Hearts for Valentine's Day

In the grounds of Oslo Cathedral there is a large heart on a pole. I believe it appeared after the terrible terrorist tragedy that befell Norway in July 2011. At that time the space around the cathedral was turned into an ever-growing field of flowers, placed there by people in condolence. The heart stood above all these flowers, expressing perhaps a shared need for love. The flowers are gone now, but the heart remains, and has itself become something of a landmark in Oslo –embracing an even wider message than its original intention. And today, on St. Valentine's, it seemed appropriate to post it here. The original photograph in vibrant colour seemed very autumnal, so I played about a bit with the image and created the black and white version, but with the heart standing out in red. But it seemed rather lonely, so I joined the two images, and thus we have two pictures, two hearts, but one united image. I hope on this day your own true heart cherishes, and is cherished, in a similar way. Location: Oslo, Norway

Mime Critic?

You don't often see street mimes these days –at least not compared to the past when they seemed to be on every street in Europe. Now you're more likely to see human statues or jugglers. Perhaps mime moved elsewhere? Or just went out of fashion? Or perhaps it was looks like the one on the face of the man walking past this white-faced entertainer that sent them scurrying. I was delighted to capture the line of communication between the mime and the elderly man -their look and the body language. The mime seems to be beckoning him, perhaps to take part in his act, but the man is having none of it and I love the suspicious look on his face.There's really a double performance going on here. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the old man didn't cast any money into the pot on the bag as he passed! Location: Amsterdam, Holland

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

More Fog Lifting!

Well, technically not fog this time, but mist. Here it is lifting peacefully from the water of a mountain lake on one of those incredibly still, quiet mornings that I think only can be experienced in the Norwegian countryside. Once again the sepia version seems to capture the atmosphere and beauty of the moment best. I was indeed fortunate to have this as my bedroom view last summer. Now, in the midst of winter, the lake is frozen over and deep snow covers the entire landscape –beautiful in a different way. I like here the relationship of the two young trees, standing a little apart like shy sweethearts at a dance, with the whole symphony of nature's beauty warming up behind them. The reflections and the various pools of light are pleasing too. Location, Valdres, Norway

Fog Lifting

I took this picture in December on a visit to the little village in Norfolk where I was born. This is the view from the back of the village church. It was around ten in the morning and a thick, low fog had been lingering over the countryside, giving it a mysterious but rather romantic look. The sun was, however, itching to break through, so there was plenty of soft light above the fog and I was eager to get some pictures before "normal" conditions resumed. I was quite pleased with this one as one can almost feel the fog lifting, revealing little by little further layers of trees and hedges, and with the ever-brighter sun almost bursting through. There is movement and serenity. The trees and the contrast with the fog came out particularly well in sepia, and reinforced the whimsical and dream-like state I felt I was in by returning to my birthplace, just a few hundred yards from this spot. Location: Swanton Morley, England

The Small Print!

This just made me smile a bit –obviously it's not a brilliantly beautiful picture, but taking snapshots of amusing things is also part of the joy of photography. It's also very down-to-earth, which I particularly like as I quickly get frustrated with vast menus with tiny writing and a strange, dandified language that bears little resemblance to anything used in normal life. The huge writing that fills each page is daringly charming, as are the inevitable mistakes that one finds in almost any translated menu. I was hungry, so it was an easy choice –and the food was of course delicious -and I didn't need reading glasses to order the meal! Location: Corfu, Greece

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

Winter in the Park

Another photograph from my local park, which also happens to be one of Norway's most visited attractions. On hot summer days people flock here for sunbathing and picnics, or to swim in the nearby pools. But even in winter there is a steady stream of visitors from all around the world, most of them keen to see the dozens of statues that line the park's central avenue and the unique monument known as the monolith that depicts the struggle for life, made up of figures of men and women clambering upwards. The park is a delight at any time of the year, and the perfect place for a Sunday walk. It must also be Norway's most photographed place, and I am guilty of having taken many, many pictures there over the years. One more cannot hurt! On this particular afternoon the light was rather wistful, with light snow wafting in the air, until it turned to heavy snow shortly after. The few spots of bright colour somehow draw us into the picture and I love the multitude of relationships that can be envisgaed in the way the various people are walking or standing. And amusingly roles are reversed since here it is the statues who are doing the observing, nakedly looking down on the warmly dressed visitors. Location: Oslo, Norway

Fishing

This is my personal favourite of all the photographs I took last year –a little more than a month ago now, in December. I was visiting Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast one Sunday, and found the light to be incredibly evocative and beautiful. There was a fresh breeze and lots of spirit in the water and as it was rather cold there weren't many people on the beach; most people preferred the promenade above or the warmth of cafés. The pier was closed, otherwise fishing would probably have been done from there, but fortunately for me the two people with their rod made a perfect human motif to the otherwise barren composition. I loved the variety of lines –horizontal, vertical and diagonal, and was particularly pleased to capture the crash of the wave opposite the two figures, and the hopeful stance they have adopted. No matter how much one plans, sometimes one is especially lucky in that everything comes together right for a photograph. This is one of those happy occasions. Location: Lowestoft, England

Ivy Window

It's been a particularly dull and grey day today, and though I have been out photographing snow scenes all afternoon I didn't feel particularly up to posting anything to do with winter tonight; rather I had a need for colour and the cozy glow of warm interiors. Well, I think this picture is rather bright and cheeful, and certainly cozy. It's a window of my favourite restaurant in London, The Ivy –a legendary place that seeps with theatre history and chic glamour. It's exclusive and admittedly quite expensive, so I only dine there when I am feeling particularly rich or have been invited, but in terms of food, service and elegant panache it's the tops. I took this picture on one of those occasions when I couldn't afford to go in, but could only gaze at or through the frosted windows, with their coloured glass diamonds. The lights and coziness beyond beckon, but are hazy, and the window is as much a barrier as a tempting invitation. Soon I shall step inside once more! Location: London, England

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

Oslo Quayside

It's a bitingly cold day, but the sky is deliciously blue and the air clean and brittle. Snow has fallen, but the fjord has not had the chance to freeze even a little, so the water looks almost enticing. At the quayside Norway's royal yacht "Norge" is moored and mostly covered up for the winter, but its flag is flying. As the short day starts to dip towards evening the pale sunlight shines through the gently unfolding red, white and blue flag. I always think the Norwegian flag looks most beautiful in wintertime, and I was particularly pleased with this shot as it seems to capture an essentially Norwegian spirit. I did hope the flag would fully unfurl, and waited a long time to see whether it (and the breeze) would oblige. They didn't, but then one can't have everything! Location: Oslo, Norway

Out of Season Pier

The end of pier show is a very British summer tradition, attracting holidaymakers to an evening's light entertainment that can often be a very mixed bag. Variety is the key word, and comedy is key. Out of season, both piers and the seaside towns themselves are unsurprisngly empty, but I am very much attracted to them at such times as they are wonderful backdrops for photographs. I am in the process of working my way around the British Isles to visit many of these seaside towns, always out of season, –though I have no rush whatsoever and expect it will take me many years as I usually only manage one or two such places a year. One favourite such seaside town is Great Yarmouth on the Norfolk coast. It has lost some of its former sheen and edge, but still has plenty to delight. Here is the entrance to the Britannia Pier which stretches out behind this colourful facade promoting coming attractions. I liked the brightness of the orange –a very "summery" colour against the moody winter clouds and the clean sharp lines. And I also liked the emptiness –this is a square that cries out for people, but there is no one about.. Location: Great Yarmouth, England

Puppets

I had a dream about puppets last night. I find them a little scary, even when awake, but then I have a vivid imagination as am sure they have lives of their own! The odd thing is that it is not puppets in performance that I find, well.. disturbing; it's only when they are stationary, "resting", waiting... Fortunately I do not have too much to do with them, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. This is certainly the case in Prague where puppets used to be as prevalent as people. They were frequently used in satirical performances of a political nature as they could somehow push the boundaries of what was acceptable far more than real actors. Somehow they could get away with it. Indeed, political puppetry became an art form, filled with double meanings, jabs at authority and parallels to specific events and developments, before the iron curtain was lifted on a completely new political landscape. After that puppets lost some of their edge, becoming once again toys, playthings and souvenirs. However, I would like to think that they are still occasionally employed in satirical performances. Here, beautifully crafted and brightly coloured puppets –or marionettes– hang nonchalantly waiting for fresh employment. Nice, but still somehow a little scary. Are they perhaps listening in on the two women's conversation...? Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Snow and Sun

At last it has snowed in Oslo and "everyone" is beaming. Beaming because things are finally as they should be at this time of the year. There had been surprised whispers that no snow had appeared for Christmas, and even more vociferous wonder and even alarm at the extremely mild temperatures since then. Some have naturally been pleased that there has been no snow –there are always a few non-conformists- but, for most, something has been missing in these past dark, dull few weeks. This weekend however the darkness has been transformed into a bright and gleaming winter wonderland. the temperatures have dropped severely, and people seem delighted and have been out in their droves today! Snow lightens the night sky, flings a blanket of crisp freshness over damp lawns and parks, and when the sun shines in a clear blue sky, like today, there are few things more invigorating. We worship the sun, but here in Norway we worship the snow too! This sculpture in Oslo's famous Vigeland Park seems to express both. Location: Oslo, Norway

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

Aftermath of Rain II

With all the rain that has fallen on parts of Europe recently it is easy to think that it will never end. But it will, and despite all the woe that water can cause there can be something beautiful too -the air is always clean after rain, and there is a freshness in smell and feeling that is quite revitalising –even in a city. Here is a picture I took in London last year on a day that went from heavy showers to blue sky within a remarkably short space of time (but such is English weather). I loved the wet sparkle of the flagstones outside the National Gallery and the reflection of the blue sky in the puddles -it was as if the whole of Trafalgar Square had been scrubbed and polished, and I found it all rather beautiful –as I usually do when it stops raining! Location: London, England

Love Locks

I'm sure they can be found in other cities, and in other countries too, but I was particularly drawn to the number of padlocks that decorated several bridges in Berlin. They symbolize the joining of two people together in a romantic courtship ritual -locking each other's hearts together. Bridges are invariably romantic anyway, or can be, and it is uplifting to see so many pledges of love fastened to their railings and decorative ironwork. From a distance they look like colourful decorations on a tree, but close up you can see that each is a personal token of two people coming together –some even have the names of the betrothed and the date on which their love was pledged. I imagine that each of them keeps a key, though I was amused to see that some practical couple opted for a combination code lock instead -after all, what happens if one of them should lose the key...?

Location: Berlin, Germany

Aftermath of Rain

The start of the new year has seen some crazy weather both here in Europe where storms, rain and unusually mild temperatures have bereft Christmas of any traditional snow-decked coziness, and on the eastern coast of the United States where winter seems to have gone mad. It was a bit like this before Christmas too when I was travelling in England –there too it was the eastern coast that suffered worst, with cliffs crumbling, high winds, extreme tides and lots and lots of rain. I visited some of the places affected afterwards, and though the fishing town of Lowestoft was not the worst casualty it was very clear to see the effect of all the adverse weather. Strangely, perhaps, there was a kind of tranquility in the aftermath, and certainly a spirit of "we will not be beaten". There was also something rather beautiful about the pools of water that formed small lakes in places that usually are dry, such as here on part of the harbour quayside. The skies were still moody with clouds, but a pale sun struggled its way through them to demonstrate that after every storm there is calm, and hope. Location: Lowestoft, England

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