Window cleaning

Every now and then I cannot resist a little curiosity. I was walking along a street in the neighbourhood of Ipanema in the early morning and my attention got caught by this lady's creativity on how to get on with the job.

Different perspectives

The place we stayed in while in Rio de Janeiro had a safety net across all windows. Usually done as a safety precaution for families with small children,  I thought this was an interesting new challenge to my photography. And since it prevented me from taking photos by looking down into the streets, I soon became fascinated to work with this different perspective.

Urban wildlife

While walking in Rio de Janeiro's neighbourhood Leme, I came across the Marmoset or locally called Micos, little monkeys found along the Brazilian coast line. This species is said to have been introduced from the northern state of Bahia and have settled so successfully that biologists fear they are becoming a problem to local wildlife. In Rio they have become used to people and were utterly at ease in our presence. A couple of shots, I could not miss.

Light and shade

While back in London I'm still working through my photographic adventures in Rio de Janeiro. One of my friends invited me to visit Floresta da Tijuca, an urban forest surrounding parts of Rio de Janeiro. The light that day was amazing and I soon found myself studying the effects it created breaking through the taller trees.

Change of season

Back in London and finding the city utterly changed over the last two weeks, I went out this morning to visit 'my spot' to take note of the change. It's been two weeks since I stood at this spot in the park. There is such power and energy in Spring and I'm amazed about the sudden explosion of foliage and flowers everywhere.

Little Souvenirs

Visiting the "other" Rio de Janeiro. Part of my walks in Rio de Janeiro is a regular visit to my friend from the Projeto IBISS who work in the remote areas of the Northern part of Rio de Janeiro.

In this community IBISS are building a football pitch to give the community a space where the community can come together to play, relax and have their very own little championships.

Little Souvenirs

Rio de Janeiro is a rather seductive city and it is tempting to stay with the clichés of beautiful beaches and tropical colours.  But within most neighbourhoods the visual is defined by tall buildings standing next to each other.

Little Souvenirs

The tropical forest. I love forests and am fascinated by forests. And I find it quite a challenge to take a photo of a rainforest that reflects my admiration for nature. So I go out again and again and try to create a photo that shows the magic and soul of a forest. This is another of my attempts to create an image that shows that a forest is much more than the many plants within.

Little Souvenirs

Ipanema beach at the end of day. I love this time of the day when the last bits of sunlight creep across the mountain and illuminate the haze washed in from the sea. I love walking along the beach at this time of the day and to be part of the last activities before night falls.

Little Souvenirs

Rio de Janeiro is my secret second home. I've lived in the city and come back whenever I can. Here I have my little corners I like to visit and one of my perennials is walking along Aterro and taking photos of the Pão de Açucar or Sugarloaf Mountain. While here I thought I share my "little souvenirs", a random selection of photos of moments that for me symbolize being just here.

Venice

 

 

 

 

More of the Gran Canal glittering in the evening sun. I'm quite fascinated by this effect. In this photo selection old meets new and we are back to the present day reality of Venice. Gondola as a pass-time getting in the way of modern traffick.

I felt both pictures while capturing a similar moment are quite different in their atmosphere and I could not quite make up my mind which one to chose. So I thought I share both. What do you think? Any preferences?

Venice

Spending three days in Venice gave me the opportunity to explore a city with streets made of water. As the sun was setting, I could not resist catching the gondola against the light mesmerized by the sparkle of the water creating a timeless silhouette.

Change of season

Back at the park noticing the change of season. This time round I noticed some shy evidence of Spring bringing in new colours and clothing. The leaves are now sitting at the tips of the branches waiting for that moment of warmth that says 'Winter is over'.

Urban colours

Time for some colours! It's been grey and cold and I needed some colour in my life and on my blog. Street art photography is quite a big thing now and there are many sites such as flickr where the photographers share their latest findings. And, having enjoyed this little hunt myself for some years, today I feel drawn to settings where art and city meet and the art is touched by the city.

Black and white

Back in the streets of London, I've taken my little project onto the platform and into the train. To me this environment had a similar feel to the pedestrianised areas and tunnels - anonymous, timeless and lonely. On our own, on our way, without looking much around or connecting to the world around us.

Our world

Our world. It does not stop to amaze me. Fascinated by the interplay of mountains and clouds, blue and white I felt this one goes with the theme but stands apart. A great lover of nature, I feel amazed of how peaceful and extraordinary our world looks from above. And with every photo, I'm again amazed about nature's beauty.

From above

 

Continuing to explore the perspective of looking down and trying to catch the intricate differences in texture and detail. This is a perspective of landscape photography I've grown most fascinated with and would love to explore further. Guess I need to make friends with a pilot who'd allow me to come along ...

From above

  

Back at one of my favourite perspectives. I'm fascinated with the perspective from above and amazed how much detail I can capture. Trying to remember the many photographers who've inspired me to continue looking down, the most recent inspirations that come to mind are works of Andreas Gursky and Edward Burkynsky. 

 

Black and white

Back on the streets in London and pursuing my little street photography project. There is a certain scenery I feel drawn to. In this underpass I was fascinated by relationship between the people and the space.

Change of season?

Back in the park at 'my' spot, I wanted to mark another moment as time moves on or doesn't it? This has been a very long winter and if nothing else, this photo shows how the season seems frozen in time.

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.