Reflections in Puddles

I have found that one of the most exciting and interesting times totake pictures is after it has rained. Water on stone surfaces reflects light in fascinating ways, often creating patterns and colours that are not seen when it is dry. And I am particularly attracted to puddles or pools of rainwater because they can suddenly become exciting paintings, framed by their own circumference, reflecting wild sunsets or humdrum buildings and forcing you to look at the world from a slightly different angle. Here puddles in a car-park reflect the facade of nearby buildings but seem almost to create new little worlds of their own, like portals into the deep.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Night Train

An empty train waiting to depart at Paddington Station late one night. Nothing special about that, except that Paddington, of all London stations, is always a thrill to visit –a true and vast cathedral to rail travel. And it's so spacious that one never feels crowded there, except perhaps when busy commuter trains spill out their passengers of a morning. At night, it's quieter (but never still) and in places a little bit ghostly, but I love to walk along the platforms and imagine the many destinations the trains standing there will pass through. The lighting is alluring -in places, such as against the huge curved ceilings it is blue, like a nightclub. You only see a tiny bit of it here, but I like this picture because it seems to catch something of the essence of what makes train stations so alluring and romantic (at least for me!) I like the variety of lines and the mix of light and shadow and particularly the long stretch of windows along the sleek side of the empty train. All aboard!

Location: London, England

Board Among the Rocks

Though I intensely disapprove of littering and irresponsible discarding of rubbish, some objects of waste can be surprsingly captivating -such as this unwanted piece of wooden boarding lodged among rocks on a Greek shore. Perhaps it washed up from the sea, who knows, but there must be a story behind it –the broken board with its flaking paint, at least three colours, gives the effect of a map or a piece of modern art, and somehow blends in with the naturally created patterns and colours of the rocks and the swirling water. It is an example of how the seemingly mundane can appear dramatic; how everyday objects can take on a strange beauty.

Location: Samos, Greece

Winter sun

With the sun low in the sky during much of the winter (at least here in Oslo) one sometimes experiences almost blinding dazzledness (–or dazzling blindness?) when the shafts of sunlight sweep down city streets. Here the sun catches the otherwise humdrum wooden boardings around a building under renovation, creating a wonderful golden wall that has a kind of magic quality to it. On an cold day like the one the picture was taken, this glow gives a kind of warmth –at least inside; and walking along the boarding becomes an exalted experience!

Location: Oslo, Norway

Train Departure

The Amtrak train leaves the Main Street station of Richmond on a damp autumn afternoon, crawling like a segmented snake into the mist. Above, a bewildering mass of wires, cables and lines. Anyone who knows me knows that one of my greatest passions is trains and travelling on them. They can sometimes be elusive things to capture interestingly in a photograph though. What I liked here was the fact that we see so much of the train because the track is curved at this point and each carriage (or car, if you prefer) is shown at a slightly different angle to the next one, giving the picture a more interesting slant. The man about to cross the tracks gives the picture a human dimension, contrasting with the frightening technological aspect of the lines and cables above.

Location: Richmond, Virginia, USA

Lunch for Two

Things that look similar or identical are often fascinating subjects for a photograph; people too, which is why twins invariable work well in pictures, whatever the circumstances. Whether these two workmen on their lunch-break are twins is unclear, but they could certainly be brothers; there's something tremendously satisfying about the similarity of their posture, the identical plastic bags between their legs and the same Hi-Vis vests. The location is, of course, the base of the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus -itself probably the most photographed spot in London. Against the dark base these two light up, enjoying a few minutes repose before returning to work. I liked the sense of "moment" and the somehow rather sweet pairing.

Location: London, England

Quayside Sunset

The long, long hot summer seems to be drawing to a close, and though there are no doubt many warm days and evenings still ahead before autumn and winter sets in, the harsh and scorching heat of a couple of weeks ago have mostly abated. For many, the cooler days are very welcome, as is the rain that has started to pour over Oslo more regularly again –like in a "normal" summer. But no one can take away the beauty and mellow peacefulness of late-summer evenings and the sun dipping down beyond the fjord. This is one of my favourite places in Oslo to go for walks and bike rides –along the long quayside that sticks out into the bay and then circles around the castle on the other side, creating one continuous path. Here, a cruise ship is just about to depart in the distance having spent the day in Oslo. Usually along here you'll find dozens of people with fishing rods; some of them may be obscured by the shadows. Otherwise, it's usually a peaceful place -close to the city yet away from its noise and bustle. I took this picture as a snapshot while out biking, so though it's not perfect, I felt it captured very much the mood of a moment; a summer evening moment!

Location: Oslo, Norway

Summer Idyll

Summer time in the countryside; is there anything nicer? the bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming, the sky is blue and the cows are ...mooing? Well, maybe not the latter; they seem to be doing what they do best –chewing and staring. They're up here for the summer to graze so for them too it's a kind of holiday, even though they are milked daily. Here I was eager to "frame" the cows between the gate posts and capture a little bit of everything that makes me love the Norwegian countryside in summer –the colours, the trees, the clouds. I wish I could have captured the sound too (almost, but not quite, silence) and the many smells, but these you will have to imagine. Perhaps the picture at least helps evoke a feeling –of peace, summer and idyllic days in the country.

Location: Valdres, Norway

Samosian Sunrise

Everyone loves a good sunset and there are thousands or probably millions of photographs that have captured them in some way –I've taken a few hundred myself. But sunrises are a little different, a little rarer. This is because whilst everyone is up and around to enjoy the sight of the sun going down, relatively few are up early enough to see it rise –except at certain times of year up here in the north when it doesn't seem to rise until the afternoon, if at all. But sunrises have a double beauty to them. There is the uplifting sight of unfolding light illuminating and warming the shadows of the night, and then there is the tranquility of the atmosphere –the lack of people, noise, activity. Somehow this makes it easier to really appreciate a good sunrise than a good sunset; and its glory is a sort of special prize give to you for getting up so early. I can no longer remember why I was up so early in this particular instance, but there may have been no reason at all –other than just being out and about before the world has woken up. The picture is from the Greek island of Samos and the sun has just risen above the hills behind the trees. The trees block off much of the light but the sun, even at this early hour, is too strong and pushes its golden rays through the branches and onto the clean cobblestones by the harbour, creating a yellow-brick road that has a magical quality to it. Ten minutes later, five minutes, the scene had changed, so I was happy to have captured this moment of gleaming splendour before the hot Greek sun washed everything into harsh whiteness.

Location: Pythagoreio -Samos, Greece

Boats For Hire

The harsh sun has dipped towards the sea but sends its last rays of warm gold across the water to reflect against the equally gold hulls of these boats, berthed close to a beach on the northern coast of Corfu. Fishing boats are berthed behind them, and out on the water a single little ferry is heading out into the sunset. These boats would have been busy taking tourists along the coastline earlier in the day but now they can rest gently until tomorrow. I like the calm of the picture; though there is a lack of people there is no sense of isolation. Also the picture has a nice temperature about it; the lingering warmth of a hot day giving way to a milder but sweetly tempting Greek evening...

Location: Corfu, Greece

The Day Off

A picture that smacks of relaxation, independence and the joy of free time. I like the neatness of the photograph, Without the white beach hut in the foreground I think the image of the relaxing man would be isolated, but here it has a comforting presence. I also like how he is placed between the two buoys out in the sea. The motive may make us smile a little but it is the the composition that really makes the picture, I feel.

Location: Deal, England

The Sledging Party

With much of Europe battling unprecedented winter conditions (taken in stride in Norway) it is uplifting that people are making the most of the snow and taking to winter sports and activities with a vengeance. This group of five girls and a sledge marches as resolutely through the snow as arctic explorers heading for the pole. I like it that they are in a line rather than bunched together and the body language is interesting –is one of the girls less thrilled about the upcoming sledging activity than the others? And is the sledge-puller herself perhaps texting for back-up troops or castigating some shirking confederate who has failed to show up for the fun. I just felt it was a nice wintery sort of picture to share while we all wait for the coming of warmer days.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Old Sea Dog

Though not at sea we are in the water here, for this is HMS Warrior, the first armour-plated, iron-hulled warship, built in 1860 for the Royal Navy. She is now permanently berthed by the wonderful Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth as a museum ship, and is well worth a visit, even though most visitors tend to head first for the even more famous HMS Victory which is also found here. But this means there are less people jostling about and –at least when I was there– no queue to get in; in fact, for a large part of my visit I had the great ship pretty much to myself, being one of the first guests to arrive that day. However, I was not quite alone, for pacing the deck was this elderly gentleman –presumably a guide but perhaps a ghost, who by the manner of his gait and poise was re-living days of glory at sea. I imagined him to be a crusty old captain, only really happy when aboard a mighty vessel. Here he seems content –the seas are calm and all is well; there is no mutiny today nor any sign of the enemy. There is time for reflection, and thoughts of a life devoted to the sea. I felt the picture captured both something of the grandeur of the ship and the story of a man, and I like that he is standing a little in the shade, hands behind his back, in control.

Location: Portsmouth, England

Boy on Stairs

Stairs can be interesting motives for photography, both in their own right and as a metaphor for going somewhere –or coming from somewhere; there's always the ambiguity, for stairs go both up and down and can represent escape, journey, adventure, progress and numerous other things depending on one's perspective. With this particular picture I didn't really have any lofty notions other than to capture the rather glorious effect of strong sunlight filtered into a more mellow state through the glass roof of a train station and down into the staircase leading from a platform. The boy on the stairs seems to be hovering with indecision –has he left said goodbye to someone on the platform above but is reluctant to leave them just yet? Is he waiting for someone? Or is he unsure of whether he is in the right place. The boy is not the main motive of the picture, but adds something human to the picture, I think. I took similar shots without there being anyone on the stairs, but then the effect was one of abandoned emptiness which though visually pleasing was not quite interesting enough. I love the various lines and textures here, and though a better camera than I had at the time would have given an even sharper image, I was quite pleased with the result.

Location: Amsterdam, Holland

Benches at Sunset

A fairly hazy but pleasant autumn day on the south coast of England with the sun going down and bathing the beach and surroundings in a gentle, pale luminosity heightened by the haze. The sunset has been more spectacular and vivid earlier, but noe people are heading home as the air is turning chilly. These benches would have been occupied earlier by people looking out to sea, taking in the salty air, calmly contemplating... Now the benches themselves get to contemplate. I was intrigued by the way the light hit the slats, lifting the ordinariness of the benches to something special and perhaps a little bit magical (helped by the haze). They invite, yet one almost dares not disturb. There's also a nice line into the distance with the slats and the railings contrasting with the lines out into the sea of the breakers and pier.

Location: Hastings, England

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

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

Au Revoir, Tour de France, 2017

Being hooked on cycling, it is perhaps not surprising that closely following the 21 stages of the Tour de France has meant my mind this month has been full of exciting moments, gruelling mountain climbs, exhilarating sprint finishes, frenzied commentary and the whizz of bicycles flashing by. But the event is so much more than just the cycling -there's theatre, circus, history, geography, comradeship and a closeness between spectator and participant that is unlike that in any other sport. I have even had dreams about cycle races these past few weeks. Today, sadly, it is all over for 2017, but perhaps as a timely salute to France for putting on this spectacular undertaking year after year, the sun shone brightly through a couple of bottles on the white window-sill of my living room, creating the distinctive and proud Tricolore. Vive la France et Le Tour –À la prochaine!! Location: Oslo, Norway

Street Scene

I found this little moment of an urban summer both charming and irresistible. In front of an ornate and somewhat extravagant fountain sculpture, a man is playing a guitar. His main audience is three little children standing seemingly mesmerised by his music. Other people nearby are enchanted as much by the children as the melody. I don't know which of them, if any, are their parents, but I love the span of life that is indicated by the elderly man on the side looking at them, perhaps remembering his own childhood with fondness. And who could not be captivated by these sweet children -only the ones smoking and checking their mobile telephones! (I wish I could erase them from the picture, but they are part of the moment too.) What I like above all else about the picture is the contrast of the bombastic lavishness of the statue and the simple yet epic moment of the human interactions. I'm tempted to say "All of art and all of life in one picture" but that would be stretching it a little too far. I am just glad I was able to capture such a magical little scene, even though technically the shot is not as sharp as I would have liked it to have been; sometimes (most times, perhaps) the content of an image and what it signifies is what really counts most. Location: Augsburg, Germany

Window Cleaning

Now here's a picture that may at first glance not seem all that interesting (though personally I am always intrigued by blocks of flats and how each identical apartment and balcony present themselves so differently). We're in the residential area of a coastal town in southern Albania, of all places, and though there is enough blue sky to tell us that it's a bright summer day little sunlight manages to reach this rather confined little backstreet. But look up at the top of the picture and you'll see something unusual, if not downright disturbing! A young woman is cleaning her windows, and to do so she has climbed out of one to reach the other and is hanging on to the side of the building, unsecured, with a sheer drop of at least five floors below. Now I know all about wanting to have clean windows and how it can become an obsession, but observing this manner of going about things made my stomach turn. And until I saw what she was actually doing I was worried she was about to throw herself out of the window. Yet she seemed to be in total control and unaffected by the height or potential danger of her undertaking, and who knows, maybe this is the preferred way of cleaning windows in Albania –either that or she's an off-duty acrobat. Personally, I would rather use a very long squeegee! Location: Saranda, Albania