Window Cleaning

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

West End in the Rain

I've a thing about London in the rain, and looking back on photographs I have taken there I realise that so many of them have been taken under wet conditions that one could be forgiven for thinking that it always rains in London – but that, of course, is not true, and one day I promise to prove it by sharing some pictures taken while it's sunny. But in the meantime here's another one in the rain! There's something about reflections in puddles and on shiny pavements that awakes a sort of romanticism as well as creating interesting textures and pattens of fractured colour and light. Here we are in the heart of theatre-land, alongside the Noël Coward Theatre, which used to be the Albery Theatre, and before that the New Theatre. It is an area seeping qwith theatrical history and it is one of my favourite areas of London; the absence of cars here makes it doubly interesting, and at the end of the lane is a favourite actor's pub –The Salisbury, and across the road, on the corner of the lane leading to Covent Garden, is another: The Angel & Crown, both nearing closing time as the clock says 11, but there may still be time for one quick drink if you hurry... Location: London, England

A View Over Oslo

I often like to -as it were– "frame" photographs within themselves. A view from a window may be interesting, spectacular, stunning or grand, but sometimes a more interesting effect is created by stepping back a little and including the window itself. Admittedly, here there is no actual window, for this is a glassless opening in the side of one of the towers of Oslo's City hall, but effect is similar. We are inside a cool, dark space looking out on a glowing, warm city, bathed in evening sun. It's perhaps not a particularly outstanding view in itself (most views of Oslo will typically face the other way, towards the west, or out across the fjord) but we're high above the streets and can see out in to the suburbs of the hills in the distance. For me, the dark frame represents the winter that has finally disappeared, opening out onto warmer days of spring and summer –which have been most appreciatively enjoyed over the last few days. And it's always fun and intriguing to be able to look down through other people's windows, even though they're far away. Location: Oslo, Norway

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

Little People Amassed

Here's a rather fun piece of urban art from central Oslo that many people probably pass by on a daily basis without really realising what they're missing, because you have to get down to ground level to fully appreciate the wit and intricacy of this splendid installation. From above you don't really see the details or individuality of these tiny people, just a mass of odd-looking protrusions in the pavement that may be mistaken for plants, or a special kind of slab or a drainage system. I always stop when I pass this spot and am constantly intrigued by the slightly anarchic nature of the sculpture. And contrary to what one may think it is certainly robust -you can even walk over it without injuring or damaging the figures, for they are packed so densely together that they form almost a single entity, just like a real crowd does. There are echoes of the famous Chinese terra cotta warriors, and of "united we stand" workers (the people seem from this angle to be carrying the paving slabs, but the piece seems less political than quirky The "real" person walking past in the background puts the figures into some sort of perspective but it's difficult to see their true size here because I deliberately wanted them to appear bigger and consequently photographed the installation from ground level. Each of the figures is in fact perhaps two or three inches high. I like to think of them coming alive when nobody is around, but that's just me! Location: Oslo, Norway

Platform Scene

Train stations never cease to fascinate me and of all places to photograph, they are probably my favourite, for there is almost always something of interest going on, and even if there is not the stations themselves lend themselves to inspiring our imagination with their combination of history, functionality and sense of adventure, discovery and romance. As a photographer (and sometimes as a traveller), a quiet station is as magical as a busy one is invigorating, especially, I find, those with glass roofs. When the sun shines through the often dusty or grimy panes of many of these stations the patterns cast onto the platforms below such as here create a sort of spider's web look. This can sometimes be dramatic and even chilling, but here the muted effect is benign, and this is enhanced by the "friendliness" of the yellow truck. This contrasts pleasantly with the red vending machine behind it and the distant figures between show that the station isn't completely empty. Also, the doors to the train are still open, enticing us in... All aboard, please! Location: Brighton, England

Beneath Westminster Bridge

The terrible events of last week that brought terror to the very heart of London shocked and upset me enormously, as I am sure they did many others. Sadly, similar occurrences and far worse take place all over the world on occasion, and seemingly more so these days tan before, but it is always particularly hard when the place that is struck is close to one's heart. London is my favourite city, its streets are my cherished haunts, and as an inveterate walker I feel I know every corner and feel a personal bond with the history and culture inherent in every cobblestone –which is perhaps odd as I have never lived in London, merely returned to it again and again like an old friend; and it never disappoints. But it hurts when bad things occur there. When these things occur in places my own footsteps have crossed it hurts even more. Westminster Bridge is one such place.I photographed it from many angles a couple of years ago, but this shot taken from below is my favourite because it shows the two "states" of any bridge –that of the world above and that of the world below. The graceful sweep of one of its archways is at the same time impressive and friendly, it doesn't swell over and dominate you completely like many other bridges. Above,on the pavement, people walk by; some look over the side, others are occupied with their telephone. I imagine the scene was much like this before the crazed motorist screeched onto the pavement and mowed down innocent pedestrians last week. Though the bridge itself remains essentially the same, the scars from last week's events will sadly give it a new kind of significance every time I am close to it. Like so many other places. Location: London, England

People in the Park

To contrast a little the last post, here is a different park, in another country, in a different season and with people as its main subject this time rather than trees (though the observant visitor will notice a number of these too!). The point is really that contrasting two images, however slightly related, often works as a rewarding form of presentation, an interesting access point to seeing and appreciating similarities and difference, yet with a common foundation –in this case the concept of "the park" and what that means for different people. Here we have a warm summer afternoon, evening really, but the sun is still up, and you can almost feel the pleasant lazy warmth and smell the grass. Everyone is in their own little blissful world, some dozing, some having a picnic, others reading, greeting a friend, sharing a special moment. They are dotted about like little islands in an ocean of greenn; there is a communal atmosphere but privacy is respected and cherished. The elegant building in the background and the neatly trimmed bushes and beds give a sense of peace and order to the scene, but not too much; the mood is mellow and summer is glorious... ahhhh, may it come again soon. Location: Vienna, Austria

Trees in the Park

Trees always inspire me. I love their quiet, silent wisdom and grace, their noble quality of being able to shade us, embrace us, draw us in and somehow comfort us. Some trees are like old friends –always there for you, always reliable and, each year growing a little in your estimation as well as physically. I find this especially true of trees in isolation. But trees in parks, standing in some kind of order, can also be appealing, as much so in the winter when bereft of their foliage as in the height of glorious summer. Here they stand gracefully silhouetted against the sky, with the blazing sun signalling that spring is on its way. Already, there will be buds on these trees and the snow will soon be gone. Location: Oslo, Norway

Through the Clouds

I really don't know how many times I have taken pictures from airplane windows, mesmerised by the magnificent, awe-inspiring view below, uplifted at having captured something stunningly magical, only to discover later that the pictures far from being wondrous are flat, dull and frequently blurred because of focus problems through the double windows of the plane. Yet, even knowing this this, I still can't help myself when confronted with a nice view from the air. And sometimes the result captures something of the magic. What it never captures is the continuously changing vista as the plane moves forward, for that only video or film would work; photographs can only ever capture moments. Here, the moment is the enthralling parting of the clouds to reveal a fairy-tale-like landscape over south-eastern Norway, dusted with light snow, just as the sun is preparing to set. It's above a landscape like this that one can imagine oneself flying Peter Pan-like on some epic fantasy flight. My only regret was that I was not in the cockpit, for surely the pilots must have had an even greater view of this magical vista. Location: Ostfold,Norway

Telephone Box Line-up

Telephone boxes are rapidly becoming obsolete in many parts of the world now that almost everyone seems to have a mobile telephone. In many cases they seem to have more of a nostalgic than a practical value, and none so than the iconic British red telephone box, no less than five of which are pictured here. Coming across so many boxes in one place was a bit of a photographer's treat, for things in groups are often more interesting subjects that single examples. There is something essentially British about these gorgeous constructions, with their comforting solidity and bright colour. London has been particularly good about retaining large numbers of its telephone boxes, realising no doubt their value as visitor attractions –as recognisable as double-decker buses and Buckingham Palace. It's been a long time since I myself used one of these boxes, but I have photographed them a great deal over the years. Attempts at modernising the exteriors by creating one large window on either side failed miserably; there's something special about all those little panes that gives an illusion of privacy yet still allows those inside to see out and, back in the day, those impatiently queuing outside to glare in! There are no queues here now, only a pigeon debating whether to make a call... Location: London, England

Waterfront at Sunset

I'm kind of weak on sunsets, but I've never really found it sufficiently rewarding to photograph the sun itself; the resulting image never seems to capture the breathtaking magnificence of the process, which has to be experienced to be fully absorbed. And it's more the effect of the sun on other things that proves to be of interest –be that clouds, water, mountains or buildings. And I'm in a bit of a "sunset phase" at the moment. Here there are few clouds and no mountains, but there are pale buildings rendered gold, and calm water to reflect the colours. It's no wonder this time is called "the golden hour", so beloved of photographers and film-makers. The mood is mellow, peaceful, alluring. Everything is clean and tidy because this is a german town. I love the colours here -the browns and golden tones, the muted bright greens and the little specks of red. Ideally, the cyclist should have been midway, closer to the tree in the centre, but he sped by too quickly! Nonetheless, I think the picture captures something of the soft magic of a warm evening at sunset. Location: Lübeck, Germany

Fishing Boats at Sunset

Though my last post was contemporary and winter is still very much upon us, I feel this is also a time to look back on pictures of warmer days, and in a sense re-live golden moments of sunshine. Sunset is, of course, a golden time for pictures anywhere, but perhaps especially so when there is water nearby or there are interesting textures and surfaces to reflect the light. Here, I was especially attracted to the soft light hitting the side of the boats and the way the boats themselves were perched on the beach -itself somewhat unusual, although not along this stretch of the south coast of England where there are few places for the boats to moor, and so they are winched up onto the pebbled beach upon returning from fishing in the morning. All day they sit stranded, perhaps wistfully wishing to be back in the water again where they belong... I love the quiet loneliness of the moment; there are no people about now, no noisy seagulls, just the gentle sound of the waves hitting the shore. A glorious, golden moment of summer. Location: Hastings, England

Snow in the Hood

Many people believe that Norway is a country that is always covered with snow. This may be true of certain parts of it, but it is certainly not the case in Oslo, and especially not this winter. It has been mild and grey and dull most of the time, and though some grumble that it's "not like it used to be" others have rejoiced over being able to walk to the shops without having to dress as for an Arctic expedition. I myself am in two minds about snow. I think it's marvellous when it's falling and when it's fresh and brightens up the otherwise dark days of winter, and of course I like the photographic opportunities it affords. But when you have to wade through slushy streets, or traverse slippery pavements where old snow has frozen over, then I curse and growl and long for nothing but the warmth of summer. This weekend, Oslo did have snow, and for a short time it looked as if "king winter" had really arrived. Yet, as I write now, just a couple of days later, there is nothing left of it, and we are back to the dull grey dampness of the past weeks. Here's a shot from my "hood" - the streets of Briskeby in Oslo. This area originally comprised mostly of wooden houses similar to the one seen on the left here; it is one of only a few that now are left. In the 1890s, as Oslo expanded, larger brick buildings were constructed like the one on the corner. A bakery once used to occupy the building behind, as can be seen from the chimney stack. Later still more modern buildings were constructed, making this area close to the centre of Oslo a quirky, pleasant jumble of old and new. And it looks particularly quaint with the snow ... in a way it's a pity that it's all gone. Location: Oslo, Norway

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

Another Lane with a Twist

This is a recent photograph that I am particularly proud of, for it not only captures exactly the mood and atmosphere of a particular place at a particular moment, but I found all the elements of light, composition and theme came together to create an image that is both pleasing, interesting and a little enigmatic. I took it early on a slightly misty morning in the small Norfolk town where I grew up. As a child, I passed up and down this lane hundreds of times, and always felt at this particular spot that I was in a kind of tunnel due to the overhanging trees. Perhaps there were more trees back then, and the houses in the background were certainly not there. Even earlier, a train line crossed where the metal fence now stands, but this was ripped up long ago. Now, all is quiet. What I really like about the shot is the bend in the path, the little twist. It makes the lane so much more interesting -just as life itself sometimes brings along little twists that need to be negotiated. Our path is seldom straight, but it keeps on going. I also like the textures of the various fences and the general "greenness" of the image. In spring and summer this lane will be lush and verdant, but on this particular (English) winter's day it has a special hue of its own. Location: Dereham, England

Favourite Picture of the Year

Once again, it's time to post my favourite picture of the last year. And once again, it's a picture of a cat! Now, there is no feline nepotism going on here, for this year I have also photographed dogs and many other animals, plus people, buildings, sunsets, trees, views, boats, and a thousand other things; yet sifting through all the pictures I have taken, I somehow always come back to this one from late summer - of the cat I was babysitter to (or was it the other way round !?). Villem. His look is one of superior reproach, saying (patiently but firmly): "No, you're not going to use the computer now, nor look at those books, not while I'm here; you can just forget about anything else and pay attention to me, do you understand?" I love the way he fills the frame, blocking the view of those other things in my life that clearly are of less importance. He was only with me for a short time, left so much of a mark that my flat seemed empty for weeks afterwards. The photograph makes me smile every time I see it. Happy New Year to you all, cats and humans! Location: Oslo, Norway

Summer Longing

With Christmas all but over, and yet the winter barely begun, we are about to enter what I find the darkest time of the year - the long, (usually) cold month of January. At this time, I find myself often turning to thoughts and dreams of summer -both those of the past and those to come, and somehow just thinking of sunshine, beaches, warm seas and lazy evenings helps to get through weeks where, if I could, I would preferably hibernate. But, if awake we must be, it's a great time to go through all those summer photographs. Here's one that exemplifies for me a peaceful summer idyll: a perfectly quiet café by a calm blue sea, with chairs that are calling out "come on over, sit down, relax..." I like the cleanness of the image, the feeling of space, and the warm colours, with all the white surfaces reaching out to match the true pale yellows. I also like the tree a lot. Now, excuse me, while I go and sit down, I have a large, cool beer waiting over there... Location: Corfu, Greece

Merry Christmas !

A couple of years ago, close to Christmas, the famous statue of Eros on Piccadilly Circus was encased in this magical transparent globe, which, at regular intervals dispersed "snow" like one of those fascinating table-top trinkets that used to be so popular (perhaps they still are, somewhere?). Now this effect was both delightful and seasonal, and proved to be very popular with tourists and anyone else who passed by; it was an iconic landmark given a cheerful little makeover to mark the season of goodwill in a city that doesn't experience snow all that often. What it does experience, however, is wind, and hereby hangs a tale. For, shortly after this picture was taken, this globe was no more. A very troublesome little storm brewed in the West End, and a vicious gust of wind ripped a tear in the fabric of the globe, thus causing it to collapse like a deflated balloon. But not, however, before the thousands of plastic snowflakes swirling inside had been dispersed gleefully over much of Piccadilly Circus, and got into all sorts of places for days afterwards. But perhaps such is Christmas itself -a bubble that is there for a short time only; beautiful while it lasts but gone all too quickly. May I wish you a Happy Christmas, free of strife, worry and bursting globes. Location: London, England

View of a City

I shall shortly be traveling to one of my favourite cities – that grand metropolis, dear old London. And, as always, I am looking forward to it immensely as its fascination is endless, and I never tire of it. And I tend to use my camera a lot there, for there is something of interest at every corner, and every cobblestone seems to exude masses of history. And it's a modern city too, of course, with a skyline that changes a little every time I get up high to observe what's new. One of the best views of London (and the City of London as opposed to the City of Westminster) is from St.Paul's Cathedral where this picture was taken, here looking up the Thames toward Westminster. Unlike some of the other popular high-up observation spots in London, here you are actually outside, on a rather narrow balcony that encircles the tower on the top of the famous dome. You're exposed to the wind and cold, and it's a long climb up inside the dome to get there, but what a thrill when you step out and see the magnificent city sprawled all around you, the majesty of the cathedral itself directly below, and the busy silver river beside you. Breathtaking. And no single picture really does it justice; you have to be up there to experience it for real. However,this didn't stop me from shooting away like mad in all directions as I recognised landmarks and buildings and saw the busy city going about its business. For though you are high up, you are still essentially part of the city, and its sounds waft up towards you; so the experience is much more visceral and immediate than for instance seeing a city from a plane window, or an enclosed observation deck. And when you get back down on the ground again, you will always look up at St. Paul's with greater familiarity, proudly saying to yourself every time you see it "I've been up there!" Location: London, England

Simply a Police Box, or possibly...?

First, I must apologise for not having posted anything here for a few months - massive technical problems, travel, illness in the family and simply not having enough time have sadly kept me away from my computer and blogging activities. However, all issues have now been happily resolved, and not only have I replaced my temperamental computer with a sassy new Mac, but I have invested in a brand new camera (my first DSLR) and some lenses, and look forward to sharing some great new photographs taken with it once I get to know it a little better. However, I have as always by my side my trusty small camera (a Canon Ixus 135 if you're interested), and though I have not been blogging of late, I certainly have been taking pictures. Lots of them! Here's one I took in Glasgow a few weeks ago, posted in celebration of my favourite television programme which celebrated its 53rd birthday today (if you can't guess what it is then just enjoy the iconic solidness of the Police Box!). It was a chilly evening, people were scurrying home after work, and only I seemed to be captivated by the bright blue box - my imagination was already working overtime, hoping that it would transport me somewhere across the universe... What I particularly liked was the way the Police Box stands so unapologetically in the middle of a pedestrianised thoroughfare; seemingly unobtrusive and captivating at the same time. The glare from the lights behind give it that magical edge, and I was particularly happy with the way the blue, red, green and yellow colours layer the image. The lack of sharpness is due to my old camera's reluctance to do pictures at night and my own hands probably trembling a little when faced with a TARDIS! Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Bicycle Time

I thought a picture of a bicycle would be appropriate seeing as this year's Tour de France is just about to begin. Of course, this particular bicycle has nothing to do with the race (other than that the yellow wheels may presume to desire a yellow-jerseyed rider), and this is Denmark not France. But I liked the colours, the casual way the bike is parked against the wall, and the potential for adventure it holds... Who wouldn't want to jump on and take a ride. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Coloured Bowls

I am a sucker for anything colourful and circular (was I in a former life mesmerized by shiny beads?) so it was inevitable that these bowls caught my attention when I came across them at a local flea market. They seem to evoke opened pots of paint, or perhaps planets; they are certainly inviting, and their brightness has an irrepressively uplifting effect, at least on me! Location: Oslo, Norway

Street Library

Being a book fanatic, I wish there was a little library like this on every street in every town in every country –a place where books can be left and picked up at random and you never know what you may find. Happily, there are more and more of these joyful communal repositories popping up, some in parks, or old telephone kiosks. I even saw one at a tram stop a couple of weeks ago. Hotels, guesthouses, hospitals and cafés have had them for ages, but wouldn’t it be great if airports or train stations had such pocket libraries scattered about. They won’t of course, because there’s no profit to be made from it and they’d prefer to have you spending money than quenching your thirst for literature, be it romantic, educational or enlightening. Here, I liked the fact that someone has stopped to peruse the books even though it’s raining. I felt an immediate sense of identity of solidarity –that person could be me! And often when we take pictures we are actually taking pictures of ourselves –not selfie-style, but expressed through what appeals and reaches out to us. Keep reading folks, and support these schemes by leaving a book or two when you come across such places. Location: Heidelberg, Germany.

Through the Wardrobe

One of my favourite childhood books was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and the whole series of Narnia tales. Being one of the first novels I ever read, it made a huge impression on me, and I still return to it quite regularly and find myself magically enchanted by the same sense of wonder and delight that first got me "hooked". Who of those who have read these books has not on some occasion opened their wardrobe and longed to find a different world behind the coats? And dreamed of being beckoned by a shining lamppost, oddly located in the middle of a wood? The lamppost in the book seemed so ordinary, yet also so bizarre –out of place, yet strangely seductive and comforting. The moment I saw this lamp while out walking in the Malvern Hills recently I cried "Narnia!", and it was only later I learned that it is indeed here C.S. Lewis got the idea for the lamppost in his books. These lampposts were set out decades ago as a source of illumination, to aid people taking their daily constitutional in dim light. They seem somehow out of place –like they should rather belong in a city street– and yet at the same time they seem perfectly in place! Such an anomaly is truly in the spirit of Narnia. Of course, the picture should have been taken in the dark and with snow on the ground, and ideally there should be a Mr. Tumnus lurking about in the trees, or perhaps a witch? Who knows; perhaps they are there in the shadows... Location: Malvern, England

Duelling Benches

Winter is coming to an end, even in Norway, and what little snow may have been left when this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago is now surely gone, for spring is in the air and the park will soon be teeming with life and filled with colour. My crazy imagination saw these benches as some street furniture kind of ”Jets” and ”Sharks” having a ”stand off” (or perhaps that should be a bench off?) to determine who’s going to be top bench in the park this summer. I liked the colours and the space between the benches, and the symmetry they form –a symmetry of different styles, and with the lamppost as a form of referee Perhaps the two types of bench attract different types of ”sitters”? I must make sure to check once the weather brings out the crowds. Location: Oslo, Norway

The Lane

Lanes are always somehow quite fascinating things, above the level of being a means of getting from A to B. They are places for thought, pondering, conversation (if one has company) and have a much closer, comforting environment than a mere pavement. A lane may take you somewhere, or away from somewhere on more than a physical level. This is a lane I used a lot in my childhood, and visiting it again recently for the first time in ages I was delighted to see that it hadn’t changed one bit. The trees are no doubt bigger, but they didn’t seem to be, because when I last saw them I too was smaller. The flint wall is typical of East Anglia, and I was struck by the way the afternoon light reflected on its uneven surface. Indeed, it was the light that made me want to capture this image. There had been heavy, heavy rain earlier, but the clouds were swept away by a strong Norfolk wind, and the air had a freshness that was uplifting and resolute. I made the tree the centre of the picture rather than the more traditional approach of shooting down the centre of the lane; this allowed me to capture the slight bend in the distance, which is at once both optimistic and renewing. Location: East Dereham, England

Bench in Greece

This is another one I took last autumn while on the island of Samos. Just an ordinary row of benches down by the small harbour. But I liked the unusual colour, and found it quite a nice parallel to the water alongside. The lights in the water also make a nice contrast. Often these benches are used by romantic couples at this time, but here they are empty, waiting... Location: Samos, Greece

Happy Bin!

I pass this rubbish bin almost every day, because it’s just down the street from where I live, and it always makes me smile! I don’t know whether it was the result of some campaign to humanize the lowly bins of Oslo by putting eyes on some of them, or whether it was just someone having a bit of fun, but the gaping mouth of this creature is always hungry for trash, and it seems positively delighted! It proves that street furniture does not have to be boring, and I wish there were more things like this around us to brighten up our days a little –it doesn’t take much! Location: Oslo, Norway

Sunset On My Street

Norway is well known as "the land of the midnight sun", and long summer days that somehow never end but merely mellow into warm, golden evenings are certainly one of the country's greatest attractions; but it is not only in summer that the sun creates beautiful effects in the sky. These past few weeks have seen some fabulous winter sunsets –perhaps nature's consolation for not providing Oslo with as much snow as some people would like. I took this shot just as I was returning home one afternoon recently. It's the street I live in, so I know it very well –a perfectly ordinary, humdrum street– but I was struck by how it was transformed into something quite magical and magnificent as the sun came down. Location: Oslo, Norway

Irresistible Sign

I came across this sign in the window of a cliff-top café overlooking the English Channel at the end of a long, bracing walk on the South coast. There was something very compelling about its message and the nostalgic gentleness of its fading paint. I remember such cups from my childhood, and cakes -well; how can one ever say no to that! I fancy the sign had been here for a long time, which added to its charm. Above all I love its Englishness. And of course, I indulged! Location: Hastings, England

Le Chateau Frontenac at Night

Although quite mild as I write the start of this year has seen some very cold weather, with temperatures dipping far below most people's comfort level. Wrapping up in many layers to stay warm is called for as such times, but as I do so I comfort myself with the thought that the temperature does not quite come close to the coldest I have ever felt, and that was in Canada a couple of years ago. Visiting the fine city of Quebec in February was probably not the best idea, but that winter was particularly icy, casting a chilled veil over the entire city and made even colder by a cutting wind that turned one's blood to ice –or so it felt. On my first evening there I took my camera out to take some pictures, but taking my gloves off to operate it turned out to be a very bad idea so I gave up fairly quickly. But not before taking some shots of the fabulous Chateau Frontenac hotel that looms high in the old city. I took many more pictures the day after when it was a little milder –clearer and brighter photographs, but this one for me captures the winter moment perfectly. I headed inside here afterwards, to soak in the Chateau's warmth –as magnificent as the building itself. Hope you too stay warm, folks! Location: Quebec, Canada

Fire Hydrant

When I was a child and had just arrived in Norway from England, I used to go for walks of discovery close to where our we first stayed. As I was young and in a new country, everything was an adventure, and even the most mundane things took on an exotic hue simply because they looked different to what I had known before. Once I came across an old fire-hydrant that very oddly was placed in the middle of a lawn, almost as if had grown there like some metal toadstool. I remembered it as being colourful too, and rather handsomely designed. This was 35 years ago. A short while ago, being in the vicinity of where I had stayed then, sheer curiosity led me to follow the old path from my childhood to see if it was still there –and to my delight, it was! Very little had changed in the area; there were still the same old farm buildings and greenhouses, and the landscape was just as I remembered it. The paint on the fire-hydrant had perhaps faded a little, flaked off here and there, but it still seemed to grow out of the ground and be both out of place and perfectly placed. It’s surprisingly uplifting to re-discover such odd icons from one’s childhood; of course this time I had to photograph it. Location: Valler, Norway

Underpass 5.25pm

One day last year the band of my wristwatch broke suddenly. It could, I’m sure, be fixed and one day I shall get round to it, but since that day I have not worn a watch at all but relied on other means of learning the time. And it is amazing how accomodating the world is to the "watchless" among us! Everywhere I look now I seem to spot a clock of some kind, whereas before (when I had my own watch) I hardly gave them a second glance. We observe only what we need to so much of the time, or rather: when we need something we start to see it all around us, as if our brain is actively seeking it out. With photography it is the right or appealing motive that we seek. Here, I think it was the clock that initially attracted me, but I then became fascinated by the light and shadows and the reflections and lines I also was intrigued with the position of the clock –at the end of an underpass; a sort of goal for those walking towards it, or a last, quick reminder of the time for those entering from the opposite direction; perhaps an incentive to hurry up? I also found the urban orderliness pictured here rather pleasing. Location: Nuremberg, Germany

Empty Car-Park

Places that are empty hold a strange fascination for me. I would never dream of taking a photograph of a car-park when it is full, and I try to avoid them as much as possible because I really don't like cars much, but over Christmas while out walking in my old home town in Norfolk I found the emptiness here to be rather magical. It had rained the night before (if course it had, this is England, after all!) so there were lots of puddles about, and because the surface of the car-park wasn't entirely flat there was something interesting going on, the water and reflected light on the large open area creating an almost alien surface that was at odds with the mundanity of the perfectly ordinary car-park. I thought it interesting enough to photograph, rendering it black and white to add to the mysterious quality. Location: Norfolk, England

ShakesYear!

Today I have launched a new blog to chronicle a year-long project I have long wanted to do, but which seems especially apt this year; namely revisiting the comlete works of William Shakespeare and reading through each play chronologically. There's a link to this new blog on the sidebar here, and plenty more about the project in my first post there. That will be a more text-based blog, but with appropriate pictures too, and needing a good photograph to launch the new blog I chose this one –a fine bust of the bard, taken in the Shakespeare room of Birmingham Central Library –home of the magnificent Shakespeare collection. I took it a little from below because I wanted to capture more of the books in the glass case behind, and the angle reflects Shakespeare's position as someone to look up to while at the same time not being so lofty and grand as to lose eye-contact with! I've always wanted one of these busts myself, but they're strangely difficult to get hold of –at least compared to busts of other notables like Beethoven, Socrates or Darth Vador. They're also extremely heavy so there was no chance I was going to steal this one! I was quite pleased with the picture though, so that's something at least. Do check out the new blog if you're interested, and don't worry, I won't be neglecting this blog just because I have another one! Location: Birmingham, England

Goal for the Year

I'm kicking off the new year with a picture that expresses my wish for the new year. I was walking about in London one afternoon in a rather gloomy sort of mood, thinking about this and that with my eyes cast a little more down than usual, when I suddenly came across this –"A sign!" I said to myself, dramatically (being an actor) and I was immediately put in a better frame of mind. Sometimes it is the most mundane things that may be the most profound. A simple instruction painted on the street, but with the arrow and direction there is an emphasis that I find uplifting -there is forever a road before us stretching out, and on it bravely we fare! Have a great year, everybody. Location: London, England

Favourite Picture of the Year - 1

Well, it had to be another cat –or rather a kitten– and once again it’s from Greece. This beautiful feline was one of two identical siblings who delighted us every lunchtime at the outdoor restaurant we visited each day on the island Samos. They were playful, cheeky, adorable, sleepy, inquisitive, lithe at times gauche at others, sweet and affectionate –most of the time; sometimes all at the same time! Like all cats they could occasionally be stand-offish or disdainful, but as they were kittens this never lasted more than a moment. In their own minds they were tigers or jaguars or mountain lions and loved to climb. I took a series of pictures of them, but this is my favourite, despite the light being a little fuzzy (the sunlight was very strong beyond the shade). I think it captures everything I like about cats –the nobleness, the curiosity, the grace and the determination. So much of the Internet is devoted to pictures of cats dressed up, being grumpy or doing bizarre, crazy things that I thought it about time they were given some respect! Thank you for visiting my blog and please return again –next year is going to see some incredible pictures, right here! Location: Samos, Greece

Favourite Picture of the Year – 2

Earlier this year there was a celebration all along the waterfront in Oslo to celebrate the completion of a walking route that effectively takes you from one side of the city to the other. This ”fjord path” takes in quaysides, harbours and piers with lots of attractions, old and new, along the way. It is one of my favourite places for walking and cycling all year round. On the day of the opening there was much activity and extra hullabaloo along the whole route, and at the quayside below the castle where several historic boats are permanently moored some equally vintage vehicles were lined up. I’m a sucker for anything nostalgic, so I felt right at home. The picture is a memory of a pleasant day, but also an affectionate nod to the past. And I liked the pairing of the old truck and boat Location: Oslo, Norway

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 3

Sometimes the simplest things can trigger off a whole series of thoughts, and photographs do not have to be rich in detail or technically perfect to capture exactly a particular atmosphere or mood or moment. The reason I took this picture of a lowly biro lying on a window sill was that apart from a work-light this was the only object in a set of empty rooms I visited in the autumn. And the pen seemed so perfectly apt because these rooms were once a former apartment of Henrik Ibsen and this was his workroom. It was here that he wrote The Master Builder back in the 1890s, for instance. The vast building that housed these elegant apartments was later taken over by the Norwegian foreign ministry and was then the headquarters of the Gestapo during the German occupation of the Second World War. A building with a history, in other words. Now being totally renovated it was open to the public for one day and I did not want to miss this rare chance to see where Ibsen had once lived. His last home, just up the street, is of course more well-known and grandiose as that houses the Ibsen musuem, but here there was a strange sense of immediacy, as if Ibsen had only just left –there was something in the air; empty rooms are often so much more evocative than filled one, as if the walls themselves are finally able to speak. Maybe it’s just my imagination! The pen was, of course, left there by accident -no doubt by an architect or planner, but I like to think of it representing the great writer himself. Perhaps he too once placed a pen here while ruminating over the next words to write, looking out of this very window...Location: Oslo, Norway

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 4

Earlier this year I had to misfortune to get stuck in the middle of Germany’s biggest ever rail strike, which started one day after I arrived in that country precisely to travel about by rail for a few weeks. Needless to say it was a highly frustrating time; but there was something rather fascinating about seeing normally busy stations deadly quiet all day –everything was open, tickets could be bought etc. but there were no people about –and of course no trains (apart very occasionally). I was struck by the emptiness of the stations, the unsettling views of bare platforms and unoccupied tracks, yet at the same time fascinated too. Such places have a strange allure when they are empty and still and I tried to capture some of it here, and took numerous pictures this and other empty stations. It certainly helped me pass the time while I was stuck. Location: Lübeck, Germany

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 5

With Christmas and the end of the year drawing near I thought I'd round off 2015 by posting my 5 favourite pictures taken this year. I have been photographing steadily all year but there have been numerous technical issues that have prevented me from posting as much as I would like (ideally every day); these seem now to be resolved however and I look forward to sharing lots more photographs and thoughts in 2016. Today's picture was taken on the island of Samos in September and seems to me to capture the essence of a peaceful late afternoon when the sun is no longer fierce and a satisfying nap is the best thing in the world. I love cats for their poise, independence and ability to always find the best spot and never care about what anyone thinks. This chair was usually occupied by a salty boat owner who sat by the quayside of an evening. The cat may have been his, or belonged to the boat. But here, in total relaxedness, the afternoon belongs to the cat! Location: Samos, Greece

Globes!

I think one really gets a feel for the world as a cosmic entity from looking at a globe. I mean, maps are great and useful and practical, but they don’t really convey a feeling of distance, proportion or wholeness in the way that a globe does. A globe shows that which is common to us all –our planet; our world, and I for one always have a sense of wonder when I look at one. So imagine my awe at seeing 19 of them! This is the window of a travel shop quite close to where I live; it has other windows too and doesn’t just sell globes, but this is the window I always have to stop at. I found the globes looked like beads on an abacus, and the lines of the wall add to this effect –a kind of ”reckoning up” of the Earth if you like. I also thought it would be a fun picture to share. Location: Oslo, Norway

Railway Platform

I never cease to be captivated by railways stations and trains –any train, and I have probably photographed them more than is good for me. This is a sleek carriage of the Danish Railways fleet, rearing to go. I wanted to capture the speed and excitement of the train, even though it was waiting at the station. The bright sun shone a sharp white shaft of light along the platform that echoes the white line along the side of the train. And all the lines draw us to a distant focal point. I was also pleased with the contrast and cleanliness of the picture –the colour is muted, and aside from the blue of the sky and its reflection in the windows the image is more or less monochrome. All aboard! Location: Odense, Denmark

Streetscape

Cobblestoned streets are always a treat for photographs; they seldom disappoint, and frequently come out far more beautiful and even than they actually appear in real life. They also tend to give pictures a timeless look. Take away the cars in the distance here and this could be a hundred years ago, or two hundred or even five hundred. But it’s not just the cobblestones that attracted me here; The brick arches that cross from one side of the street to the other create the effect of an open tunnel. I don’t quite know what their function is or was, or whether they are the remnants of some former structure, but they create an interesting effect. The lines and various odd-looking windows also intrigue me, and the way the left side of the picture looks rather foreboding while the right side is somehow more friendly and accomodating. Location: Lübeck, Germany

Mountain Lake, Late Autumn

Winter is rapidly approaching and this lake will soon be frozen over and the surrounding shore and trees covered with snow that grows ever deeper as the year draws to a close. But autumn still clings on for a while –a more mysterious autumn now that the golden colours have faded a little and mists creep in over the water for longer and longer. I find it rather beautiful and serene, baleful and quiet. The silence is alluring. The day may be gloomy but it is not without its charm. Location: Valdres, Norway

On Deck

There’s something theatrical about this shot; it could be the cast of a play placed on the deck for a poster, or group of musicians posing for an album cover. It seems staged, but it is quite accidental, just a snapshot I took while taking the ferry between Denmark and Germany, but I was quite struck by the result. It’s windy and the sea and sky is grey, but the blue of the deck compensates for this. However, it is the bright splashes of colour and the stances of the people that make this picture for me. They are all heading somewhere, with various expectations and I feel it is almost as if one can read their thoughts. Location: Near Puttgarden, Germany

Early Morning in Greece

Morning sunlight is very special and unique. I also find it very exciting –every moment is filled with transformation and there is something renewing and expectant about the gradual brightening and warming of a cool landscape. Soon after the heat will be intense, but at such an early hour it is very gentle. Og course, part of the magic of very early morning is that it is so quiet –people have not yet got up, there are no noisy motorbikes or loudspeakers, just the occasional cry of a bird and the gentle lapping of the water at the quayside. The air is fresh and vibrant and Greece, at such a moment, is calm. Location: Pythagorian -Samos, Greece

Autumn in Oslo

Due to some computer and network problems it's been some time since I posted, and in the interim autumn has descended and is creating glorious colours all around. This is from the park behind the royal palace in Oslo. Fortunately the pond has not been drained yet, so I was able to capture the reflection of the golden tree in the water. Some of the trees remain stubbornly "summery" and the grass is still green, but soon all this will change again, and who knows - my next picture from here may be of snow. In the meantime, let's enjoy the mellow beauty of autumn. Location: Oslo, Norway

Oslo from Oslo

Oslo's name has a somewhat confusing history. The city was originally situated close to where this picture was taken, and remained there until 1624 when it burned down. A brand new city was built across the bay, and named Christiania after the Danish king who made the decision to move. The area where the remains of the old city stood was still called Oslo, but there was nothing there and the inhabitants were required to move to the new city (they initially wished to rebuild it where it had been but were lured by tax relief). The new city grew and gradually started to expand in all directions. In the 19th Century the ”Ch” gave way to the more Norwegian ”K” – thus it became Kristiania –which it remained until 1925, when it was decided that the city should be called ”Oslo”. The only trouble was that ”Oslo” still existed as the old part of the city, now swallowed up by the ever-expanding Kristiania. Thus, on the same day that the whole of the city of Kristiania was renamed Oslo, old ”Oslo” (the location of our picture) was renamed ”the old city” (Gamlebyen) –which it remains to this day. Norwegians have a way of changing names! I first visited this original part of the city this summer, and was struck by the new buildings that have only recently popped up along the area between ”Kristiania” and ”Oslo” – the striking ”barcode” buildings seen here in the background. In fact, a whole new part of the city is being formed, partly on reclaimed ground in the fjord. The links between the old and the new are thus becoming closer. One wonders whether perhaps the whole city will be renamed again some time as a consequence... New Oslo? Location: Oslo, Norway