For the launch of HTC's new One (M8) smartphone, the empty old Selfridges Hotel was converted into a skate park for one weekend only... With lots of publicity and high security it was a skate park with a difference!
The bridge being crossed is one of the Hungerford foot bridges (AKA Golden Jubilee Bridges) upon which I met a friendly chap trying to busk his way to his girlfriend (not the girl pictured, apparently). Photos of the music performance taken in the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, and I was enjoying photographing a cycle theme as I walked eastbound. I then cycled myself across to Covent Garden to capture a little of the Friday night atmosphere. Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Fujinon 35mm lens.
0 Comments
Photos taken while pottering around the West End of London; a little street photography with the beautiful 35mm Fujinon lens.
Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Fujinon 35mm lens. A gorgeous Spring day at Kew Gardens, London's royal botanical gardens, and what better place to test out a new macro lens - the Fujinon 60mm f2.4 macro. I found it to be stunning - the reviews of proclaiming edge-to-edge sharpness even wide open as well as tack sharp in the centre proved to be true - a pleasure of a lens to use. With the exception of when photographing insects, the slightly slow AF can be forgiven in light of the near-perfect optical performance.
Having a quick browse through the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition displays provided some inspiration to Neha and myself for the rest of the day! I'm hoping to return to Kew later this year in late Spring / early Summer to capture the changing flora and scenery. Technical details: Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Fujinon 60mm macro lens. A continuation of yesterday's walk took me up Regent's Canal from the park and up to the Camden Lock. Even early on a Friday afternoon the market was buzzing with tourists and workers ready to wind down for the weekend. The last three photos are taken in and around Covent Garden.
Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Tamron 35-80mm MF lens. More spring beauty in the capital. The view atop the Primrose Hill, despite the slight haze, offered wonderful views over London - with many of the prominent sites clearly in sight. It is one of the most expensive residential areas in London, and this article from the FT explains:
"If you want to understand the appeal of London’s Primrose Hill, an expensive enclave just north of Regent’s Park, simply take a stroll through the area. Among the matrix of pretty streets and squares, you will see desirable, four-storey Victorian terraced houses neatly painted in pastel colours; G-Wiz electric microcars parked next to Porsche Cayennes; lampposts carrying makeshift signs for local book clubs and spinning classes; and, in Regent’s Park Road, about 30 small shops, half of them cafés or restaurants, with not a chain store in sight. Primrose Hill’s unique selling point is that it is a small settlement near the centre of a world city. It may be just five minutes’ walk from gritty Camden Town or a 10-minute drive from Selfridges but “village” is the word you hear from local residents and estate agents alike." Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Tamron 35-80mm MF lens. Another beautiful Friday afternoon lead me to Greenwich is internationally recognised as the home of time. This is where to find the Prime Meridian of the World - every place on Earth is measured from here. Not only that, but its where the hemispheres meet and home to a World Heritage Site and London's oldest Royal Park (Visit Greenwich).
My wonder started at Cutty Sark - built in the late 19th century, it is the only surviving tea clipper; the fastest and greatest of her time. "The National Maritime Museum is the world's largest maritime museum, revealing inspirational stories and breathtaking accounts of discovery and adventure connecting Britain's maritime past with our lives today" (ibid). But perhaps the greatest gems of all was the Old Royal Navy College - a riverside designed by Sit Christopher Wren (perhaps one of England's most highly acclaimed architects in history, also creating St Paul's Cathedral). I had to give in and switch the film simulation (colour) mode on the camera to capture the outstanding majesty of the Painted Hall as well as the exquisitely decorated Chapel. Hours later than planned, I headed towards the Royal Observatory through Greenwich Park, offering fine dusk views over the City of London. The clock pictured in the last photo is one of the earliest electrics clocks to ever be produced and was installed in 1852. Wikipedia states: "The network of master and slave clocks was constructed and installed by Charles Shepherd in 1852. The clock by the gate was probably the first to display Greenwich Mean Time to the public, and is unusual in using the 24-hour analogue dial." Technical details: Fuji X-M1 with Fujinon 16-50mm lens. |
Vote for your favourite 2013 photos here!
Archives
July 2014
Categories
All
|