London Canals

And where there is boats, there is repair. In a hidden corner between Thames and canals a place to repair houseboats and make new of old.

London Canals

This is a completely different take on the creative possibilities a walk along the canal opened for me, that of exploring the reflections in the water.

London Canals

Continuing in my little series about London canals, I find that the long boats add a romantic touch to most sides, blurring the lines between living on land in a house and on land and living on the water. Two worlds existing next to each other.

London Canals

One of the integral parts of the London canal world are the house boats which are anchored everywhere and which form part of the landscape.  

London Canals

For me one of the great charmers of London are the many canals which offer endless possibilities for walks, wonders and simply give the city a lot of charm. As a photographer they also give me the opportunity to explore the city from a different angle and to play with reflections.

London Patterns

Building on my mini-series, this is another look of London. And while I was drawn to the patterns the lines, colours and shapes make, I continue to wonder what this says about London. Would you know this is London, if I had not said so?

London Patterns

In sharp contrast to my previous photo, this pattern shows both traditional and new London coming together. What does it say about the city? Would we know this is London, if I had not said so?

London Patterns

Another aspect of London I like to explore photographically is that of patterns I find in buildings or combinations of buildings. What do they tell us about London? This is a very typical traditional street in London. A pattern all of us staying in London for longer will grow used to.

Romantic London

Following up from the previous photo, this is the same place after the sun had gone down. I was drawn to the reflections of the lights in the water, multiplying and changing the effect of the traditional looking lamps and giving the scene a sense of timelessness.

Romantic London

London, like Rio de Janeiro, is a city of many faces and one I don't get tired of photographing and studying from all angles. This one of my attempts to explore the romantic, timeless aspects of London.

Winter fog

Continuing my little tale about fog in London, the fog had turned the tube station into a winter wonder land with a narrative of surreality.

Winter fog

Continuing to build on my narrative about a foggy day in London. This was an amazing experience. The fog worked like a filter and since it was already late afternoon, the park took on a light shade of grey.

Winter fog

Continuing to work on my mini-series on fog in London, this photo was taken on a late afternoon in early winter when the park suddenly seemed to disappear in thick white air.

Winter fog

Going back to working on a series, I've decided to start the new year with a mini-series on a foggy day in London. In early winter I was on my way home when I noticed that the park had seemingly 'disappeared' behind a thick white cover.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone all the best for 2014!

Night photography

Tower bridge by night. What else can I say?

London Canals

London canals from a different perspective. I could not resist playing with the pattern and reflection of this old wall. To me the photo created a moment that seemed endless and lost in time. A moment that could exist anywhere. Contemplating the picture, what comes up for you?

London by night

London by night from the air. I thought this photo fitted well with the holiday season, imagining people visiting and celebrating all over town.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas! 

 Wishing you a peaceful and enriching holiday season.

Night photography

As the days grow gloomier and shorter, night photography seems like a very good option. With the lighting going on in the city, it gives me a brighter outlook on the dark season.

Change of Season

December. Back in the park to visit 'my' spot and mark the change of seasons with another photo taken of the by now familiar surroundings.

Urban contrasts

Another, less well known part of Rio de Janeiro is the Zona Norte, the neighbourhoods north of the city centre. This is the 'other' Rio de Janeiro, the Rio de Janeiro of the poor.

Urban contrasts

Home in Rio de Janeiro. More often than not, one window indicates the space of one apartment.

Urban contrasts

Sunset at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana, probably the most famous beach of Rio de Janeiro continues to be a very popular and, on a hot sunny day, Rio flocks to Copacabana to spend the day relaxing and playing and bathing until the final hours of the day.

Urban contrasts

Central do Brasil is a huge strain station in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Thousands come through the station every day in their journey in and out of the city. And many will use the trains to commute to and from the Zona Norte, the northern part of town, the second Rio de Janeiro, the Rio de Janeiro of the poor.

Urban contrasts

Aterro, a huge park just south of the city centre has become the resort for stray cats. Here they have found friends among the locals who will come and feed the hundreds of cats spread out everywhere.

Urban contrasts

And then there are the neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. High buildings filled with small apartments, these are the homes to where many will return after a day of work or a day at the beach. Many of those who can still afford to live in the areas near the beaches, the Zona Sul, live in tiny apartments in tall buildings.

Urban contrasts

  

And keeping to its fame of city on the beach, this is one of the majour attractions of Rio de Janeiro; Ipanema beach, just south of the city centre, with all the commodities of a big city just across the street. And it is a beach where ambulant vendors provide anything a person might need or want to have a relaxing time.

Urban contrasts

And than there is the city.  Rio de Janeiro city centre with its buildings and parks. An abundant mix of old and new and the King palms competing with modern heights. The city spreads out into the mountains, and, as time goes by and space becomes an increasingly scarce resource, the building start to reach into the sky. 

Urban contrasts

Introducing another site to Rio de Janeiro. Leaving the city and its parks behind, there is the sea with its many charms and timelessness.