Posts Tagged London
Starling Bench
Starling Bench, originally uploaded by marcofiori
Starling’s have such mechanical movements that it can be frustrating shooting them with my Sony H50. The focus is just too slow and until I progress to a faster Nikon SLR, I guess I’m stuck with such a problem. Still, out of around 70 shots in the space of 3 minutes, this one managed to come out well. It’s a shame about the shadow placement, I had no choice though.
Meditation
Meditation, originally uploaded by marcofiori
Last Wednesday I came across this woman. There are often people sitting, watching the Thames near the Millennium Bridge, but she was in a meditative pose, listening to music. I managed to snap her before walking off. Very peaceful methinks!
Fat Starling
Fat Starling, originally uploaded by marcofiori.
Here’s another shot from my escapades around St Pauls on Wednesday photographing starlings. I love the colour on this and the shape of the bird. I think it’s a really interesting shot.
Smoking Starling
Smoking Starling, originally uploaded by marcofiori
It’s funny how the best photographs are complete accidents. I was shooting some Starlings near St Pauls (more photos to come) and this little guy was perched on a bench. I didn’t realise the background until I got home. Chuffed with this.
Sunbathing Pigeon
Sunbathing Pigeon, originally uploaded by marcofiori.
I love pigeons. Sure, they’re disease ridden, but I think they’re great photography subjects. Their movement always amuses me and they look at peace when catching some sun. I couldn’t resist this shot today on lunch; I love the deep-red eye.
Ship in a Bottle
Ship in a Bottle, originally uploaded by marcofiori.
The scale of this is actually huge. It’s just a trick of the photograph that makes it look small. It’s currently on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. I particularly like the effect the glass has on the image.
Reasons to Hate the Tube #5: Tourists
I don’t know these people
Tourists. It’s hard to criticise them too much. London can be a pretty daunting place and we’ve all been in a large foreign city. When you’re out of your comfort zone, everyone always seems to know exactly where they’re going. There’s no-one willing to stop and help. How can
The first giveaway is the smile. Simple as that. Tourists haven’t experienced the daily signal failures, the packed carriages, the musk that wafts through the tunnels during Summer. Put simply, their souls haven’t been eroded away by the mundane. The second sign is when they press the ‘Open Door’ button. It’s an easy mistake to make the first time you use the tube. After all, why have it if it’s not meant to be used?
The only logical explanation is TFL’s doing us a favour. It’s a sly heads up, warning commuters to use the other door. If you end up following the ‘pressers’ through the door, you’re only going to get stuck behind them. They’ll immediately stop, blocking the way as they scan in which direction to head. No-one can get off the tube and nobody can get on. It’s made even more irritating when they’re totally oblivious to the other passengers (this might help explain the torment suffered).
Other criminal actions include the mass-studying of Underground map. Choosing your route as a horde will bemuse even the most patient. Is it really that complicated? Does the whole group need to argue if the Circle Line’s the way to go (insider tip: it never is). It’s a one person task. You don’t have multiple people shouting directions in a minivan as you drive, so why overload the narrow tunnels with your aimless chatter.
Then there’s the bags. If you wish to pack every worldly possession into a backpack, please travel after 10am. Your over zealous bag prevents at least four commuters reaching their jobs.
Let’s take the following anecdote. There are over 190 steps in Covent Garden Tube station, (the most well known of all tourist traps). There’s also an equal amount of signs pre-warning people that it’s a pretty tough climb. Yet, despite the warning, tourists think it wise to take the arduous trip. Anyone who regularly uses the stairs can usually ascend quicker than the lifts. However every time you rush up the stairs, you find yourself stuck behind a morbidly obese gentleman who looks like he’s climbing Everest. He’ll say, often in a gruff American accent, ” D’ya know Edith, I didn’t realise there was so many steps!” No? Well I did and your sluggish progress is preventing me from escaping your company. Pay attention next time.
So never one to complain without offering wisdom, here’s five helpful tips for tourists to make life easier for everyone:
- That’s my face, not a baggage rack.
- It’s the Northern Line, not the black line.
- We don’t want to hear you, in your nasal tone, discuss like, totally, everything.
- You see that map, the one placed by TFL in a thoroughfare, it’s not actually for use.
- Get. Out. Of. My. Way.
Disclaimer: According to Steve Hogarty, my last reason to hate the Tube (make-up) was evidence that I’m a misogynist. To prevent equal sarcastic comment, I love Americans. I’m travelling to the US in September because I like them so much (second year in a row). One day, I hope to emigrate there.
Max
Max, originally uploaded by marcofiori
I talked about Max earlier this week and what a pleasure it was to meet him. I’ve since been in contact via email and he says he’s extremely pleased with the photos – which is great to here. He’s a very dignified man and I hope he continues doing what he loves. I like the tonal range in this photo and in particular, how the violin looks.
Meet Max The Violinist
Closeup of Max, originally uploaded by marcofiori.
You never know what someone is going to be like until you talk to them. This gentle man was sitting near The National Gallery, in a wheelchair, and I took a few pictures of him when he was on his tea-break.
We got talking and he played some songs for us. This shot I’m extremely proud of. He’s caught up in the moment and has so much character in his face. I love how he’s looking right into the camera
I sent him this photo. I hope Max likes it.
Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes & Discoveries
Never one to shy away from culture, I dragged Steve Hogarty along to the National Gallery yesterday. It’d been a while since I’d visited and Steve, despite living in London for a number of years, had never been. We wandered the halls for an hour before dropping into the Sainsbury Wing where a temporary exhibition titled, “Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes & Discoveries,” is housed.
Made up of six rooms, each with a different theme, the showcase explores the ways in which technology is helping to unmask the mystery behind many works of art. Technological advancement has yielded new truths about pieces five hundred years old. They range from drastic alterations, restorations and to full blown, fraudulent copies.
Each painting is explained as to how the truth’s been discovered. Often it’s through pigment analysis which is subsequently cross-referenced with historical records. Other examples include the use of X-Rays to reveal the original painting, pre-edit beneath.
It’ll take you roughly 45 minutes. Even if you only have a passing interest in art, it’s fascinating to see how a bygone era is clashing with our modern age. It does pose the question that how many of the pieces in the main collection are true originals. It’d be great to see what the experts have discovered in ten years.
It’s open until the 12th September and it’s completely free (as is the Gallery). More information can be found at the official website and I highly recommend you pop along.