Graffiti Tunnel

One of the best elements of my recent weekend photography workshop was the opportunity to photograph places I would have never known about, and some places I might never have approached even if I had! Like many major metropolises London authorities have adopted a clever strategy in the fight against graffiti via designated graffiti zones. By providing these "artists" a legal spray place the hope is that graffiti will be thus contained to these spots and the rest of the city will remain largely spray-free. No idea if this tactic actually works, but it's an interesting approach to the problem. The authorised graffiti area that we visited was actually a tunnel not far from the London Eye, but stepping into the shadowy tunnel felt like stepping into another dimension. To enhance the experience eerie Gregorian chant music was playing throughout the tunnel on overhead speakers. I learned that the theory behind this music is to keep the thugs who tend to frequent this graffiti tunnel from staying around too long to make trouble. The music coupled with this strange environment is enough to make the sanest among us go mad, so it acts as a sort of noninvasive kind of thug repellent. After a couple hours shooting in this most surreal of places I could have used a little therapy to debrief!

Welcome to the tunnel (should you wish to enhance this experience put on your favorite Gregorian chant track now) . . .

Reflections of St. Paul's

London Bridge

This bridge is rather uninspiring, especially when compared to the more stately Tower Bridge that it is often mistaken for. The London Bridge connects The City of London to Southwark (note the previously blogged Southwark Cathedral tower in the background). Downright dull during the day, this bridge comes alive at night drenched in red. Couple this glowing red structure with a passing boat beneath and passing double-decker buses above, and you've got quite an electric scene!

Battersea Power Station

This now defunct power station lies on the south bank of the River Thames. Built in the 1930's it ceased operation in the 1980's, and now stands as another unique London landmark.

London Eye

If you're ever wondering what the London Eye looks like at say, 5:00am, I'll save you the trouble of getting up to see for yourself.

Green Spaces

Sun and blue skies were on the menu, so we spent a lovely spring weekend exploring some of London's many parks. Saturday we spent the day roaming Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, topping off our excursion with a yummy picnic in the park. Sunday we spent the afternoon wandering the beautiful gardens at Kew. Sadly I don't have any photos of Kew. I'll think twice the next time I decide to go on an excursion "unencumbered" by my gear; I was more encumbered by the thoughts of photo ops missed! Tomorrow Liz and Andrew fly home. Sadness ensues. It's been so much fun having them here!

Courtesy of the on-camera timer, presenting the whole gang in Regent's Park


Parents of our forthcoming niece or nephew in Regent's Park


Row-boat pre-boarding in Regent's Park


Row-boating in Regent's Park


Scott and his sister at Primrose Hill


I couldn't resist posting this one I got off Andrew and Liz's camera. We apparently have a bird catcher in the family!

Southwark Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral is very near the Thames next to London Bridge. Pronounced "suthark" as with every word here with a "w" at the beginning of the second syllable, the "w" is silent. Warwick is then "warick" and Chiswick is "chisick." You have to mentally drop that "w." It takes some getting used to as my American brain really wants to give that "w" its proper respect!