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| like a bowl of icing sugar |
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Saturday, 8 January 2011
A walk in the wintry woods
December 2010, the coldest in the UK since the MET office started collating the weather in 1910 (I think), the average temperature was -1c across the country, and although it caused havoc for the trains, plains and automobiles, it did provide a stunning cover to my local area.
Gobians is the woodland and open space adjacent to my home village (well adopted home village in Hertfordshire rather than my true home village in the midst of Northumberland), it's a place I love to walk round with open views, woodland walks and lakes. It looks great in the spring, summer and autumn, but in the winter it turns into Narnia.
The snow fall we had just before Christmas give Brookmans Park and Gobians it's thickest covering since I've been here, and for many a year more than that. But with the right footware and camera in hand I ventured out.
Starting at the bottom of the village I wandered through the woods which had taken on a magical appearance.
From the woods up towards the lakes., meeting many of the people and dogs that frequent the open space.
Including those on their sledges heading home after a morning on the hill.
The lakes were completely frozen, a pretty regular occurrence back in the North East, but not quite so 15 miles from the centre of London. Reminded me of the stories of the Thames freezing in the old days and the people ice-skating between the bridges.
As I walked round the lake the sun started to shine, and created this wonderful effect of almost molten gold on the ice.
It was nice to see that even with all the snow, many had taken leave on their walks to sit and admire the views.
So that was my last walk through the woods with the snow. It never lasts long down here, mostly causes chaos when it comes, but to me it really makes for a great opportunity to get out with the camera.
Gobians is the woodland and open space adjacent to my home village (well adopted home village in Hertfordshire rather than my true home village in the midst of Northumberland), it's a place I love to walk round with open views, woodland walks and lakes. It looks great in the spring, summer and autumn, but in the winter it turns into Narnia.
 |
| Narnia |
 |
| Narnia 2 |
 |
| This way |
From the woods up towards the lakes., meeting many of the people and dogs that frequent the open space.
 |
| woof! |
Including those on their sledges heading home after a morning on the hill.
 |
| Sledging the way home |
The lakes were completely frozen, a pretty regular occurrence back in the North East, but not quite so 15 miles from the centre of London. Reminded me of the stories of the Thames freezing in the old days and the people ice-skating between the bridges.
 |
| Freeze |
 |
| Fallen Tree |
As I walked round the lake the sun started to shine, and created this wonderful effect of almost molten gold on the ice.
 |
| Molten Gold |
 |
| Shimmer |
 |
| Glow |
The path round the lake gives lots of opportunity to take some pictures with the Sun high in the winter sky, and also a chance to meet some more of the local wildlife.  |
| Little Robin Red Breast |
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| Take the weight off |
So that was my last walk through the woods with the snow. It never lasts long down here, mostly causes chaos when it comes, but to me it really makes for a great opportunity to get out with the camera.
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| No Day Tickets |
Monday, 13 December 2010
The Boardwalk
Early in the Autumn I happened to be in NY, the weather was seasonal, the summer over, the sky greying and the temperature dropping.
On the Sunday morning we decided to head for Coney Island, expecting it to be cold we headed off for the train, and by the time we got there, the sun was out, the sky blue, the temperature rising, and Coney Island had one last day of summer in her.
The place is full of characters and sights that left me wondering if I had left the country or had been transported back in time.
The boardwalk was closed when we arrived, a clear sign that no one was expecting the sun to come out that day, but before we had left the vendors had begun to open up their shops, and the beachside walkway was transformed in to a blaze of colour provided by the inflatables, balloons, hats and t-shirts.
See the full set here
On the Sunday morning we decided to head for Coney Island, expecting it to be cold we headed off for the train, and by the time we got there, the sun was out, the sky blue, the temperature rising, and Coney Island had one last day of summer in her.
The place is full of characters and sights that left me wondering if I had left the country or had been transported back in time.
The Jersey Boys topped up their tans at the table in ChaCha's, they new everyone who walked past, and not only that but, in my mind they had known everyone worth knowing in New Yorks chequered past.
The guy below then wandered up in his Sunday best, looking like he might break into song and dance at the drop of his very smart hat.
The boardwalk was closed when we arrived, a clear sign that no one was expecting the sun to come out that day, but before we had left the vendors had begun to open up their shops, and the beachside walkway was transformed in to a blaze of colour provided by the inflatables, balloons, hats and t-shirts.
My favourite shot of the day, the guy below on his bike.
See the full set here
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
No "Humankind"
So firstly congratulations to those successful winners of the New York Photo Festivals humankind competition here, however, I wasn't one of them.
The subject matter was huge, "All things Human!", the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the shocking, the norm, pretty much anything, if it had a person in it.
I had hoped that my entries would have shown a range, perhaps not, but now we wait to take a look at those that were selected, and perhaps, even learn more from not being picked this time. Still, I can share with you all now my entries, I'd love to know what you think:
The subject matter was huge, "All things Human!", the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the shocking, the norm, pretty much anything, if it had a person in it.
I had hoped that my entries would have shown a range, perhaps not, but now we wait to take a look at those that were selected, and perhaps, even learn more from not being picked this time. Still, I can share with you all now my entries, I'd love to know what you think:
Monday, 22 November 2010
ParisPhoto
Last week I attended what appeared to be the largest Photography specific art fair in Europe. So much to see and take in. Galleries from all over the world, Paris (obviously), London, New York, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Japan, all showing the work of local well know and lesser known artists, as well as some fantastic old pictures, including some fine examples of HCB's work, such a pleasure to see them for real.
So what was I there for? not exhibiting this year (although it is most likely to make it onto the BadJupiter.com potential places to exhibit calendar for 2011), but this year was mainly for checking out formats, productions, sizes, framing styles, pricing and to learn more about editions. The world of photographic fine art is a difficult one to traverse with many differing views on the number of works to have in an edition, 3? 8? 25? or 100!
My one real disappointment was that having only arrived in Paris late on Thursday, and because the show was so large, I really didn't have much chance to take any pictures, still it gives me another excuse to go back!
So what was I there for? not exhibiting this year (although it is most likely to make it onto the BadJupiter.com potential places to exhibit calendar for 2011), but this year was mainly for checking out formats, productions, sizes, framing styles, pricing and to learn more about editions. The world of photographic fine art is a difficult one to traverse with many differing views on the number of works to have in an edition, 3? 8? 25? or 100!
My one real disappointment was that having only arrived in Paris late on Thursday, and because the show was so large, I really didn't have much chance to take any pictures, still it gives me another excuse to go back!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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