London Photowalk with Trey Ratcliff

Posted on February 15, 2015 by myeye1

I’ve been a fan of Trey Ratcliff‘s work for a few years now, and for those of you not familiar with him, Trey is one of one the leading photographers in HDR photography and has a portfolio on his Stuck in Customs blog which contains some amazing images from around the world. His photographs are definitely an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many people out there.

When I heard that Trey was back in London and planning a photowalk (on Valentines Day) I was really excited and couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day. So, yesterday me and about a hundred other photographers converged outside the National Gallery to meet him and follow him around London, hoping to pick up tips from Trey and each other.

It was a typical British, February day, with grey clouds and low temperatures, with the ever present threat of rain, but everyone was in a great mood so it didn’t dampen any spirits.

The route was planned to take us from South Bank to Westminster and Parliament, around Whitehall then back across the Thames to the London Eye.
The theme and competition for the photowalk was to take an interesting picture of fellow photographers!

As we snaked around London (attracting quite a lot of attention and causing many people to stop and ask what was going on), Trey stopped at various points to show and explain his set ups, frames and what he was looking to convey with each image. One of the nicest things about the walk was just how friendly and warm Trey was, welcoming anyone to come and talk to him and ask him any questions.

Below are some of the photos I managed to take throughout the walk and although I doubt I’ll be winning any prizes, it was really great to meet Trey and I had a really fun experience. I can only hope to improve over time and capture great images like Trey one day.

Here are some fellow photographers

And these are some of my favourite photos from the walk, from late afternoon to early evening, giving us a change in how much natural light was available, and with the cloudy weather we had some amazing skies as a backdrop as the night drew in.

I look forward to seeing Trey’s post of the walk and of the fellow photographers, aka ‘Team Awesome’ (Trey’s name for the group not mine)

Big Ben

Posted on February 9, 2015 by myeye1

Big Ben is one of the landmarks of London that I haven’t really been able to see close up. I’ve seen it many times from across the River Thames or far off in the distance and I thought it was about time that I got up close to have a proper look.

The tower which holds the clock face is really beautiful, with gold and black engravings, and lots of intricate details carved into the sides. There’s Latin engravings, crowns and shields, all created with steady hands to create a stunning building which is part of the London’s historical landscape. It’s definitely a building that I can imagine visiting again and again.

Boats and ropes

Posted on January 13, 2015 by myeye1

In my travels around London recently I happened across St Katharine Docks. It seemed hidden away in the centre of London near Tower Bridge and the River Thames. This is one of the things I love about London, there’s so much history and interesting things to discover when you least expect it.
St Katherine Docks was built around the 18th century and although it has been around for almost 200 years it has been well kept with some modern embellishments

The colourful tiles just outside the entrance to the docks display facts of London and of the kings and queens of old. The inside of the entrance has larges panels of colourful tiles depicting different prints and scenes.

The boats that were tied to the docks were quite beautiful; with painted names and adornments added to the exterior, adding colour and personality.

I think what I liked the most though, were the details of the old, used ropes and chains, with lots of textures and colours, and with each one having their own story to tell

I enjoyed seeing something unexpected in the middle of London and I look forward to discovering more hidden gems

Floating leaf

Posted on December 29, 2014 by myeye1

I thought this was a nice photo opportunity; to capture a lone floating leaf in clear blue water which fills the fountains in Trafalger Square, London. I really like how the light dances on the surface of the water, creating a sense of movement with the worn tiles on the bottom adding texture and detail.

Buses and bears

Posted on November 28, 2014 by myeye1

During my visit to London recently I came across these interesting, small(ish) buses that have been painted in different styles by artists. These and many other painted buses can be found scattered across London to encourage walking around the city.

I really like the waterpainted bus with the hazy outlines of famous London landmarks in bright colours. The second one in the style of pop art I also quite like, depicting the Queen’s guards, in a simple but effective way.

I’d also heard about the ‘Paddington trail’ in London so on my travels I kept an eye out for bears too, and to my excitement I found one!

These statues of Paddington bear, like the buses have been scattered around London, each one painted by a celebrity in a different way. The idea behind this one seems to be to celebrate the new Paddington film just out but also raise money for charity when they will be sold early next year. In addition to the statues the London high street seems to be Paddington crazy at the minute with all things Peruvian bear being displayed in windows and posters.

In the past I have encountered painted bright giant eggs, colourful elephants and artsy phone boxes, all of which I am always pleased to find and to me they make a nice addition to the London streets, especially as its always for a good cause. I look forward to seeing what they decide to paint next.

Fish bowl

Posted on May 16, 2014 by myeye1

curve and sky
It’s not really a fish bowl but it makes you feel you’re in one, looking over the rim out at the blue sky. It’s quite apt really seeing as this is the London Aquarium

Greenhouse at dusk

Posted on April 21, 2014 by myeye1

green house
This greenhouse is called Temperate House and can be found at Kew Gardens. It is currently being restored and is closed off to the public but I like how it sits in this image with the pagoda almost a silhouette in the distance. The most arresting part of the image, for me though, is the cloud filled sky which was captured just as the sun was beginning to set, making it feel as if they could almost let off a light all of their own

Another eye, another angle

Image

I know I’ve posted photos of the London eye before but I find that whenever I visit I just can’t help taking pictures of it to try and get another angle or view ; it’s just so big and in front the River Thames and with the ever changing city sky it just feels so iconic of London.

Kew Gardens – Autumn visit 4

Posted on March 5, 2014 by myeye1

One of the things I was most excited about seeing at Kew Gardens was the Xstrata Treetop Walkway that was constructed a few years ago. The idea behind the walkway was to enable people to walk among the tree tops to get a closer look at the best part of the trees; the branches and leaves which aren’t usually easily accessible. Walking toward the structure it seems to appear suddenly from amongst the trees.

To access the walkway you have to climb up a winding staircase with mesh sides, allowing you to see the view as you ascend. For those that can’t quite manage the stairs there’s also a lift that will take you to the top. The walkway is 59 feet high from where you get a great view

I was able to get really close to some of the branches but as it was Autumn some of the closer trees had already shed their leaves. I expect the walkway is even more enjoyable in Summer when leaves are aplenty

Another one of the other things I spotted almost immediatley as I entered the Gardens was this tall structure in the distance. I could tell straight away that it looked like a giant Pagoda like those found in Japan and wondered what it was doing in London!

It turns out that the Pagoda was completed by Sir William Chambers in 1762 and that there is also a section dedicated to a Japanese landscape, with plants and flowers typically found in the country as well as a structure called the Chokushi-Mon meaning Gateway of the Imperial Messenger

I thought the Japanese landscape was really nice and something different. I especially liked how tidy and organised it was (and if you look carefully you can see there is a circular pattern created in the pebbles)

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Kew Gardens, I saw some amazing plants, trees and flowers, some that don’t originate from England and learnt a lot whilst walking around, soaking in the fresh air and peace and quiet. I think the gardens are something really special and the thing I like most is that you could visit at various times over a twelve month period and there would always be something new or different to see. I really hope I will be able to go back later this year when the plants and flowers are in bloom and nature has something else to share.

I hope you have enjoyed my photos and there is still so much I didn’t see or haven’t posted about so please don’t think that I have covered even a fraction of what else can be found at Kew. I would definitely recommend a visit if you like being outdoors and are interested in all things green.

For more on Kew gardens please see my previous posts

Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 1
Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 2
Kew Gardens – Autumn Visit 3

Leeds Castle

Posted on March 3, 2014 by myeye1

Leeds Castle was once lived in by King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon and is based in Kent. I really enjoyed my visit here a couple of years ago and what I really liked was that the castle actually looked like castle; it has an enormous, beautiful garden (including a maze and grotto) and is surrounded by a moat just like you’d imagine and like you see in the films. I wonder what it would feel like to live there…

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trying to capture the world…my way

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