Seeing Faces

We humnas are wired to recognize and respond to facial features and this kicks in as soon as we are born. Of course we don't usually think about this, but it's one of the reasons we connect not only to other humans, but to animals, teddy-bears etc. –and can laugh so much at grumpy-looking cats. Taken further we "facialize" almost everything we see, subconsciously mostly but sometimes more creatively. Well.. at least I do! Unlike some, I have yet to see the face of Jesus or Justin Bieber in my toast, but I frequently come across things that resemble more generic faces and usually find them quite delightful. Like this post box in Germany which looks a little like a large, motionless toad. It seems to be very content, as if having a nap after a big meal; its eyes closed. When I look again I find it reminds me of a teacher I once had who wore the same unruffled expression. If you look around you right now I am sure you will be able to spot faces in things in your own surroundings, wherever you are -you only need to use your imagination; and that's not a bad thing to exercise! Location: Berlin, Germany

A Christmas Greeting

Back in the summer, while walking down a beach on the north coast of Corfu at sunset, I came across numerous messages that people had written in the sand earlier in the day –things like "Peace and Love", "I Love..." etc. There were also completed games of noughts-and-crosses, intricate but crumbling sand-castles and sculptures and inevitably a few rauchy drawings. Clearly people had been having lots of fun, but now the beach was deserted, which was a shame because it was at its most beautiful, with the sun dipping down towards the lazy waves and warm, golden colours filling the sky, stretching across the sea and sand. It was very beautiful. I decided to write my own message in the sand, with a pebble, and bizarrely could only come up with "Happy Christmas". After taking the picture and wandering off I was amused by the thought of other people coming across it and wondering whether they had stepped into a time-eddy, but of course the message would have been washed over by the next morning. The sentiment is true though, and at this time I'd like to wish any and all of you reading this a very happy and peaceful Christmas, be your surroundings beach, snow, forest or town. Location: Corfu, Greece

Winter Solstice

In Norway they say the sun "turns" today, which is a rather charming way of putting it though it is of course inaccurate astronomically; it's the angle of elevation of the Earth that changes relative to the sun. But it is nonetheless a significant "turn" for our calender –now the days will slowly, slowly start to get longer and lighter again, and in the midst of this very dark winter that is cause for celebration. I think it is so easy to take the sun for granted, but let's face it: without it we would not be here. One thought that often strikes me when I gaze on sunrises or sunsets (such as this one) is that this same sun has been present in everyone's lives –everyone in history. Whereas the world and our lives may change, the sun has always been a constant, and its beams or rays have shone down on everyone who has ever lived, been the illuminator of every day, -and every drama, battle, picnic, sea voyage, wedding, summer holiday or funeral. Along with the distant stars it really is the only thing we can say is common to us all –man, beast, bird, plant, world. I look forward to hotter days, pale morning-sunshine bursting into glorious splendour, and to all the joys of spring and summer that as of this evening now are a little closer once again. I think perhaps this picture captures some of that sentiment –the golden orb of a December sun setting and almost snuggling between the two small towers of a Norfolk church. Happy Winter Solstice everyone! Location: Great Yarmouth, England

Into the Apollo

Like many other people, I was very upset yesterday to hear of the accident at London's Apollo Theatre when parts of the roof fell down onto the audience during a performance. It is something one simply does not expect to happen. Miraculously no one was killed. I know this theatre well, having seen many plays there over the years, and just a couple of weeks when walking past the rear of the theatre, I spotted an open door in the back wall, beyond which I caught a magical glimpse of a lighted chandelier –presumably a lighting fixture above the stage or possibly in the auditorium. Such things are not meant to be seen from outside –the interior of a theatre is a private world of magic, so peeping inside felt a little bit like half-opening a present before Christmas. I was struck by the contrast of the majesty of the chandelier and the bland normality of the brickwork of the theatre. Whereas the front-of-house and auditoriums of many London theatres are gilded temples, everything backstage and back-theatre is startlingly basic. But the lavishness of many of these old theatres, like so much of the stucco and moulding that came crashing down last night, is an illusion. They may seem solid and ever-lasting, but clearly they are not. Location: London, England

Tugboats in Maine

I've been away travelling (and photographing) for the last couple of week, so I apologize for not having posted in a while. I have decided to spend part of the Christmas holidays sorting and organizing the many pictures I have taken over the course of the last few years –which is a very wintery thing to do, perfect for dark, dull or cold days when it is cozier to be indoors. Pictures are as much about memories as anything else, and it is delightfully relaxing and nostalgic to recall former journeys, holidays or events. We tend however to remember initially only the good things. I loved this trio of tugboats that I saw in Portland and the blue sky would seem to suggest a warm summer's day; but then I suddenly remembered that it was actually October, and how utterly cold I was that day; how the wind howled and drove straight through me (I was on a boat at the time. Brrrrr- I feel it now! Location: Portland, Maine, USA

Thinking About the Mountains

Autumn has whizzed by and suddenly it's nealy Christmas. But I still haven't finished digesting the magnificent time I had in the mountains in late summer. It is as if it was only yesterday. But powerfully moving moments or periods or images tend to stay with us with far greater freshness than the hum-drum activities of daily life, and I only need to close my eyes to be back up in the mountains. Now the countryside below is sprinkled with snow, the lake is freezing over and insects, cattle and visitors are gone. But I yearn to be there now too –any time of the year is magical and special, but perhaps most of all when it is quiet -totally quiet, except for the wind... Well, until I return there are at least photographs to enjoy. I think this one captures something of the wild charm of the countryside, with the quiet farmsteads and far off peaks of the Jotunheimen range, home of the Norse Gods. The clouds here are very moody, giving the otherwise peaceful picture a sense of drama, whilst the rough road beckons you forward. Miss it lots! Location: Valdres, Norway