Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.

London Times is a short series of photographic blogs that record a recent visit to London. See more links at the end of the blog.

My appointment was at the Sandbox workspace, which was conveniently located near to the Millennium bridge.  This London landmark is a photographic challenge.  How do you take different pictures on this iconic bridge.  The answer is that it is very easy to do so as people are passing over the bridge all the time creating their own photographic moments.  I scouted around the underneath of the bridge and took a few pictures of tourists moving around above.  

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Approaching the Bridge.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Tourists from above.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Underneath the bridge.

Then I went to the south part where the two pedestrian walkways split and provide a pleasing symmetrical photograph.  As I expected there were too many photographers in this area although taking photographs of photographers is a fun pastime.  

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Those photographers LOL.

On the bridge I took a few pictures and then I moved back to the picture sweet spot to try and take some more pictures.  Again more photographers!  It was time to cross the main part of the bridge and I took a cool panoramic view of the Thames towards Tower Bridge.  Then I started to focus on St Paul’s Cathedral which was framed by the northern part of the millennium bridge.  London always has something to photograph and you are never lost for subjects.  Both the people and the buildings are super subjects and I hope you agree when you see my photographs.

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
The bridge is a popular crossing point.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
A panorama from the middle of the bridge.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Framing St Paul’s Cathedral.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Flowers are still around St Paul’s cathedral.

Here are more pictures from my “London Times” series.

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023

Queen Mary University of London is on the Mile End Road and is adjacent to the Regent’s canal.  Part of the campus borders the canal and there is easy access from the University entrance.  I was at QMUL for a conference but took the opportunity when time allowed to explore the tow path.  My first walk was in the early morning and I followed the canal down to Limehouse basin and onto the River Thames.  My second walk was northwards up to Victoria park and took place in the late afternoon.  Both walks allowed me to photograph people, boats, wildlife and buildings along the way.  This is my photographic account from those walks.

From QMUL to the river.

I was up early for this walk and was moving on the towpath by 6am.  There were still many people out and about at this time.  The day before had been hot and whilst there was a morning coolness temperatures were forecast to rise above 30oC.  There was a slight mist around the canal which diffused the light.  Several species of birds were moving around in the water.  The canal was heavy with algae and the ducks made tracks in the green covering.  There is a mixture of old industrial decay alongside both modern designs of buildings.  I took several pictures of the juxta positioning of the buildings and where the canal was algae free caught their reflections in the still water.  

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
A chimney is part of the old industrial heritage along the canal.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Colourful old narrowboat
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Millionaire row
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
The algae adds a green foreground whilst the shine buildings of Canary Wharf are lit up by the early sun.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Wildlife coping with the canal.

On the streets there were abandoned hire bikes.  Colours were appearing as the early sunlight started to reach the taller buildings.  I soon reached Limehouse basin and this coincided with the sunrise.  The area has lots to see and quick decisions were made as to the best place to stand for the photographs.  I used my phone to take a few quick pictures that let me quickly see and plan the pictures with my Fujifilm x100v.  One of my first pictures worked well and set the standard that I needed  for future views.  

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Abandoned bike.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Limehouse Basin
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
The sun rises over the basin.

After spending time photographing the sunrise , I made my way along the final part of the canal to the Thames.  This area is very popular with local commuters due to its proximity to Canary Wharf.  The quality of housing is of a higher standard than where I started in the Mile End Road.  The journey does take you through a range of housing.  The Thames looked good in the early morning light and I took several pictures around Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Kitchen restaurant. I followed the commuters as they walked along the road and then onto the pedestrian walkway next to the Thames.  This was a chance to practice some street photography as sharp contrasts between light and dark were created by the sunlight rising between the buildings.  

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
The Thames in the early morning sun.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Looking out towards the Thames
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Sunlight.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Running the Thames walkway.

After a while, I realised that I had a conference to attend and I made my way back to QMUL following the Limehouse Cut. This took me past the Sea Mission and I eventually caught up with the Regent’s canal again.  The light had shifted and therefore there were different takes on pictures that I had taken on the way down.  One picture that I enjoyed taking was of two swans who were tucked into a recess of the canal wall.  The picture with the reflections in the background shows the beauty of this canal.

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
On the cut and through the railings.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
The rush over the cut.
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
The majestic “Mission” building
Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Swans on the canal.

My final picture is of black and white architecture. I saw this block of flats as the canal turned after a railway bridge. The reflections immediately caught my eye. I converted the picture to black and white and I was pleased with the result. I entered into the weekly #fsprintmondays competition organised by FotoSpeed on Twitter and the picture made the top 4 for that week.

Regent's Canal, QMUL to the Thames, London, Sept 2023
Black and white architecture on the canal (with reflections)

If you enjoyed this blog then there is an earlier account of my photographic journey from Kings Cross to Camden along the Regent’s Canal. This waterway has such a varied landscape which makes it ideal to satisfy my love for photography.

Walking around Oxford

An opportunity to spend time photographing Oxford arose just before Christmas. My good virtual friend, Doddsie (Neil Dodd) was visiting from Switzerland as he was attending a course at Oxford. Neil and I take part in the well regarded Internet production, ‘the Photo Show’, which can be found at the BritishTechNetwork.com. Whilst I have met the other two presenters Martin Kelly and Ian Lewis several times before, I had only chatted to Neil virtually. As Neil was based in Oxford, we arranged to undertake a photowalk around the city. We started our journey on the river Thames. There is access to the river near to the hotel where Neil was staying. Officially our start point was University College Boat House, an imposing structure overlooking the river. We walked past many canal boats which were sealed up for winter. Some had even sunk into the river and were in in need of refloating. We walked along the river. There is Grandpoint House which has a commanding view of the river and merits a picture.

Walking around Oxford
Sitting out winter on the Thames
Walking around Oxford
College Boat houses on the East Bank of the Thames
Walking around Oxford
The impressive Grandpoint House

We came up from the river at Folley Bridge and then onto Christ Church College. The College over looks a meadow and the treelined popular walk. We circled Merton’s field walking along Deadman’s walk and Merton Grove. We took in Merton Church and went into Magpie Lane, over the High Street and then Catte Street. This led us to the Radcliffe Camera considering by many as one of the most beautiful buildings in Oxford. Here we were fortunate to see the filming by Warner Brothers for the upcoming film Willy Wonka. When we saw them they were filming scenes in the Radcliffe Camera. In order to give sunlight into the rooms, there were large cranes which were directing bright lights through the window.

Walking around Oxford
View from Folley Bridge
Walking around Oxford
Christ Church College viewed from Popular walk
Walking around Oxford
Bike in Magpie Lane
Walking around Oxford
Artificial sunlight for the Radcliffe Camera during the filming of Willy Wonka
Walking around Oxford
The interior courtyard of the Bodleian library

The courtyard at the Bodleian library is a wonderful structure and as you see I did some unorthodox picture taking of the skyline (Picture curtesy of Neil Dodd). Next stop the Bridge of Sighs followed by a quick visit to the Turf Tavern along St Helen’s passage. We retraced our steps back through the main shopping centre of Oxford. There is a veranda here where you can get a view of all the Oxford Spires. Next stop the Oxford prison and some photos of the green roof of Nuffield College. On the way back we made for the river and we were rewarded by a rowing boat from the city barge club moving along in Venetian style. Both pupil and instructor were standing and moving along briskly. The instructor even had time to chat to us as she coached her pupil on how to negotiate the river. They made good photographic subjects. We then retraced our footsteps along the river back to the hotel where Doddsie was staying. We spent some time taking pictures along the river and then it was time to say goodbye to Neil. A great day out photographing Oxford and I have shared the photographs so you can enjoy the place taken in winter.

Walking around Oxford
Oxford spires
Walking around Oxford
Castle Mound with the spire of Nuffield College
Walking around Oxford
Boating on the river
Walking around Oxford
Submerged
Walking in Oxford
Street photography in Broad Street Christmas market

If you enjoyed these photographs then be sure to follow my fellow colleagues at the BTN Photoshow
Ian Lewis
Neil Dodd
Martin Kelly our wonder chair and the person who puts the show together is on email. Drop him a line if you are interested about the BTN show.