homes. The pale cloudy sky works better, I think, than a blue one would, reducing the palette to greys and browns with some yellow highlights. It makes a great image.

Surprised to find any plant life to photograph in cold January, I grabbed a couple of shots at floristry shops and was amazed to find some plants in huge pots dotted around. They all have lots of texture and shading, that I wish I had taken more.

It just goes to show really that there are interesting things to see everywhere, not only the big landmarks that everyone sees but small interesting corners too. So don’t forget to look!