September, 2009 Archives

marksspencerminster

Allison and I were busily taking pictures of York Minster (one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals this side of the Swedish Alps) when an older lady approached us.  “Here we go,” thought I, thinking she might have had something to say about us and our cameras.

She did, but in a good way.  She was an off-duty tourguide!

“Are you visitors?” She asks.

“Yes,” says we, the Australian and American accents giving it away immediately if the cameras and fevered snapping wasn’t already a big enough clue.

“Well, I don’t usually let people in on this but there is an excellent view of the Minster from the third floor window in Marks and Spencer!”

So, obediently, we found our way to Marks and Spencer and went to the third floor, which just happened to be the men’s clothing department. Surrounded by socks and undies, we peeked out of the little window to find an awesome view, just like the lady said.

Sitting stately amongst the rooftops of the township and bathed in warm afternoon light, there was the Minster in all it’s glory.

Next stop; men’s underwear.

londoneye2006

Last night the manbeast stopped and, while looking over at a few of my photographs, quietly said it was nice to be reminded that one doesn’t need top-notch photographic gear to get a great image.  Yeah, that’s a compliment I’ll take.  I happen to agree.  Some of my favourite shots have been taken on a Pentax ist* DS or the manbeast’s Nikon D70s.  Neither are fantastic cameras but they do the job.  The above image was taken, if I remember correctly, on Steve’s Nikon D70s.  I love this photograph.  I love the smog, I love the dirty yellow sunset reflected off the glass, I love the flecks of light on the far-away buildings and the vibrant colours on the bridge.  All caught and dealt with beautifully in appalling conditions from within a very dirty pod on the London Eye.

London Eye-View

williespeer_pidgeon

A pidgeon kind enough to pose on Gem Pier, Williamstown.

Pidgeon

The old blog has gone kahpoot.   This one will soon be an art/photoblog.  Don’t worry, there will still be the occasional rant.  Just want to get a bit of a presence out there.

Well, that sucked.