Iconic Railway Clock

Tonight the clocks go forward, marking the start of summer time, so I'm posting another picture of a Joyce railway clock -and this one is particularly iconic because it featured in my favourite film of all time: "Brief Encounter"– which was filmed largely on this railway station in the northwest of England. The clock, originally from 1895, was lovingly restored and reassembled piece by piece in 2002 after bits of its original features had been removed and dispersed accross England over the years In 2020 the clock was temporarily removed for further restoration prior to the 75th anniversary of the release of "Brief Encounter". I took this picture a few years ago when I had the chance to visit the station and its excellent exhibition devoted to the film, and also enjoy the hospitality of the equally iconic refreshment room seen straight ahead... "Cake or pastry?" anyone?

Location: Carnforth, England

Wiener Riesenrad

One of Vienna's many attractions is the iconic giant ferris wheel in the Prater Park. I first became acquainted with it through the film The Third Man, in which it plays a notable part – so, eager to follow in the footsteps of Orson Welles, I took a spin, though it was a very slow spin, giving ample time to photograph the increasingly magnificent views of Vienna. I was there just as it was getting dark, which seemed an ideal time. In some of the other "cabins" couples were enjoying a romantic, candlelit meal – one of these can just be seen in the picture. It was a giddy and gently thrilling experience, but somehow quite stately too, like sailing on an old liner. The Riesenrad has been there for so long –and been lovingly cherished and cared for – that it is a "must" on any visit to Vienna. Here we are at the start of the ascent, while it is still fairly light. Location: Vienna, Austria

In steps of Vertigo

With this picture I'm adding a new label –movie locations. Ever since I first saw Vertigo I have been fascinated with San Francisco, and when I finally had the chance to visit that beautiful city one of the things I was determined to do was to seek out the locations featured in the film. Though it had been made in the late 1950s most of the places were almost unnervingly the same 50 years later –which of course increased my fascination and made the film come even more alive. Here, at the edge of Fort Point just below the Golden Gate, Kim Novak's character threw herself into the bay, only to be rescued by James Stewart. When I saw the film originally I assumed that the bridge view was a vast painted backdrop –it somehow seemed too surreal in colour and perspective. But it wasn't, it was perfectly real. Yet I felt the same sense of surreality when I took this picture –making it as close as I could to the original shot. The only difference from 1958 was that a fence had been erected at the edge of the fort. I can take no credit for composing the shot –that was after all done by Hitchcock and his cinematographer, but I was nonetheless thrilled with the result. Even without Kim Novak. Location: San Francisco, USA

Le Chateau Frontenac

I just watched (again) Alfred Hitchcock's moody film "I Confess" from 1953, and realised just how much it had inspired my photography in Quebec earlier this year. The Chateau Fronteac features heavily in the film, and still looks exactly as it did in the film. Of course my photographs of it had to be in black and white too, and taken from obscure angles -my own homage to cinematographer Robert Burks.

Location: Quebec, Canada

Smoke

Smoke billowing from one of the chimneys of Le Château Frontenac. I liked the play of light and contrasts and it seemed to work particularly well in black and white. And if you've ever seen Hitchcock's film I Confess you'll perhaps recognise the nod to the master's work at this location!

Location: Quebec, Canada