Tales of two cities

A few weeks ago, on the way to work, I was admiring the change in seasons in London. Passing over the Thames on my commute I was struck by the mist that covers London on some mornings at this time of year, before the sun rises high enough to burn it away. I spent a few mornings getting up extra early with camera to catch the scene as I suspect it will only be here for a few weeks before the seasons shifts again.

Mist over the Thames – October Morning

Todays post finds me back in Vancouver – another holiday there, I can’t quite seem to get enough. I took some photos of the state capital of British Columbia, a city called Victoria. Its on Vancouver Island and so like Thames has a relationship with the water, but the hitory is shorter and so the coastline is wilder,. I’m always thinking of the scale of North America about the scale of North America – I wanted to compare it to a photograph I took of the Thames in London.

Victoria, Vancouver Island – the coast on Dallas Road

I’m sorry its been a while – What with work and spending a lot of time refreshing my graphics and photography website, I have to keep on top of my portfolio, even though that often seems to be a job in itself. Anyway, website: I’m pleased to say is now up. I’t only its second draft so I will be polish, polish, polishing it. Have a look:
http://www.kevinricks.com

London, Saturday 29 March

The main picture was taken with my camera, but I have also been trying out my phone. London moments don’t always wait for me to go home and get the equipment I feel I need for a good photo. I dont know if you’ll see anymore from my phone, just because I don’t like the quality. The misty mornings have been amazing, too good to miss – Anyway, Examples follow:

This was actually taken about a month ago when life went a little crazy – nothing bad, in fact a lot of work came my way so it was good. So here is the Thames, as seen from London Bridge on a spring evening in early April. It was beautiful – and it will be again.

It’s half term here which means I get to catch up with an old schoolfriend and his kids (he’s a teacher). Sweet day, if brutally cold. Didn’t stop them having fun though.

Waiting for his Pizza…

…while monkey-see, monkey-do

After seeing all the reds and greys I sat there waiting for something to compliment the lanterns at the gateway to Chinatown.

London last Sunday, it snowed all day. Beautiful – cold. Here’s couple of low res shots.

Nelson and King George V survey London from Trafalgar Square.

Sunbeam shafts enter a tunnel, spotlighting a commuter as he passes on his way.

This is part of my London series. There are a few more in a previous post.

I am looking at people on their way to work in their own little world. Often in beautiful light or surroundings, oblivious to this as they pass absorbed in their own thoughts.

I find it particularly fascinating as I used to be one of these people. Passing through a wondrous City I was full of anxieties about everything from my home and mortgage, to my partner and working at a job I found unrewarding. All these aspects of my life have changed and it now seems silly to me that these thoughts preoccupied me so much.