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

Tempelhof

I was thrilled to recently visit and tour the now-closed Tempelhof airport in Berlin –one of the world's most unique airports– and to wander through empty departure halls, baggage rooms, bunkers, corridors, tunnels and hangers; empty that is only of passengers and aircraft, because much of the interior has been frozen in time. The airport has a wild, colourful history and was never actually finished –mostly because of the war. Parts of it were just left as they were back then, other parts were abandoned in the seventies or after the cold war ended when the US military left and boasted interiors very much from these times, and much of the rest remains just as it was when it closed for civil air traffic a few years ago. I am so glad that it was not torn down or redeveloped –now the vast building is used for corporate events, art exhibitions, product launches and kick-offs. And the whole place is a photographer's dream! Perhaps nowhere more so that below the curved roof of the departure gates –so unlike any other airport. I felt that black and white worked best here –a little because I had seen so many such images taken here during the Berlin airlift, but also because the contrast worked so effectively. And there is a spookiness about the picture –the planes that would once lined up here are made so much more potent by their absence. It's as if the emptiness conjours up their ghosts. Location: Berlin, Germany

Cute Van

Being more of a train and ship kind of person I'm not really into cars or road vehicles, so you won't have seen many photographs of them on my blog. But some vehicles are just too cute not to be given a spot. Like this one –a delightful little ice-cream van that I found parked outside the British Museum in London. Its has a beautifully evocative colour scheme and charming lines, undeniably retro but with plenty of attitude too –the light, creamy sort! Its profile reminds me a lot of certain fish that you find in tropical waters, the window resembling an eye and the front a sort of snout. I like the way the wet flagstones and puddles reflect the blue of the wheels, and the stance of the rather bored-looking ice-cream man inside as he waits for customers. Above all I love the cleanness and cheerfulness of the little truck contrasted with the sombre and rather grey columns and facade behind it. A cute van indeed. And very British. Location: London, England

Dealey Plaza

Today marks the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Though this event happened before I was born it has always moved me greatly. A couple of years ago I took this picture of Dealey Plaza from a train I was on travelling from New Orleans to Chicago via Dallas. It had slowed down almost to a snail's speed to enter Union Station, and from the window I was able to see this surreally familiar landscape -instantly recognizable from all the news footage and the many documentaries about the assassination that I had seen. Apart from the modern glass building in the background everything seemed uncannily the same as it had in 1963. It had a profound affect on me –the train took about as long to pass as the presidential motorcade would have taken to pass down the street. Looking at my photograph again now there seem to be curious echoes of that day in 1963 –the black cars heading down, the people on the grass, the book depository in the background, and as it happened to be a bright day in November, the similarities were doubly potent. Location: Dallas, USA

Something Spectacular

The city of Birmingham in England recently opened its new central library –an incredible building quite unlike anything anywhere else, both inside and out. It's a futuristic set of blocks piled on top of each other like Lego bedecked with gold and intricately crafted metalwork, dominating the skyline and so audacious that one thinks one has been transported into a future world. A year or so ago I visited the city and saw it being built and thought it was hideous, but now that it has been completed I have changed my mind completely. Because boldness is a virtue, and this building is nothing if not bold. But it cherishes its past too –the golden round structure at the top of the building contains within it the original Shakespeare room of the city's old Victorian library, lovingly restored and reconstructed within this magical temple to books and writing and learning. This picture was my first view of the completed library, taken on a windy day that sent clouds carouseling across an otherwise bright sky. The light was interesting, to say the least, and formed a rather magical backdrop to a magical building. Location: Birmingham, England

Lady Selling Treats in the Park

A walk in the park, any park, is a delightful and rewarding experience in any city in the world. Parks may be different, some grand, some lowly, some ornate, some sprawling, but they all share the quality of being a retreat –from traffic, bustle, noise, stress and the myriad frustrations of city life. They are a city's lungs, playgrounds and pleasure grounds, and are wonderful for really getting to know a place. It is easy to strike up a conversation because people have time, and there is always something going on and something interesting, amusing or fascinating to see –or is it that our eyes are open to more when relaxed? I think all our senses are sharpened by a walk in a park. Here, a lady has set up tables bearing treats –sumptuous toffee-apples, wafer-cakes, popcorn-clusters– and waits patiently for passers-by to indulge. And of course we will!Location: Bucharest, Romania

Death of a Camera

It had been raining in London earlier that day and there were still some puddles about. The garish neon lights of Soho reflected in the water and off metal surfaces and windows in this curious alleyway. It is early evening so there is still some blue left in the sky. There are people about, but not too many and not too close. Intent on capturing this indeterminate phase between day and night, when people had finished work, but it was still too early for night life, I snapped away and took some interesting pictures. This was the last. Yes, it is a little blurred; I would have perfected the image with the next shot, but that was not to be. Because exactly one second after this shot had been taken the camera somehow slipped from my hands and crashed onto the pavement. Usually I am very careful, and lucky, but in this instance the camera hit the ground in such a way that the lens casing was knocked crooked, the electronics went ballistic, flashing messages appeared on the screen, and then all went dead. Nothing I tried, from gentle persuausion to frustrated violence could bring my camera back to life, or even realign the lens casing, and it has remained stuck and crooked in my bag ever since. Ok, it was not an expensive camera (it was a Canon PowerShot), but it had become a trusty companion over the 20 months I had used it. Easy to use, dependable and packed with power and life –but not immortal. Now it rests in a cupboard with numerous other cameras that have died or broken or just given up; I can't bear to get rid of them. But nor could I be without a pocket camera –I felt instantly naked and cut off without one, so the next day I purchased a Canon Ixus 135, similar in size and quality but still a little unfamiliar. And you can be sure I am handling it very, very carefully. But this picture will forever be a reminder of –and a memorial too– by dear little PowerShot! R.I.P. Location: London, England

Happy Scary Halloween...

In the old days Halloween used to be... well, on Hallowe'en, 31st October, the eve of All Saints Day, but now, like so many other days of celebration or festivity, it seems to start earlier and earlier, and I have already encountered numerous witches, vampires and zombies -and myriad monsters, mutants and malevolent miscreants, days before the day itself. For me however, more than anything else, Halloween is about pumpkins -carved and hideous. I don't know why they should be connected to this day other than that they make such wonderful frightening heads –good enough reason really! Here is one that particularly frightened me a couple of years ago. I returned from dinner one Halloween to the mysterious old inn I was staying at in Virginia. The entrance to my room was in a darkened courtyard, with shadowy trees leering above and the wind howling. It was the perfect setting for spookiness, and just in front of my door I found this... Location: Richmond, USA

A London Scene

I will shortly be going to London again, and I have been looking through my album of pictures I have taken there over the years as a sort of aperitif. It is one my favourite cities, and it never ever disappoints. One of the streets there I like most, is a little alley between Charing Cross Road and St. Martin's Lane called Cecil Court. It is a place of rare delight: a treasure-trove of ever-changing magic for collectors of books, photographs, coins, maps, prints and theatre memorabilia –like myself. And as it is a street without motor traffic, it has retained its Dickensian charm, and every time I pass through it I tremble with anticipation as to what I may find. Perhaps that is why this picture, taken there, is a little unfocused. I was going to trash it, but then realized that it captured something essential about London, and about this place in particular, and now I rather like it despite its technical faults. I find that many photographs that are "perfect" lack soul, whereas this one seems genuinely to capture a mood as well as a moment. I identify totally with the browsing gentleman, and am drawn to the bright allure of the interiors and the varied goodies on display, but it's that fish skeleton, hovering incongruously above, that really makes the image fascinating and compelling, and what makes London so utterly a city of delightful little surprises. I can't wait to return! Location: London, England

Glory of Autumn

Ok, so I can't quite leave autumn yet. The first snow of the season is forecasted for tomorrow, and winter-time proper starts with the changing of the clocks at the end of the coming week. But the last glorious gasps of autumn are often the most spectacular, especially when the sky is blue and the sun embraces each leaf with glowing, mellow warmth. I love to look up at the trees at such times, because their majesty is never more beautiful or comforting. Soon they will be naked, stripped of their finery, before perhaps being dressed again in a winter coat of snow. Each season has its rich gifts of course, but autumn remains my favourite, always. Location: Oslo, Norway

Boston Autumn

To round off this week of autumn/fall photographs here's one from one of my favourite American cities. This s a lake in the Boston Public Garden looking towards Beacon Street. The bridge is particularly beautiful, as are the cascading willow trees in all their glory. The green jetty on the side is, in summer, the embarkation point for the famous "Swan Boats" that have been a delightful feature of Boston's leisure pursuits for years and years and years. Sadly the swan boats have been packed away, though on this particular day they would have been great for further enjoying the beauty of these gardens –the genteel sister of the more knockabout (but equally pleasant) neighboring Boston Common. Location: Boston, USA

Leaf in London

Autumn usually arrives gradually, and subtly, seldom dramatically; but there is sometimes a particular moment that informs you of its arrival – as unmistakable a calling card in the progress of change of season as the first buds of spring. This leaf was the calling card of one such autumn, its fall to the ground stopped by being snagged by part of lamp-fitting outside a London Underground station, and staying there at a strange angle, signaling to all who left or entered the station that the change of season had begun. I found it rather beautiful -the mixture of nature and city, though I wish I had stopped for longer to take a closer, better picture. Unfortunately I was in a hurry; it had turned rather chilly. But I captured the moment that autumn arrived! Location: London, England

Autumn from the Olive Grove

I'm highlighting autumn all this week, and celebrating nature's transformation to warm colours. It's a season I always look forward to, though in Norway it is usually rather short. It started in Greece a little earlier, as can be seen in this picture I took a few weeks ago. Though there is still plenty of green, the golden browns are already making themselves known. I just liked the layered effect of the different colours as they catch the evening light. Location: Corfu, Greece

Enchanted Lake

Ok, so I finally must concede that summer has now said its goodbyes and autumn (or fall if you are so inclined) is impatiently and eagerly colouring gold and red the foliage that has been so richly green for the past months. Indeed it has been one of the finest summers I can remember. But autumn is always more glorious, more dramatic, and melancholy, and it is my favourite season –at least until the temperatures stoop and the winds rip off the last garments of magnificently dressed trees. Autumn is also a dream for photography, and I was particularly proud of this shot that I took of a perfectly still, little lake on Belle Isle, which is located in the James River that flows through Richmond. I came across it quite by accident while out exploring and at just the right time, when the sun was mellow and the air crisp and clear. The bare rock face in the background (which I believe indicates that this was once part of a quarry) creates an interesting blue effect in the palette of faded greens and gold, and the twin dipping trunks of the most prominent tree spills its reflection lazily into the tranquil surface to create an image of both graceful sadness and mysterious beauty. Location: Virginia, USA

Room With a...View?

Sometimes there's a kind of unrealised beauty in the mundane. Beauty may be a bit strong. Fascination may be a better word. And decay and deprivation and dirt can be fascinating –and gross at the same time. Stopping over in Chicago for one night with little money I found a cheap hotel; the room was ..quaiI don't think the window-cleaner had been there since there either. The rest of the room was ok; it was just the windows that left something to be desired. But the caked layers of dust and cobwebs that filled the gaps between the two panes somehow also filtered the sunlight fractioning it into interesting shadows and patterns. One was left feeling the passing of time, of the stream of guests that must have stood right here, right back to when the windows were first installed and first cleaned; feeling history and and the story of their lives. The hotel was never going to score high on anyone's rating, but standing here really did make me think about the city. Location: Chicago, USA

Autumn in the Mountains

I return again and again to the mountains; not just physically, but in my thoughts. It is a place of total peace and beauty for me; balm to the soul and tonic to the mind. Ever changing, ever fresh. The view, like life itself, surprises constantly, even though the details of the landscape are familiar. It is once again a matter of seeing things from a fresh angle, in a new way, which I suppose is what photography is all about too. Up in these mountains one doesn't have to be much of an artist –nature takes care of the lighting, the colour, the contrasts and the subject matter, and all the photographer needs to do is point his camera in any of a dozen directions. Yet sometimes one feels particularly grateful for having managed to capture a moment and an atmosphere, with all its freshness, its sounds and part of one's own soul. This was one such occasion. Location: Valdres, Norway

Drying Out

Sometimes you have to look up to get the best perspective on something -for life as for photographs. So often we go through life looking straight ahead, missing the beauty just above our heads, or to one side, or down a side-alley. Goals are fine and necessary, but so is marvelling, feasting on the magic of the ordinary, and finding extraordinary rewards there. Like (for me) the one red piece of washing out to dry on this line. I found myself wondering whether it had found its way into the laundry by mistake, or by design. It certainly gave this rather cluttered but charming view of a Greek back street a focus. I also liked the lines and the way they cross, and the light. But the sky is really what does it for me –its blue vastness forming the perfect contrasting the cluttered conditions below. Location: Corfu, Greece

Dancing Cranes

Re-visiting Berlin this summer I had hoped to get some better photographs of various landmarks than I had a couple of years ago, for much of the city had been one vast building site for a long time. But, alas, it still is. Indeed, it is a booming time for construction there, and I have never seen so many roads being dug up, so many cranes on the skyline, so much scaffolding and so many building sites. Eventually I started taking pictures of them rather than the landmarks I was there for, reflecting that so much of Berlin's history has been precisely about construction and reconstruction and redevelopment. It is certainly the most vibrantly creative urban landscape in Europe today, and I am sure it will all be wonderful when it is finished. I look forward to that day... Location: Berlin, Germany

Hat Wall

This was taken with my old camera, so it's a bit fuzzy, but I liked the subject matter. I like hats – they are always fun to try on, and as an actor I get to do so quite a lot. I tried some of these ones on too, but in Texas they have a far more practical purpose than being merely for show, because -surprise, suprise- it gets HOT! What I particularly liked about this display in is that basically all the hats are the same - ie. the same style; it is merely the colours and sizes that are different, though there are some subtle differences with the brims. I wanted to buy them all, but didn't. But at least I got the picture! Location: San Antonio, Texas

Pink Pipes on Potsdamer Platz!

I have been away travelling, so this is the first post in a while. One of the places I visited was one of my favourite capital cities, Berlin. I suppose these gas pipes class as "street furniture, though they could equally pass as a modern art installation –the distinction between the two is frequently diffuse in the vibrant, bustling, eclectic metropolis that Berlin has become. What I particularly liked was how something that is potentially such an eye-sore on the iconic location of Potsdamer Platz becomes almost cheerful by being pink. I have always felt that many modern urban streetscapes are startlingly dull because of the constancy of grey, but a little colour really does make a difference. Location: Berlin, Germany

Contemplating Cow

Another picture from Valdres in Norway; this is one of my favourites because I pretty much felt a sense of solidarity and sameness with this cow in the beautiful mountain countryside on such a lovely day. She seems to be gazing at the view with a sense of utter peace, having found the perfect sunny, grassy spot. I also like the vivid colours and the stillness of the picture -it captures the essential quality of this wonderful place, at least for me. Location: Valdres, Norway

Just Before Sunrise

Around 3.30 one morning last week while I was staying in a mountain lodge, I got up to peer out of the window because the colour of the sky was so fabulous and had woken me up, partly. I sleepily imagined I was still dreaming, but grabbed my camera and snapped this shot before clambering back to bed. Sunsets in the mountains can be dramatic and powerful, but few people get to see the sunrise, which seemed gentler, more wistful and somehow rather mysterious. There was a bit of mist on the lake, and this adds to that effect. I only wish I had been quick-thinking enough to go properly outside and take more photographs, but I was still half-asleep and only took one, so this is the only proof I have of that magical morning, but it captures for me both the stillness and the beauty of this special landscape. Location: Valdres, Norway

Goats Chillaxing

Every summer for hundreds of years goats (as well as sheep and cows) have been led up into the fertile grassy meadows of the mountains in Valdres to graze "and become fat". They are free to wander where they like, but come in to be milked twice a day. A "supervisor" goat with a bell round its neck leads the way and the others follow, though if they get lost, they can now, thanks to GPS, be fairly easily located. Unlike most sheep and cows– goats are very sociable and curious creatures, and are quite happy to come up and say hello, or allow one to get up close to take photographs, and though they are tremendous "poopers" their presence in the mountains is always charming -some motorists who have got stuck in front of them may of course disagree. Sadly, however, it seems that this is the last summer that the goats will be holidaying up here, due to the imposing demon of the EU who have come up with some kind of new rules to keep them away. Sad because they seem, like me, to be so content here. They certainly seem so in this picture. Location: Valdres, Norway

Cows On Their Way To Tea

All this week I will be highlighting pictures from my beloved Valdres in central Norway. It really is my favourite place on Earth, and I have been going there for 25 years. The first time I was there I took some really fabulous pictures, only to discover later that I had forgotten to put film in the camera! Hopefully my practical photography skills have improved a little since then, even though I am now digital. I took this picture one evening about five o'clock when the cows returned to their barn for the night. Cows in Valdres famously produce the best milk in Norway, and spend the summer months grazing freely all day in the lush mountain grass. But to intice them to return they get a little treat. These particular animals are the lazy ones –the ones who would prefer to stay out all night, and had to be rounded in by a farmer (just out of shot) who sang to them! The cows have bells around their necks, so all in all it was quite a bizarre musical experience. Location: Valdres, Norway

A Familiar View, Different Season

I have just returned from my favourite place in the whole world -the mountains of Valdres in Norway, and had the chance to photograph again many of the places I shot last autumn, including the heading photograph of this blog. Only now the summer farms were populated with grazing cows, sheep and goats, and verdant greens formed the palette of colours rather than the golden browns of autumn. Each season has its own beauty and charm though, and I have already planned to return to this place in the thick of winter to capture the same image when covered with snow. But here, briefly perhaps, is glorious summer, to be enjoyed to the full. I particularly liked the effect of the splash of red from the walker's jacket, and, though it is somehow bizarrely located in such an idyllic landscape, the abandoned retro yellow petrol pump -which I learned was now being used by birds as a rather luxurious nest! Location: Valdres, Norway

Alleyway...

I am currently re-watching some of the classic Sherlock Holmes movies from the 1930s and 40s, and am fascinated how so much the atmosphere is created with contrasts of light and shadow in constructed studio sets that evoke a London of fog, mystery and suspense. Though I took this picture in the daytime it nevertheless conjures up for me something of that mystique –I can easily imagine placing Sherlock Holmes himself in this alley, striding along with his trusty companion, Doctor Watson. I was particularly pleased with the total blackness of the top of the picture, which makes the sunlight beyond so inviting. I also liked quite well the way the texture of the stone came out. If I had had a fog machine under my arm I think I could have even recreated something of Conan Doyle's London too! Location: London, England

Half-submerged Quay

Summer. Rich and warm. Blue skies and deeper blue water –such as in this forest lake that I came across quite by accident whilst out hiking last week. The half-submerged quay beckons the passer-by: come and stick your weary, hot toes in the refreshing water, or jump out from the plank –it's all so inviting -and the total tranquility of the scene –no one else was about for this was deep in the countryside– made it even more delightful. It's not only my own favourite picture of this summer –but it was my favourite day. Location: Nordmarken, Oslo, Norway

Cover Change

I have just changed the cover or header of this blog for the first time since I started posting –I thought it was about time, and hopefully the text is a little easier to read on the new background. But I didn't want to to totally lose the photograph that I had as the header before, so here it is, unsullied by my text! It was taken along the beach promenade in Brighton in 2009, but I suspect is pretty much the same today, though perhaps some of those colourful doors are now open in the hot weather, and the "clairvoyante to the stars" is doing brisk summer business! Location: Brighton, England

The Tour Party

People on tour groups fascinate me -they become something of a creature of their own, rather like queues do, and tend quite often to adopt all sorts of interesting dynamics, habits and even manners of dress -mostly very colourful. Inevitably cameras (or other photograph-taking devices) are always at the ready, so that nothing is missed. Yet sometimes I feel the cameras are seeing whatever it is the people are looking at rather than the viewer -say I, who take photographs myself! Now I am not at all criticizing or mocking tour groups in any way –though rudely noisy or disrespectful groups of any kind tend to ignite my irritation– I just find them interesting to observe. This group are visiting Oslo's historical castle. I liked the colours and ways people are standing, and the cameras and the man with his hand oustretched give a focal point that is out of frame; whatever it is it clearly has them captivated ..except one or two who seem rather bored. Location: Oslo, Norway

The Birds is Coming -II !

To complement yesterday's entry I thought it would be nice to redress the balance and say that most birds I have encountered have been perfectly behaved, unobtrusive and genial, and I couldn't imagine a world without them –the sound of birds singing in the morning or evening is one of my favourite things. And even seagulls can be polite and friendly, such as these fine gulls in South Carolina who were clearly only too delighted to be able to pose for my camera. They had no intention of ganging up against the human race... or did they! Location: Charleston, South Carolina

The Birds is Coming!

Earlier this week I re-watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic "The Birds" and once again found it to be a most unsettling film –strengthened as it was by an experience I had a few days earlier when I was attacked by a very angry raven in Oslo. It was unexpected and –as far as I was concerned- totally unprovoked, though I may unknowlingly have trespassed onto what the raven considered its own personal territory. The attack resembled very closely those in the film, and I was indeed fortunate that it was only one bird that was after me. But some years ago, on an island off the Australian coast, I was similarly attacked by a seagull on an idyllic, deserted beach In the film seagulls are the other large bird doing the damage along with the ravens. So though I am truly a bird-lover (ornithology is one of my other hobbies) I am now a little apprehensive when I notice them ganging up, lest they have it in for me! These gulls however seemed fairly harmless –more curious and cheeky than vindictive– and I was quite pleased to get five of them into one shot in all their flying beauty -without being pecked! Location: Brighton, England

Union Club

For Independence Day I wanted to post a picture that captured for me the spirit and heritage of The United States, and this is one of a building I find particularly apt –The Union Club in Boston. It was founded in 1863 as a gentleman's club in support of the Union, and has had many prominent members over the years such Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Its location is apt too –on Park Street (part of the Freedom Trail), overlooking Boston Common on one side and the Granary Burial Grounds on the other. It is a sedate, solid and traditional place, and its facade looked particularly fine in the evening sun when I took this picture; it seems to be veritably glowing with pride. Happy Independence Day. Location: Boston, USA

Headless Zebra or Painted Burro or Back End of a Horse!

Some photographs turn out unintentionally amusing, like this one of a donkey -or burro...or zebra.... in a Mexican street. I had hoped to capture the whole of the animal, but of course he had to dip his head just as I took my picture. I am inclined to believe the animal has merely been decorated to look like a zebra, the clue being the "graffiti fest" banner in the background. The stripes seem to be fading a bit around the middle of the animal, adding to the surrealistic nature of the picture. Location: Tijuana, Mexico

Sky Over Shaftesbury Avenue

The heart of London's West End theatre district may be Piccadily Circus or Leicester Square, but Shaftesbury Avenue is really its main artery, with no less than four theatres visible in this picture –The Queens, The Gielgud, The Apollo and The Lyric. But it is the sky that obviously plays a more prominent role in this picture –unusually vibrant for London with masses of gold filling the evening air. The picture leaves me with a warm feeling, a longing for those rare summer evenings when the sun seems reluctant to go down, and the air is filled with the excitement of the season. Location: London, England

Guards Marching

The changing of the guard at Oslo's fort on a summer's afternoon. Such ceremonies are always great photo opportunities, but quite often one has to jostle with numerous tourists to get a good view or a perfect shot. But here there are no crowds. Next to me are only a few curious visitors who happened to drop by at this particular time. The soldiers belong to the King's Royal Guard and naturally always impeccably turned out. I liked here particularly the "clockwork" manner of their marching. Location: Oslo, Norway

Under the Pier

Continuing with piers –such a very British institution– here is a photograph taken on the east coast of England, showing the underside of Great Yarmouth's Britannia pier stretching across the wide, sandy beach before continuing into the water. It's not really spectacular, but I liked the lighting with the shadows and hues, and the promise of blue sea way out in the distance. Location: Gt. Yarmouth, England

Remains of a Pier

Derelict or crumbling structures, especially those with an illustrious past, always fascinate me and set me snapping away with whatever camera I have to hand. This is the sad skeleton of Brighton's once-proud West Pier, built in 1866 and genteel place of leisure and entertainment for over a century until it closed in 1975, and then suffered two fires in 2003 which more or less sealed its fate –at least for now (for there are strong calls for it to be restored). There is sadly little here to remind us of what it once was, but old postcards and photographs reveal it to be far prettier than the larger Palace Pier a bit further down the beach. Now it's a forlorn and jumbled mass of iron, yet somehow it still retains a certain grace -and I do hope it sees new days of glory in the future. Location: Brighton, England

Out West

I came across this picture whilst clearing out some unused photographs from a trip to the USA a year ago. I was travelling mostly by rail, and snapping away at the ever-changing landscapes through the train windows. It's very much a hit-or-miss pursuit because things flash by so quickly, trains generally vibrate quite a bit, and taking pictures through glass does not always work well. But nevertheless it's always worth a try, and sometimes the results can be quite pleasing –it helps a lot if the train is not moving too fast. This particular shot was taken from the Rail Runner between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and reminds me a bit of old westerns. I like the way the two poles dominate the picture without distracting from the landscape beyond. Location: New Mexico, USA

Waiting for the Ferry

Late afternoon on a summer's day in Oslo –or rather on the island of Hovedøya, a beloved place for recreation, swimming, picnics and relaxation just a stone's throw from the city, which can be seen here in the background. It is truly one of the joys of living in Oslo that one has such places as this so close by, just a short ferry ride, though on the warmest days of summer the boats are frequently full, and some people have to wait for the next one. But nobody seems too concerned, after all: they have had a lovely day! Location: Oslo, Norway

Sweden in the Kitchen

It's Sweden's National day today, and as I am a quarter Swedish myself I feel justified in celebrating a little. My kitchen is particularly Swedish, and I don't just mean that most of the fittings come from Ikea, but that I have tried as much as possible to stick to blue and yellow colours. The bananas, had they been straighter, would have formed a more perfect flaga against the plates, and that melon should rightly have been a swede -but I am not out to be pedantic, just a little Swedish patriotic!

Near the Beach Just After Sunset

The "magic" times for photography are very early in the morning and especially that golden spell around sunset and just after, when the light is mellow and warm and inviting. Add some sea, a quiet restaurant by a beach and some unconcerned goats for good measure, and you end up with a picture like this. It sort of says "Thank you" to the beach for a good day spent there, and at the same time lets you know that you are welcome back again tomorrow. For me it instantly conjours up the gentle evening sounds, smells and atmosphere of a long, lazy holiday. Nothing particularly spectacular, but special all the same. Location: Crete, Greece

Back Street

I am quite often more fascinated by back streets and side streets than main streets –they seem to have more genuine character, and more interesting things can often be found there. This particular cobblestone street in the Polish capital appealed to me particularly because of the unusual angled lower walls on the left, but I also liked the way the soft sun shone down the street, playing mellow light against the buildings. Location: Warsaw, Poland

Vespas!

No, this picture was not taken in Italy, even though it has an undeniably Italian flavour in more ways than one. It was actually taken outside a pizza restaurant in central Oslo. The Vespas have clearly been parked there to advertise the establishment, but in a seemingly casual but cheeky way. Three of anything is always interesting, and the three mopeds are echoed by the three empty chairs visible through the window and the three waiting customers inside. The colours and composition worked well, in all making me quite proud of this picture. Location: Oslo, Norway

Gloves

With the sweltering heat of this weekend, winter seems a distant memory; yet I only got round to packing away my winter clothes a few days ago. I did some stock-taking first, and took this photograph of some of my gloves before packing them down. I just liked the different colours and textures and all those dozens of empty fingers! Now it's all about shorts and T-shirts!

Greek Balcony

I have a little balcony at home, and now that summer is almost here I am trying hard to create a little oasis of colour and life there with flowers and plants. Sadly however I do not have green fingers, so my balcony will never look as pretty and "unforced" as this one which I passed by while on holiday on a Greek island It's so simple, but I love the colours and textures and feeling that this has been here for ever. One day, when my own balcony efforts have improved, I will post a picture of that. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I do. Location: Levkada, Greece