Ladder to the Clouds

Here's an image I captured last weekend when during an open-day and demonstration by the fire services in Oslo. This impressive ladder climbed up to an impressive height above the central square of a little park in the city centre, cutting an unusual and captivating silhouette against a moody sky. The statue beneath is of Henrik Wergeland, a celebrated Norwegian writer and figure of the 19th century. He usually dominates this square, but today has to play second fiddle to the enormous ladder. Though it's not easy to see from this angle, someone had placed a fire helmet on his head for the day, the back of which looks a little like a red wig here. It's always difficult to take pictures of tall objects that do justice to their height and the impression they give in real life. Here the statue (itself oversized) gives some perspective to the ladder and makes the picture much more interesting than had it been of just the ladder by itself. The trees add to the sense of heightened diagonal cutting of the field of view in two is intentional. Sadly, I was not one of the lucky ones able to ascend and take pictures from the control basket at the top –which is just as well, as I am not too good with heights, and just standing down here made me dizzy!

Location: Oslo, Norway

Dom

Berlin is one of my favourite cities both to visit and to photograph. And, without quite knowing why, I have always felt the city looks best on pictures when the sky is bedecked with cloud. Perhaps it's an emotional reflection of the city's dramatic history, perhaps the relative flatness of the terrain is better served against a backdrop of ever-shifting cloud; perhaps it's to do with light. Probably it's a mixture of all three. Don't get me wrong, I love blue, clear skies (anywhere), but my photographic genes are always doubly excited or activated when I see turbulent cloud formations in the sky –and, especially in Berlin. Here, the sky is vivacious but not at all threatening –there had been drops of rain before and more were to follow, but these showers was light. Somewhere behind the clouds the sun was trying to poke through, but its bright light is gently subdued and disseminated –illuminating the facade of the Berlin Dom quite splendidly and vibrantly without harshness. The camera I was using had a bit of a lens issue which has caused the left side of the picture to be a little blurry, but I liked the rest of the picture so much that I've overlooked this deficiency. I wanted to capture the magnificence of the cathedral without it appearing too domineering or even oppressive (which can often be the result when photographing such buildings). Therefore I've taken the picture from a low angle but at some distance, capturing both the building itself but more importantly its setting in the city and against the lovely, moody Berlin sky. Location: Berlin, Germany

Evening in Miami

Like many people, I have been following with concern the trail of havoc caused by Hurricane Irma as it pushes through the Caribbean, and heads towards mainland USA. And having in the past spent many happy days in Florida, I'm thinking about places I have visited there, people I have met, and the dreadful helplessness of battling such a fearsome storm, knowing that it is on its way. I remember seeing the after-effects of that previous huge hurricane that bears my name, but I keep my fingers crossed that this storm may change direction, and that any damage anywhere be minimal. Yet as I write, Miami seems to be directly in its path, including even more exposed Miami Beach, and much of the city is being evacuated and boarded up. I've seen temperamental weather conditions there myself; sometimes they can even be exciting. But this is something else. Here, however, I'm posting a picture of the Miami I like to return to in my thoughts: of warm evenings at sunset, with mad but mellow colours spilling over the familiar beloved architecture of South Beach, palm trees standing languidly in repose, peace and yet a thrilling vibrancy. The air sweet and soft, with the day's heat lingering but without the harshness The evening is just starting, but this is the best time. And I hope I shall be able to experience many such moments here again. Location: Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Dublin Street

Whenever I used to imagine what Dublin was like, I conjured up in my mind a picture of narrow, cobble-stoned streets with quaint old lamp posts and bicycles –and always in black and white. Perhaps this image came to me from some painting I'd once seen, or (more probably) some book I'd read; maybe I'd been influenced by an old film. When I finally got to visit Dublin, I was delighted to find parts of it that corresponded totally with those pictures in my mind. Dublin is, of course, a lot more besides and a city of myriad views, but I was drawn to streets like this as a moth is drawn to a lamp. And talking of lamps, what is it about old lampposts that fill streets with dignity and character where modern ones merely seem to be a necessary eyesore! The only thing missing here is people –this was early on a quiet morning; the kind of quiet morning that is the inevitable tailpiece to a lively Dublin evening –is there any other kind?! Location: Dublin, Ireland