Kissing gate
The early evening sun finds a gap in the hedgerow and casts it light on the kissing gate.
A simple physical interruption to a country path, but one which entices you to pass through and discover what lies on the other side.
If you click on the image to view a larger version you may see that someone has written ‘Jesus’ in chalk on the top right hand rail. Is the gate symbolic of a different journey perhaps?
A couple of days ago I posted an entry depicting the people, light and their shadows inside this same venue. You can read my words and see the images here.
When I first arrived at Tate Modern I was fascinated by the way the afternoon sun came through the vast roof light above me and the tall vertical windows in the west wall. Together they created many interesting shadows and patterns of light on the building’s structure, the textured concrete floor and in some cases the reflective surfaces enclosing the Turbine Hall. For your information this hall is 152m long and 35m high; it’s huge.
I liked the view at the head of this post, but I did wonder what it would be like if taken at ground level. The next shot is looking into the same corner of the hall, but has a more abstract feel to it.
It was then that I noticed the light and shadows falling on the floor being mirrored in the the ‘polished’ wall surface. Would a slightly different view point and a more abstract composition give me an image which truly bought all these elements together and what would be the result?
Here is the final image in this short series of three. You may wish to click on the picture to see a larger version.
It has a rather surreal look about it. There appears to be a layer of ‘floating light’, hanging above the floor. It’s an optical illusion of course but the way the light and shadows are being mirrored produces this effect and for me this is the most visually interesting of the three.
Here are two other photographs taken inside the Turbine Hall.
Here again I like the way the people behind the glass are distorted whilst the light makes interesting patterns, adding further interest to the overall composition.
Finally here is a shot looking towards the tall vertical windows. Taken through glass the reflection of the hand rail is distorted and a small figure stands alone in the bottom left hand corner. A point of interest but also necessary to give scale to the image.
I only spent an hour or so wandering around, but I am inspired to go back. Arrive early and leave late – Watching, observing and waiting for the light to change direction and intensity during the course of the day. Waiting for a suitable person or a group of people to be in the optimum place, moving in the right direction to enhance the composition. When all these ingredients come together I will press the shutter, and who knows what the results may be. I can’t wait to return!
All the images in this post were taken with the Leica M Monochrom using a Leica 90mm f2.4 Summarit lens, processed in Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro. Do click on any of the photos to view a larger version.
Light worker
Occasionally I travel to London for a business meeting. It doesn’t happen very often but when it does, I like to make the most of the day and if time permits take a few shots before the train journey back home.
Earlier this week I found myself in the City, so I decided to visit Tate Modern. Not for the artworks but for the Turbine Hall, a truly massive space, which previously housed electricity generators and is now used as a social space for art installations. I had been inspired to do so by fellow blogger Andy Hooker of LensScaper when he wrote about his visit to this very same place.
Although I had been to Tate Modern before it was never with the intention of taking photographs. You may say I am strange but on this occassion I was more interested in the building itself, its architecture, the people it attracts, than I was in the works of art on display. The light to me was as wonderful as the varied art this gallery has on show.
By the time the business of the day was over, it was quite late when I arrived, but I was very fortunate with the light. The sun had moved round to the west and its light was pouring in through large vertical windows casting long stripes of light on the heavily textured concrete floor. As visitors moved towards the exit it was interesting to see how perhaps sub consciously they would walk along the ‘light stripes’ as if they were being guided to the door.
I enjoyed watching and waiting as visitors and city workers moved around, just hoping that I would be in the right position to take the shot that I could picture in my minds eye.
Light follower
Light stripes
Light crossing
I hope you enjoy these images and in the days to come I will be posting a further entry which will include more pictures of the Turbine Hall itself.
All the images in this post were taken with the Leica M Monochrom using a Leica 90mm f2.4 Summarit lens, processed in Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro. Do click on any of the photos to view a larger version.
I have written before on the subject of Museums and Art Galleries in London. Here are just two posts which you might like to read.
Rich photo opportunities in London’s museums and galleries.
The Natural History Museum – without any nature!
Sailing in the Solent
Because I live near the south coast, I have lost count of the number of people who over the years have asked – “Do you sail?” To which I reply – “No, I don’t”. I prefer to look at the sea and not be either in it or floating in a boat on it. Having said that, if a sailing friend offers a trip on the water then subject to the weather being reasonably calm, I will more than likely take up the invitation.
My wife and I accompanied some friends last year and we sailed from Chichester Harbour across the Solent towards Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. We anchored in the bay just off Bembridge to enjoy a very pleasant lunch before setting sail for the return journey. I know I like it to be calm when on the water but on this occasion there was hardly a breath of wind and what liitle wind there was to be had, was apparently blowing in the wrong direction. So the engine was fired up and eventually we arrived back in the sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour. The calming influence of sailing was rather spoilt by the constant thrum coming from the outboard motor not to mention the smell from the fumes of the diesel engine. Nevertheless it was a very pleasant way to spend the day and we kept dry, which is always a blessing.
It was late September and the light was beginning to fade. There were clouds gathering but the late afternoon sun danced on the water as I looked back towards the Isle of Wight and took this shot. A reminder of a very good day out and I can understand why sailing appeals to so many people, but I think I will stick with my hobby – photography.
The Reader
Following my one day workshop with Andy Beel in Bath recently, I have started to observe and then process my images differently. I would like to think that I am trying to approach my photography is a more artistic way. This ‘new’ style is also a result of my acquiring a Leica M Monochrom earlier this year, which when coupled with the 50mm f1.4 Summilux lens provides me with plenty of creative opportunities. The files it produces are quite superb and allow plenty of latitude in post processing. I have yet to fully appreciate all of its capabilities but the learning curve is a very good one! For a start, the one camera and one prime lens approach also means that I spend more time looking and taking pictures instead of zooming in and out, or swapping lenses. The fully manual controls also help to ensure I am thinking about the look I am trying to create. I haven’t perfected it yet, but manually focusing is getting much easier and more intuiative.
The shot featured in this entry was taken yesterday in the fishing village of West Bay in Dorset. I was attracted to the way the light fell on the man’s face and clothing as he sat in the winter sun by the harbour side, absorbed in the pages of his book. I guess he probably works in the fishing industry but found himself with time on his side. I have increased the contrast and darkened areas of the picture, so the eye is drawn to his profile which is sharp in comparison to the out of focus background. I also like the way the light is falling on the harbour wall as it disappears into the distance. I have added a ‘copper tone’ at 20% in Silver Efex which I think suits this image.
Thanks to everyone who has started following my blog recently.
alan frost photography 