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

Civil War Graves

Sometimes, I feel commenting on a picture is unnecessary because an image is perfectly capable of speaking for itself. And such is the case here.

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

City Skyline

It's been a while since I was last in Chicago so the city skyline has probably changed a little since this picture was taken –buildings tend to grow higher and smarter all the time, but what I like about them is that they are all different, all unique, yet stacked together they create a uniform identity which I suppose could be said to embody the city itself. Here the sky is typically a little moody, the air chilly, but there's a determined sort of resilience about the view -here work and life is taking place behind a thousand windows. In the foreground are the trains, waiting moving -you can almost hear their bells and clatter. And beyond: the city beckons...

Location: Chicago, USA

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

A Bit of Red and Hopper

Edward Hopper (who incidentally died one day day before I was born) created numerable enduring and iconic images of America with his paintings and I have long been a great admirer of his work. Many of his paintings show single individual figures, captured in a moment's isolated loneliness in an urban setting. Yet other picture celebrate the urban settings themselves, and his particular mix of simplicity and emotional poetry in colour has very much influenced the way I often see things like streets and buildings, especially when in America. I suppose you could say this photograph is a kind of homage to Hooper –the clean simplicity is there, and the bold colour; perhaps the loneliness too, though to have been truly "Hopperian" I wish there had been someone leaning against the red wall enjoying a cigarette. Aside from the striking red walls, I like the low buildings themselves and the sprawl of telephone wires above creating a sort of jungle-like canopy. The telephone pole itself is almost exactly dead centre, which as a motive is something one should be a bit wary of in a photograph, but I think it works, not dominating the picture too much thanks to the brightness of those two red walls. The windows are interesting too. Location: Hollywood, Ca., USA

Way to Nashville

I'm always curiously more attracted by buildings that are decayed than shining, new constructions. perhaps it's because they inevitably have more of a story to tell, having a connection to the past that may suggest ups and downs, a piece of history or dreams once realised but now passed on, or left to smoulder away. And there's something strangely beautiful and poignant about crumbling walls, faded signs and dusty windows. At least that's how I see it. These particular buildings -which I photographed from a train that kindly slowed down at this particular point on its long journey to Chicago- are not really all that decrepit, not yet; but they are heading that way; for all I know they may now have been pulled down, or rehabilitated, but I was eager to capture them at this moment. I've rendered the picture in a slightly dirty sepia bordering on faded monochrome because I have been an avid devotee of many of history's great photographic journeymen and then capturing of out-of-the way America; many of them in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. It's their influence that informs this picture, and though I am far less skilled than them, through devouring their work a little of their spirit has worn off on me! Location: Tennessee, USA

Canine Patisserie

Well, I'm tempted to say "only in America" but I am sure I will be proven wrong. Everything on display here –every delicious-looking snack, cookie and cake is purely for our four-footed friends. And for the somewhat exclusive upper-market ones, at that. This is only one part of an entire store for such pampered pooches –elsewhere on display one could find designer baskets, food bowls and outfits and any number of luxurious (and expensive) playthings. And not only for the discerning dog customer,the shop also caters for the most choosy of cats. Such is Florida where pets frequently deserve –and get– the very best. Were I a dog the pastry "fun bones" at $2.99 a piece would be right up my street. Perhaps in the next life? Location: Miami, USA

Birds on Deck

A couple of the numerous helicopters and other aircraft on display on the deck of USS Midway - the famous aircraft carrier that is now berthed at San Diego as part of its maritime collection and open to visitors. It's one of the most absorbing "museums" I have ever visited and fabulously exciting to explore, and there are few areas that cannot be accessed. It was also a great place for photography, especially outside on the vast deck. The usually blue skies of southern California were on this particular occasion somewhat moody, but I found this an advantage in capturing the silhouettes of the assembled aircraft; the clouds give the picture a sense of magnitude, reflecting what these vessels are actually meant for; yet there is sunshine too, reflecting hope and a patch of pale blue - an appropriate window for these helicopters to head for. It is the mood of the picture that I like most- Location, San Diego, USA

Phone Booth

I am fascinated by ordinary things that look different in other countries. I've mentioned letter boxes/mail boxes before, but telephone booths, or call boxes, are equally unique to each country. With mobile phones being so prevalent they are however becoming a rarer piece of street furniture these days, and personally I don't think I have used one in years –but I don't want them to disappear altogether, because who knows when one is needed. Here's a rather fetching booth from Texas; I was intrigued at the uniform price for a call, and rather liked the red/yellow colour scheme. Location: El Paso, Texas, USA

Alamo Tree

Everyone recognizes the iconic image of the Alamo facade, potent symbol of its place in American history, and its probably one of the most photographed spots in America. But there is a lot more to the site than just that one image. This is from the garden at the back, which is truly beautiful and moving and an ideal place for reflection on what occurred there back in the day, away from the crowds who only want to take the obligatory shot of the facade. The garden is filled with amazing plants, historical artifacts and gentle lawns, but it was this magnificent tree next to the well that really captured my attention. It seemed ageless and somehow benign, providing shade in the hot Texan sun the day I was there. There is nothing but beauty and grace in its marvelously twisted branches, and if ever a tree could be said to be wise, it is true of this one. Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA

The St. Patrick's Day Concert

Well, this one came out somewhat blurred, and technically it's not at all impressive, but sometimes a picture just captures something of the atmosphere of a moment, such that you can't bear to discard it. It was St.Patrick's Day in Texas a year or two ago, and there was rather a poor turn out at this outdoor concert to celebrate the day. I felt a bit sorry for the band who were giving their all and doing a fine job, but to such a small crowd. The mosh pit is hardly heaving, but I love how attentive the kids at the front appear to be compared to the other members of the audience. I should add that this was the afternoon, and things picked up considerably as evening approached. In fact things became quite lively! Happy St. Patrick's Day, wherever you are. Location: El Paso, USA

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

Portland Facade

I have always loved photographs of provincial America, especially those of the 1920s to 1940s. They so often feature iconic labels, mostly of cigarettes or soft drinks, that give them both a contemporary placing and a timeless flavour. I think I was trying to emulate such pictures when I took this one close to the quayside in Portland, Maine. I was fascinated by the brightly painted wooden facades that managed to look both new and old at the same time. And the Coca Cola sign was almost too good to be true, with its smears of running rust. Ideally there should have been an old sea dog sitting on the wooden sidewalk, but this was too cold a day even for the staunchest sailor. My camera was playing up because of the cold, so it's rather too blurred for my liking, but I am in a nostalgic mood, and so posting it anyway. Location: Portland, Maine

Sunbathing Alligator

We had been out on the bayou for quite some time on a slow-moving, low-draughted river boat. The water was slugish and covered with green..something or other, so that traversing it was like sliding across a strange lawn. There were numerous logs floating about, and every time a new one appeared someone would shout "Alligator!" and we would all look down excitedly, only to be fooled again, though sometimes the distinction was none too clear. But then, just as the sun came out properly, I caught sight of the real thing – marvellously "louche" and spread over a fallen tree trunk. I was captivated because it was the first alligator I had seen in the wild. He (or maybe she) eyed us with mild disinterest while I busily took my pictures. I saw several other alligators that day, but none seemed so relaxed or commanding than this one. I was later told that it was just a young one... Location: Louisiana, USA

Jackson Square

A clear blue sky, lush foliage, perfectly groomed grass and the clean lines of three historic buildings -the Cabildo, Saint Louis Cathedral and the Presbytère. Also horses and carriages, wrought-iron gates, a famous statue of Andrew Jackson and a man with a bag. I liked the clean symmetry of the vista and the colours, especially the white of the carriage wheels. I was also quite pleased with capturing another photographer at work –the man taking a picture of his girlfriend in front of the statue. Yet the idyllic atmosphere has a sad element too –the flag at half mast, which somehow makes the picture rather poignant. Location: New Orleans, USA

Sunset and Peace

Everyone loves a sunset, don't they? Photographers certainly do, although I think most of us have to admit that they rarely, if ever, can be captured in all their beauty in a photograph –no matter how well a single picture turns out. This is because a sunset is a process,constantly changing, not a single moment. However, this does not stop us from trying! One of the most spectacular sunsets I have seen occured in San Antonio, when the whole sky seemed to flow with glowing beauty, reddening into a magnificent finale. Thousands of birds seemed to be drawn to the spectacle as much as the people, for they (the birds that is) jetted across the sky with great energy, sweeping down to land occasionally on buildings and towers. I managed to capture a mere few of them here, resting on the impressive peace monument presented to San Antonio by Mexico. Like the monument, the evening was rather surreal, and certainly unusual. I was quite pleased with the picture, especially the diagonal streaks of cloud and the two larger birds, standing like sentinels on the top of the light. But of course, in reality it was even grander! Location: San Antonio, Texas

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

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

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

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