Today, we had the first frost in London, and the winter sun gives what little warmth to a flock of pigeons. The USA votes it’s 58th President today and the whole world is awaiting the results with bated breath.
Birds of a feather
Tag: Fujifilm X100T
InstantLondon : Brixton Buzz
Brixton is only about 5 miles from where I live, but the last time I was there was over 10 years ago I believe, attending a photography workshop at Photofusion. Today, I dropped by this South London photo-space to take a look at Kazuma Obara’s Silent Histories exhibition. The town has it’s famous attraction, the Brixton Academy, Ritzy and of course the multi-ethnic Brixton Market with its street stalls, fish, fruit and veg outlets, halal butchers, and trendy cafes.
Chinese Takeaway
I haven’t shot in Chinatown for a while, and today was a great opportunity to bring a group of enthusiastic photographers from the City Academy Documentary class, as the sun was shining and the weather was warm. It always brings a smile to me to see tourists eyeing the strung up roast ducks and chickens in the restaurant fronts, as well as more weird and colourful delicacies like chicken feets, squids and offal hanging off steel rack displays. I even saw visitors smelling large spiky durians that cost as much as they weighed.
Boat Race Day
First raced in 1829, the 162th annual Boat Race between the rowing clubs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities was held today on a cold but sunny Easter Sunday, on the River Thames at Putney Bridge. I live close by, so a quick walk upriver got me there. The race was won by the Cambridge team, overtaking Oxford at Hammersmith Bridge.
InstantLondon : Westminster Cathedral
Spent some time at Westminster Cathedral in Victoria this morning. Today is Maundy Thursday, the first day of the Easter celebrations covering the three main events called the Easter Triduum. During the last two weeks in Lent season, all statuary and crucifixes in churches are veiled in purple cloth, a ritual practice since the Middle Ages. The traditional colour for veils is purple, a colour that represents penance and humility.
InstantLondon : Dearly Departed
Brompton Cemetery, Fulham
One of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, the Brompton Cemetery was first opened in 1840 and houses over 200,000 burials with some 35,000 headstones, mausoleums and simple plots. Some parts are overgrown with hedges and creepers, making it a favourite for photography and movies. It is located right next to Stamford Bridge the home of Chelsea F.C. One can’t help imagining the souls of the departed bearing up with the roar of the stadium as the home team scores each time.
Brick Lane Blues
The coldest day in 2016 was spent in Brick Lane again, with a group of enthusiastic photographers shooting ‘street’ with the City Academy Street Photography class. Brick Lane is always a hive of activity, sights and sounds. Lots of dodgy characters too. Here’s an endearing shot of a young girl throwing change at a moody electric guitarist busker, well deserved as it was about 3C and sleeting at the time.
Commonscapes 15 – October
Continuing on my personal long term Commonscapes series, here are a few more photographs made this morning in Wimbledon Common. There are parts of this vast forest I have not been to, and these scenes were from an area new to me. The colours are simply amazing, it would have been lost if these were in black and white, like some of the earlier images in the series.
See Commonscapes series. Click on image to enlarge.
Charlie Burns, king of Bacon Street.
Wandered through the streets around Brick Lane again this Saturday with participants from the City Academy street photography class and caught this enigmatic image of a tourist photographing the Charlie Burns mural. Charlie Burns, as I later discovered is a long time resident of Shoreditch, a well-respected gentleman, who had lived here since 1915, and had seen the gradual changes over the years. He established a paper mill business and later ran a boxing club locally. Charlie passed away in 2012, aged 96.
More below :
Mural by Ben Shaw, artist See here
City Academy Photography Classes
InstantLondon : National Gallery
explorenation.net ~ photography posts, workshops, writings and thoughts by Steven V-L Lee 
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