Over the clouds

When I took the photo I had not realized that this view was such a classic for me. I love sitting by the window in an air-plane, looking at the space, change of clouds and skies. Such peace and endlessness.

From above

Inspired by my street photography project, I took exploring anonymity and distance a step further, and, looking down onto a specific area, I observed how people walking in and out of my picture field created a flow, a pattern, a continuity.

 

Reflections

Another recurring theme, I adore catching the city looking at itself in the window.

Landscape

Set against the traditional houses on the river bank, the Millenium Bridge seems to float across the river and, set in another time, and with the new high risers emerging in the background creates a slight visual tension where traditional meets new designs.

Black and white

Over the winter I started a street photography project. Inspired by a William Klein exhibition in the Tate Modern, I have worked in pedestrianised areas around London, freezing the moment without giving it too much thought. I noticed that I became drawn to the anonymity of people passing by at a distance, almost blending into the landscape, forming a pattern within the urban landscape.

Royal skies

Looking up into the sky, with the dramatic clouds and the flags high, this image seemed to reflect the royal spirit of London which celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee last year.

Looking down

Looking straight down onto London's streets I was amazed about how much detail I could make out. And how well it came out on a photo. The crossing gave me a point of interest I could focus on as cars came and went and buses drove by. A miniature world that did not seem to have much to do with reality.

London by night

Overlooking London, Vertigo 42 was one of the must-have-dones for me. Going up on a Saturday in winter, it was dark by 17.30 and the view over London was amazing. There is something amazing about night photography. Givng the world we know sparkle and a sense of irreality, as if it was a fairy tale.

Structures

Structures seem to be a recurring theme for me. I'm attracted and fascinated by the shades and shapes leafless trees make against the blue sky. At this time of year, when the sun shines directly on the bark, the light brings out the slightly greenish glow of the moss that covered the trees over the dark and damp months.

Chinese or Mc Donalds?

Walking along a little street in central London, I noticed the little Chinese take-away filled with steam. The steam condensating on the windows gave the shop a dream like appearance while the darkness allowed an imprint of the competition opposite.

Park view

Catching the morning sun, the sight of typical London houses with their roof extensions overlooking the park.

Staircase

Taking a photo of a staircase is such a classic, and I could not resist to explore the theme. Structure, light and geography.

 

The invitation

Would you like to take a moment? Unspoken moments. I felt drawn to this bench and the shadows cast around it by the trees.

Visitor

Caught in the act, I wanted to 'freeze' the cat's skill which seemed to easily glide across the fence. I think this shot worked quite well as the cat was in the sun's spot light and looked straight at me.

Shadows on the wall

While exploring this exhibit at the Tate Modern, what stood out for me were the 'paintings' the shadow the visitors projecting to the walls. Adding a few light effects from the projector and mobile phones, the experience developed into a delightful play of shadows and light.

Morning walks

Exploring the change of season, I went back to take a photo of the same scenery. This is an ongoing project over the next months to explore how the light, colours and textures change during the year.

Spring

This seems to have been a long and dark winter and I was ever so pleased to find the little messengers of Spring extending their colourful greeting. A nice opportunity to go up close and take this focused and detailed shot.

Happy Valentines

 

Guess what ... No, I could not resist that sparkly with candle light. And that's what I made of it: another painting by camera.

Portrait?

Still working on the photos I took with the London School of Samba, my attention was drawn to this shot which to me seems a mixture between portrait and street photography. With an air of spontaneity, it puts the dancer in the unusual context of the shop and passer-bys.

Impressions

Out and about with the London School of Samba bringing the carnival spirit to London, I enjoyed studying dance photography with a difference. Combining the moment of movement and coloured stage light, I 'painted' a photography.

Reflections

From self-created abstracts through movement to taking photos of real life. After dark, I was walking by a window and saw these light reflections. And I am still amazed how well they translated into a photo.

Stormy days?

Looking at photos from indicated international journalists, I noticed that some use blurring to add a note of drama to their photos. So, of course, I could not resist trying it out myself. What do you think, does this look dramatic and stormy?

Winter

Living in London, weather, as much as change of season, is an ongoing theme. Going back to the same part of the park where I took a picture the other week, I thought that this stretch allows me to follow up on the changes we go through in this part of the world, and to catch the different mood, colours, light and shades.

Winter structures

As snowy weather has settled in, I've had time to observe the impact it makes to the visual of the environment. The white has transformed the landscape. Looking more closely, I feel drawn to the patterns the snow is sculpturing into the landscape.

White landscape

By the afternoon it stopped snowing and I went out to look at different ways of working with 'snow'. What was my fascination with snow? How did it impact on the environment? I love the white, the texture, the way snow settles itself on other surfaces.

Winter mood

The weather forecast for today was 'snow'. And before I had finished my coffee it had started. Camera in hand I went on exploring different ways of working with the theme. This picture came about while simply shooting out of my front window. I think it catches the mood of the winter day and how the snowing impacts on us while we go about our every day routines.

Winter mood

Tempting to think the photo is underexposed, but it was simply another gloomy winter morning, with a bit of a hint of white on the branches of the trees.

A bit of fish-eye

Standing a bit removed, I was exploring different ways of taking photos of the crowds below and came across the fish-eye filter. I hadn't used a fish-eye lense before but thought the filter added a bit of something to the scene.

A bit of warmth

Fire, like water, is an element I can rarely resist to take photos of. It is the ever-changing nature of this element, that fascinates me. And, as I sat by the fire, out came the camera and I tried to 'catch' a bit of that magic.

From above

From the air. The visual of a winter day. Cold, wet, frosty, with a bit of haze. Taking my camera wherever I go increasingly inspires me to experiment with pictures. Can I make my experience into a visual that will inspire others? Many of my friends who live in a tropical climate and have never experienced a bitter cold winter have asked how it feels like. Is it possible to convey winter with a photo, or is the photo a reminder of a feeling for those of us who know?