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

Polynesian Coast

I had the good fortune some time ago of staying in a hotel in Tahiti that was the former palace of a Polynesian queen. It had a jetty that struck out across crystal clear water filled with colourful fish, and I took this picture from there. I happened to have black and white film in the camera at the time, so you will have to imagine the vibrant colours of the water, sky and vegetation –at least until I can get some of the transparancies I shot scanned. But I rather like the picture nonetheless. The building sticking into the water is really just a big hall, and if you could see inside at this particular moment you would see a wedding taking place -exotic and accompanied by much drumming- but otherwise this is a supremely peaceful place. Location: Tahiti

Windows For Smokers!

I am always looking out for patterns and shapes in things, both intended and unintended –it goes back to a childhood pastime of trying to make out animals in clouds. I love discovering that something looks like something else too, so I was thrilled to snap these windows on a bright sunny day when the blinds are down, reminding me instantly of cigarettes lined up –well, maybe that's just me. I think it makes for an interesting photograph nonetheless. Location: Oslo, Norway

Chimney Pots

Down on the street one doesn't always see the multitude of chimneys that fill the roofs of London. I took this picture from the window of a tiny top-floor room of a hotel in Paddington that I was staying at. Fortunately it was the wrong time of the year for lighting fires, otherwise the amount of smoke would surely have been choking. Location: London, England

Silhouette of a Church

One of the few remaining old buildings in the centre of Birmingham around The Bullring is St. Martin's Church, seen here against a bright morning sun. It's a charming church, nestling close to the market, and the silhouette effect here means one is able to appreciate its fine and rather lovely spire. Such beautiful skies are not an everyday occurence in the usually grey Midlands, so I was grateful to have my camera handy on this particular morning. Location: Birmingham, England

Beached Pill Box

A deserted Norfolk beach on a beautiful winter's evening. The pill box is a remnant of defence fortifications from the Second World War. The coastline has crept up on it over the years, and it has sunk halfway into the sand, but in summer months it is an irresistible source of play for kids –I was one of them once, spending holidays here when I was young. On this occasion I liked the emptiness and the gentle drama of the clouds and waves. Location: Hemsby, England

Beauty of Nature

A simple, calm picture -grass on the edge of a mountain pool, with clouds reflected in the gently rippling surface. Peaceful and beautiful. Sometimes simple is best. Location: Valdres, Norway

Head For Heights Required!

That's probably how the job advertisement for the crane operator on top of this impossibly large building was titled. I mean, come on – there are building and then there are buildings, and this one appears to be growing outwards as it gets higher. I liked the way it soared so far above the other tall buildings below, though admittedly they are some way away. I also liked the plume of smoke in the corner, which breaks the picture up a bit. And though I took this photograph from the top of another tall building close by I would not climb that crane for art, love or money! Location: Warsaw, Poland

Weird Landscape

This is one of the last pictures I took with my first digital camera, when it had become so light sensitive that most every photograph came out over-exposed, despite my attempts to combat this. It had had a good run, and was replaced by a reliable Canon PowerShot A2200, with which many of the pictures I have posted here have been shit with. I will be advancing to other, bigger cameras for careful and more artistic studies, but for mobilty, instant accessibility and convenience I am a strong devotee of small, simple cameras, and I always have one with me wherever I go. But back to this picture: it was one of many that were about to be trashed, due to the over-exposure, but tweaking the image a little in an attempt to salvage it I found it turned into quite a startling image –the two leafless trees give the picture a slightly eerie, post-apocalyptic look, whilst the blues and greens, though almost alien, also look more hopeful! Location: Charleston, South Carolina

World Book Day and Shakespeare's Birthday!

Shakespeare is supposed to have been born on this day in 1564, but he also died on this day in 1616 -just one day after the death of another great writer, Miguel de Cervantes. And World Book Day -if one really needs such a thing, since every day is a book day in my world- happens to be today too. Also it is spring, and the time for clearing up and sorting out; what better day to go through my Shakespeare bookshelf and sort out the many volumes, plays, books of critcism and history there. My aim was to perhaps get rid of some of them, but I just haven't the heart too, so they will all be going back in the shelf later today. Ah well, that's the love of books for you!

Dog!

If anyone has ever tried to photograph a puppy they will know what a frustrating experience it can be –they don't always cooperate with the photographer's intentions, composition or ideas, and though they may be cute, angelic and loveable in "real" life, these qualities are not always easily captured on camera. However, this darling little King Charles spaniel was a born poser –a natural, and the camera seemed to fascinate him as much as he fascinated the camera.

Seaside Resort

A ghostly seaside resort on the east coast of Norfolk –it is well out of season so there is nobody about, yet paradoxically the amusement arcades are open and illuminated. If the picture had sound you would hear the electronic tinkles and jingles of a dozen game machines, adding to the slightly eerie atmosphere. But I am hugely attracted to places out-of-season, so was particularly pleased to capture the effect of the neon lights on the slightly damp street, taken here just after the sun has gone down on a cold December day. Location: Hemsby, England

Waterloo Bridge

To complement the last entry, and my desire to photograph every one of London's many bridges, here is a shot of Waterloo Bridge. It is perhaps one of the plainest bridges to cross the Thames, but with the impressive dome of St. Paul's Cathedral to the left, the modern glass and steel office buildings to the right and the busy water traffic on the Thames below it all seems to say "London", and proudly so too. I took the picture from a bridge further upstream, and once again made sure that an example of that seminal London mode of transport -the red double-decker- was crossing when I took the photograph. That bright colour in the middle really does it for me! Location: London, England

Chelsea Bridge

Another London bridge, perhaps less known or celebrated than some of the others, but a nice, clean structure nonetheless is Chelsea Bridge, which opened in 1937 -the second such bridge at this spot. It's what is known as a self-anchored suspension bridge. Of course I had to get a picture of it just as a double-decker bus was passing over it, the red colour being so much a part of London as the Thames flowing below. The clouds are also gently exciting. Location: London, England

Street of Melting Snow

Winter coming to an end on a steep Quebec street. There are still icicles dripping from the roofs and piles of slush on the side of the road, but the sharp cold of deep winter has gone, and in the distance is the hope of spring, perhaps represented here by the far-off church steeple, which forms a sort of focus point to the whole picture. The street itself is not that special, but it has character and a sort of timeless quality that I quite liked. Loction: Quebec City, Canada

Rear End of Horse in Berlin

The magnificence of the Berlin Dom against a mellow early evening sky. I felt just a picture of the dome itself would look too dull, so I took this from the top steps of the Alte Nationalgalerie (a magnificent building in its own right), just behind the equastrian statue of Fredrick William IV. It gives the photograph two distinct motives, combining to accentuate further the grandness of the Dom, and perhaps God -despite the distance it looms above the mere man. Location: Berlin, Germany

Old Lifeboat Ramp

A deserted beach on the Norfolk coast where I used to spend summer holidays as a child. It's winter, around sunset, and the clouds are colourful. There is a stiff wind, as always, but you can't really see that in the picture. Some of the stone structures are part of fortifications constructed during the Second World War; the rusty iron supports hold up an old wooden lifeboat ramp that leads to nowhere. On the left are sand dunes that I once climbed and explored -now they are closed off and protected from erosion. For me the picture has a bit of mystery about it, yet a benign sort of mystery -and beaches always appeal to me! Location: Hemsby, England

Cats That Look Like Hitler

One of the many bizarre but hilarious websites out there is one called "Cats That Look Like Hitler" (check it out here). Unlike many other websites this one is exactly what it says, plain and simple. I have contributed one picture to this vitally important database, taken while on holiday in Greece, though to the cat's defence I should say he had a very sweet nature. However, I am sure that there would also be more than enough candidates if anyone were ever to start a website called Cats That Behave Like Hitler! Location: Crete, Greece

Holy Water?

I just found the clash of a modern safety device and the beautiful stained-glass window in an alcove of a magnificent mediaeval cathedral too irrestible to ignore. The red fire-hose casing is glaringly ugly, and seems to be frowned upon by the holy figure in the window. I don't blame him one bit! But there's some nice light contrasts going on there with the yellow. Location: Norwich, England

Tram Stop

A tram stop in San Diego. A veteran in a wheelchair one side and a gleaming red tram on the other, almost like racers in a competition. I liked the lines of the tracks and platform, and the parity between the colour of the tram and the colour of the platform structure.Location: San Diego, USA

Striped Roofs

The striped roofs of an English city market seen from above. No spectacular story, I just liked the variety of colours contrasting with the white and stretching out into the distance, the eveness broken up by the string of lights –which should also have been coloured!

Location: Norwich, England

River Bikes and Dolphin Lamp

I adore London's South Bank, and like few things more than to walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster with the Thames flowing beside me. There is so much to see, experience, take in and photograph. Here, Waterloo Bridge stretches generously across the river and parked bicycles seem almost to form part of the ornamentation of the fence. Beside them one of magnificent Victorian "dolphin" lamps that line the whole embankment, and for me encapsualte "London" just as much as red double-deckers, Big Ben and the changing of the guard. It is a little dreadful to see their modern counterparts high above on the bridge -bleak and unimaginative; but down here, the lamp stands majestically and solidly comforting.

Location: London, England

A Question of Lights

I do not drive. But even I did I would not know what to think of this. A question mark on a sign is surely a muddlesome thing, creating confusion and doubt rather than clarity and direction. Well, apart from that I found the traffic lights reminded me of large lego bricks, so perhaps the dilemma here is just how one should go about putting them together!

Location: Halifax, Canada

St. Patrick's Day Joy

Sometimes a photograph doesn't turn out as well as one hopes –it may be out of focus, or badly lit or constructed, yet it nevertheless captures a moment well worth saving –like this snapshot of a joyous elderly lady on a float on St.Patrick's Day. There's something infectious about her total enjoyment of the moment, her laughter seems to spill out and enthuse everyone with life, and I am rather fond of the picture, despite its technical shortcomings.

Location: New Orleans, USA

Lifeguard Tower

I think anyone would instantly know that this picture says "Florida" -the colours and style of bright lifeguard towers on sandy beaches seem so typical a feature of that state..., well, it could be somewhere else, but it's not, and I for one amd very fond of these colourful little structures -as, I am sure, anyone who has had need of rescue is too!

Location: Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Resting Ties

Lots of glorious, vivid colour and a mixture of styles and textures in this jumble of dormant ties, each a little work of art on its own, and seldom appreciated enough in bunches.

The Guided Walk

Fort Sumnter –the site of the first shots of the American Civil War, and now a National Park site, accessible only by boat, but a popular day-trip destination for visitors to Charleston. Here a group of visitors listens to a park ranger telling the story of the fort. All but two are paying close attention (maybe you can spot them). I like the wide mix of bright colours, and the myriad ways people are standing as they listen, and how clear it is just who is in charge here.

Location: Charleston, SC

Tangle!

I get terribly frustrated by the tangling of a couple of headphone wires, but heaven help any telephone engineer who is called out to fix a problem at this spaghetti-like intersection -so thick that it almost obliterates the sky.

Location: Bucharest, Romania

The Face of a Cabin

I find I frequently see faces in things, buildings, patterns etc. and this little cabin in the Norwegian mountains has all the facial features one could want. I particularly like the way the light in the little windows makes the "eyes" come alive, and the way the step creates the mouth. It's quite a benign, sagacious face too, almost like a dozy cat!

Location: Valdres, Norway