Light Encounters

Positive thinking

2012-01-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

Champagne still buzzing in my head, house is still full of Christmas decorations but new year, 2012 is here! I take from the old year good memories and hope for the best in the months ahead. I stay positive, despite the economic downturn and gloomy projections. My brand new electronic picture frame projects the images from my favourite places and a prominent place take Channel Islands.So with the happy memories and plenty of hopes of what lies ahead, to the New Year!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T02:28:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to everybody!Geseënde Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwe jaar, Zorionak eta urte berri on, ᖱᒣᖳᒐᒉᑊᖿᒪᔪᖱᖽᐧᒡᒧᐧᖾᒍ, 聖誕節快樂 , Nadelik Lowen ha Blydhen Nowydh Da, Frohe Weihnachten, Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo, Wesołych świąt i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku, Veselé vánoce a šťastný nový rok, أجمل التهاني بمناسبة الميلاد و حلول السنة الجديد

The gates

2011-12-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

In the past, London was protected from enemies by defensive walls and gates. Five of the main entrances through the wall into the City were built by the Romans. The gates or City Gates as they were known, weren't gates as we might imagine them; they were more like a multi level buildings with decorative archways through the middle. One of the largest gates was in Fleet Street; it separated the City of London from the City of Westminster. It was called Temple Bar and now, fully restored, is in Paternoster Square. It is shown on my first picture. The second picture however, is not of a city gate but the gate to the Leadenhall Market in the City. Both taken in the evening, they look strikingly beautiful.

Warm light

2011-12-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

In the Autumn, the light is so soft and golden in the morning and in the afternoon. It passes through a greater air mass including ozone and dust and as the blue wavelenghts are absorbed more easily, therefore predominant red wavelenghts make everything glow red and gold, changing the average view into an atmospheric, warm image. Luckily, sunrise is not too early at this time of the year, so it was easier for me to drag myself out of the warm bed. The views and subsequently, the pictures were worth it!

Mysterious fog

2011-11-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

Misty weather is perfect for atmospheric and mystical photos. When the world is covered with white fog it becomes an extraordinary places. Simple old churchyard, lonely barn in the valley, a tree in the field are transformed into a fantastic view. The old graves, don't they evoke a sense of mystery, isolation and loneliness? I couldn't resist the temptation to pop into my local church when the fog started to build. I know it is only the warm air that clashes with cold ground or air but the power of narrowing the range of colours is amazing and it renders the mysterious mood and makes our imagination run wild.

Wakehurst Place

2011-11-16T04:34:00.000-08:00

A splendid sixteenth century house and equally exciting twentieth century garden or should I say park, made me very happy this Sunday. I think that was possibly the last warm day this Autumn and it was such a pleasure to sit on the bench in the ornamental area near the house (the Arts and Crafts style, my favourite) . Called as 'Kew in the country', Wakehurst Place Garden belongs to the National Trust and is managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens. Every season is interesting here, plenty of bluebells in spring, refreshing walks by the lake in the summer, autumn colour of fierce red maple trees; something to look forward to - a visit to the Winter Garden this December!

Time to die

2011-11-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

Autumn is a great time for gardeners, most of the people love to tidy the garden in November and cut all that summer growth, but not me! Oh no! I love the "unkept" garden with all these dried flowers and plants. It is not the time to die yet, the seeds will be welcomed by birds and I will happilly search for shapes and textures amongst them. With a bit of imagination, even the most boring plant can be transfered into a piece of art! So think twice before you get rid of all these dried or wilting plants.

Long live anthocyanin

2011-11-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Autumn, photographers favourite season brings glorious yellow, orange and red leaves. This is a direct result of breaking down the green chlorophyll in leaves and unmasking the yellow carotinoids that were well hidden. Intense red coloration however comes mainly from a pigment called anthocyanin, which has to be made afresh each year. In England autumn leaves are usually considered to be more golden than red, but maple tress in places like Winkworth Arboretum never fail to put a colorful display!

Ghostly Scotney

2011-10-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

Don't we just love Autumn? Especially in one of many fabulous gardens of Kent or Surrey. This time I have ventured to very picturesque Scotney Castle. It was built in the 14th century by Roger Ashburnham. For several hundred years Scotney Castle was the ancestral home of the Darrell family. In 18th century, Edward Hussey bought the castle and build above it, the New Castle. But let's stay with the old one. It is very beautiful but also very mysterious. One of the previous owners, Arthur Darrell, infamous smuggler, faked his own death to continue smuggling without fear of pursuit. One day, a Revenue Officer discovered his secret and was mercilessly drowned by him. From time to time, the officer's wet ghostly figure emerges from the moat....

Blade of light

2011-10-22T03:31:00.000-07:00

My two favourite bridges; London Bridge, plain but funtional from 1972 that replaced the famous Old London Bridge from 1176 by Peter de Colechurch. It took 32 years to build but it was a marvel wih 19 arches and several homes up to seven storeys high. The second one, the old railway bridge designed by Cubitt was dimantled in 1985 and only ornate red columns survived. Both are irresistable when lit, simply blades of light.

Touching Heaven

2011-09-29T23:22:00.000-07:00

Penon de Ifach is one of the smallest natural parks in Spain. The rock reaching 332 metres in height is the symbol of the Costa Blanca. Reaching the top takes an hour, but there are some craggy places and the path is really narrow in some places. However, when you are there, on top, it is like touching heaven. Above you, there is just sky and seagulls, on one side of the rock there are splendid views of a town called Calpe, on the other, Levante beach and rocky coastline towords Moraira, the third side opens up a view of a small salty lake with flamingos walking gracefully in shallow parts and the rest is just the sea. I can never get bored with the view of Penon, day or night, it's majestic, interesting and so familiar.

Street photography

2011-09-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Street photography includes any photograph made anywhere in public places, most commonly, in urban settings. An important part of the street photography is the presense of people. It's not always necessary, but for me, including a person in your composition simply adds interest. Most important factor in this kind of photography is to be fascinated with people and the way they behave in public.Patience is also vital, as it will enable you to wait for this perfect moments you want to capture. Master of this type of real life reportage was Henri Cartier-Bresson. He has influenced generations of photographers, me included.

Rain, rain, rain

2011-09-06T01:55:00.000-07:00

Suddenly it feels that the summer is over. Cold wind and rain makes me a bit sad that days of t-shirts and shorts are over, but I should not despair. Rain can be photogenic. Rain can be fun (as long as you remember to cover the camera as best as you can). You can also shoot through the windscreen, through the windows and capture the droplets of water reflecting the light or obsuring the view ahead of you. Rain also saturates the colours, so often I go to the forest where wet leaves and grasses suddenly gain this much more vivid colours.

Sea shell

2011-09-01T03:34:00.000-07:00

"The shell" by James Stephens

And then I pressed the shell
Close to my ear
And listened well,
And straightaway like a bell
Came low and clear
The slow, sad murmur of far distant seas,
Whipped by an icy breeze
Upon a shore
Wind-swept and desolate.

Sea call

2011-08-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

The last long weekend in August is quickly approaching and it has a bitter sweet taste. It's an extra day of holidays but it also reminds me that the summer season is getting close to the end.I will miss summer days by the sea, the warmth of the sand, wind in my hair and the blue colour of the water. However, I can look at the pictures I have taken this year and repeat the words of a poem by John Masefield:
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

Twist of fate

2011-08-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Charles Seymour, the 6th Duke of Somerset turned Pethworth from a manor house into the glorious house we can see today. Charles was as lucky as ambitious; his older brother, the 5th Duke, was killed in Italy (he had offended a lady there and her husband didn't take it lightly); Charles succeeded to the dukedom. Marriage to the Percy family hairess brought him fortune and monies were quickly used to rebuild the mansion. "Proud Duke" he was called, but I would call it, obsessed with his self-importance. The Duke built 14 miles of high walls around his property to keep the distance from "common people". On his trips, his servants would run ahead of him and clear peasants out of his way! How dissapointed he would be today, seeing Petworth House in the hands of National Trust and thousands of common people walking the grounds and visiting his house!

Summer colour

2011-08-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

Looking at my last blogs, I have decided that I need some colour, in fact, lots of it. What else is going to give me brighter colours than a lovely field poppy? This picturesque flower with a latin name "Papaver rhoeas" was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. "Papaver" means milk and "rhoeas" - red in Greek. Originally from Mediterranean, most likely it was brought to England with corn seeds. The flower petals have a delicate, crepe-paper-like texture, so interesting to photograph with a bit of a side lighting. The bright red petals are best known color, but flowers can also be white, pink, red, yellow or orange. Every time I see the field peppered with this flowers, I cannot resist the temptation to reach for my camera.

Contre-jour

2011-08-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

French term "Contre jour" is a photographic term meaning, against or into the light. Despite many popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. I much prefer Italian term, so beautifully sounding chiaroscuro, meaning “light-dark.” The term refers to the contrast produced by the interplay of shadow and light. I can never resist this type of photography when I am by the seaside; it can be challenging but it produces more dynamic shots and creates unusual atmoshere. Bright backlight creates a silhouette so a strong feature is needed.

Black and white

2011-07-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

Black and white photography is enjoying nowadays a revival and now and then I like to forget about the colour and go back to basics. All photography was originally monochrome, either sepia or black-and-white. Only with the development of the technology, colour pictures were possible to create. With digital technology, I can change the picture from colour to black and white with a press of a button, but it is not as simple as that. Stripping away the colour works with some images, but doesn't with other. I pay much more attention to composition, lighting, leading lines, texture and perspective. Black and white photography brings out a different kind of mood, more contemplative, I would say. Often, stripping away the colour allows you to see more as you are not distracted by the multitude of tones and shades.

Recording history

2011-07-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, running busily through London taking pictures for my book "The Square mile", I walked by the stunning wildlife images of Artur Tabor proudly displayed at the embankment. Photographs of Polish wildlife, especially birds, were simply superb. Not only I have liked the images, but also, the seemlessness of blending with the trees and the Thames and even people walking and studying them. I have taken these two images and decided to write a blog about this exhibition; it took me longer than I planned. Today, before writing my blog, I have visited the website of this talented photographer. To my horror, I found out that last year, during the expedition to Mongolia, he slipped, fall of the rocks and died. His tragic death filled me with sadness, but made me more determined to record what is all around me. Pictures record "here and now" and can stay for the generation to see; Artur's pictures, no daubt will be admired for many years to come.

Balooning

2011-07-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever experienced a feeling of a total freedom drifting slowly with the wind over the beautiful countryside in the golden hour of sunset? The Cotswold landscape at your feet and the unique combination of exhilaration and serenity is what you get high above in the baloon. On top of it, to watch the preparation in anticipation to the big adventure is a sheer pleasure and perfect photographic opportunity. The only problem here, in the UK is the unpredictability of the weather. One minute you think you can go up, next minute the wind are too high or the clouds are too low.

Memento mori

2011-07-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Many of Britain’s Victorian cemeteries were modelled after the famous French Pere-la-Chaise cemetery. Kensal Green cemetery is one of them and its beauty is not inferior to the famous Parisian one. There is an astonishing variety of grave monuments to be found here. Traditional urns, angels, columns and busts sit next to Egyptian obelisks, pyramids, neo gothic architectural gems and classical tombstones. Extravagant is not too strong a word to describe the manner in which a Victorian funeral was conducted. Some of this splendour can be seen on the open day of Kensal Green graveyard. People visiting it on that day wore traditional Victorian mourning dresses, but there were also some interesting goth costumes as well as funeral carriages. For a photographer, real treat!

Sagres

2011-06-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

Sagres is situated at the most south westerly point of Europe. Interestingly enough, in the past, it was believed that, the setting sun off the point made the waters of the ocean boil! There are many fine beaches and some sheltered coves in the area. I was attracted however not by the beaches or it's windswept rocks, but by the picturesque harbour at Baleeira. It is still a truly working, fishing harbour with colourful boats, fishing nets and the feel of the past. Sagres is relatively famous, as in the past, Prince Henry the Navigator, son of King João I, built his famous school of navigation here. Here, great mariners, astronomers, ship-builders and cartographers built and navigated their mighty ships in the Discovery Age.

Wimbledon Fair

2011-06-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to live close to the charming village of Wimbledon. This is truly a quintessentially English village with plenty of old fashioned pubs, modern bars, elegant boutiques and unspoilt Wimbledon Common. Every year, on Common Southside,the Wimbledon Village Fair is organised. There’s plenty to do there, as there are stalls selling everything from jewellery to plants, bouncy castle and the giant slide for kids, you could also watch traditional horse show.This year my eye caught this child's joy of walking on the water. Such fun! Also a useful hiding from a passing, but relentless rain!

Free as a wind?

2011-06-11T02:35:00.000-07:00

Birds of prey, how majestic they are in the air, how graceful their flight! The speed of a falcon, the power of the eagle, the manoeverability of a red kite, all these is amazing and it makes me think, why do we have to keep some of them in captivity? I know, zoos for educational purposes, falconers for hunting, some birds born in captivity or injured would not stand a change of an independent life, but I would love less and less of the birds to be kept prisoners and more of them hover above our heads in the sky. Free as a wind. Truly. Birds are not playthings. Birds shouldn't be captured or killed but unfortunately birds of prey continue to be killed, despite the fact it is illegal and has been for decades. So sad...

Day or night

2011-06-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

Did you ever had a dilemma of chosing when to shoot a particular landscape during the day or night? Me, never, I shoot both if I can, but I must admit, I usually prefer the night shots. They are just a bit more difficult, they need a bit more patience and a tripod plus cable release but the result can be stunning.It's worth to remember that total darkness isn't the best time to take night shots. It is preferred when there is just a bit of light left in the sky. For me, the best light is 25 minutes after sunset if I point the camera opposite to the sun position and 40 minutes if in the same direction as the sun. The shots taken here are from Jersey Island and were taken while I have worked on my new book, "The Channel Islands" which is going to be in the shops on 7th July.

Haka and Kowhaiwhai

2011-05-21T04:42:00.000-07:00

First time I ever came close to Maori culture was during my beloved rugby matches. There, New Zealand teams perform their traditional dance, The Haka. The Maori War Cry with scary moves and exotic sounding words: Ka mate, ka mate, Ka ora' Ka ora' (which mean I die and I live) can be seen as an attempt to intimidate the opposition but is truly an inspirational tradition. Kowhaiwhai on the other hand is a form of Maori decoration that takes the form of abstract curved pattern work. The main purpose of Kowhaiwhai house decoration is its association with the ancestry. The permutations of line and curve can tell the story of the past. Why am I talking about it? No, I didn't go to New Zealand; I have visited fantastic stately home in leafy Surrey, where Maori culture is beautifully displayed.The Maori Meeting House from Te Wairoa village of Rotorua district takes a prime position in the garden of Clandon Park. This particular house, together with the whole village were buried in the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. It remained half buried until 1892 when Lord Onslow, then Governor General of New Zealand and owner of Clandon Park, had it removed and shipped to England.

Gorgoyles hunting

2011-05-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Gargoyle are such fun! I love discovering these grotesquely carved figures projecting from roofs and buildings in many old English villages and towns. The name comes from the Old French "gargouille" and the Latin "gurgulio", meaning the throat. Gargoyles originally were designed to direct rain water away from the walls of the building, but later on, the term started to be applied more widely to grotesque sculptures. These two sculptures, perhaps not the scariest, never the less, very interesting, come from Winchcombe St. Peter's church, one of the great Cotswold Perpendicular 'wool' churches. The town itself originated in Saxon times, but the current church dates from 1465. The name of the town means 'valley with a bend' and true to the name, the main street, full of character of times past still is significantly curved.

Legs, legs, legs

2011-05-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever spared a thought for our hard working legs? They take you to all these wonderful places where you can take in spectacular vistas and bring back home some stunning shots! Concentrating on your legs or feet can also be an inspiration for a low angle shot, which give us a different view of the world. Unusual perspective brings an everyday scene into a new light. Keeping foreground sharp but including far views is fun and can be a perfect illustration of the area.If you include a lot of sky, be careful with the exposure as the light sky can fool the camera meter.

How to use your husband

2011-05-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

Husbands have their uses. It doesn't even have to be yours! Just put the man where you want him and you have a free and a willing model! Very often on holidays I ask my husband to pose for me, as a bit of a human interest adds to the picture and tells a bigger story. I quite like to underexpose while photographing sunsets as it gives me a nice silhouette. Silhouettes are a wonderful way to convey mood and emotion to the viewers and often they stand out because of their simplicity. Almost any object can be made into a silhouette, however strong and recognizable shape is best. Husbands can also be useful when you forget your credit card, as the second picture shows!

Audrey Hepburn

2011-04-18T05:07:00.001-07:00

Who doesn't like Audrey Hepburn? This fabulous actress, daughter of a wealthy English banker and Dutch baroness started her career as a ballet dancer and a model. Soon, the film producers came calling. My favourite films are Roman Holidays and Charade but her most iconic pictures come from Breakfast at Tiffany's. How lucky can I get to be able to recreate some of the famous poses with a lovely model? Not only the studio session was fun, but also the final result brings the smile to my face!

Midas Touch

2011-04-13T03:18:00.000-07:00

There was a greedy man, Midas who wanted to be the richest man in the world. Greek God Dionysus offered to grant one wish to him and so, foolishly he asked that everything he touches should turn to gold, and it did. Soon however he found out that his food grow rigid and his drink harden into golden ice and only than he understood it was not a gift but a curse. Somehow I tought about this story when I looked at a highly decorative gates of Hampton Court Palace. So lovely it is, so rich and pleasing to the eye. A bit of a sunshine and its beauty is enhanced tenfolds. I used a shallow depth of field intentionally to draw attention to it's form an texture, leaving the palace in the background as a blurr.

Diagonals

2011-04-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a simple change of the position of the camera can make a dramatic change to the way a viewer perceives the image. Diagonals are good, if not overused. They make the image more dynamic. This method works well with carefully chosen subjects, as it draws the eye of the viewer through the image. The trick is to put the important elements of the picture in the middle and choose the right elevation to create the correct angle.

Berlin Wall

2011-03-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

A hundred miles long Berlin Wall was build almost overnight in August 1961. Shocked Berliners woke up to the noise of the trucks filled with saldiers who started to cement concrete posts and strung barbed wires. Soon, the barbed wires were replaced with concrete walls. The freedom of crossing the border between West and East finished. Some lucky people escaped the horror of the life in the East Berlin, but many people died during the unsuccessful attempts. Today, the story of this horrific years is portrayed by many pictures displayed in Berlin. Quite a story to look at the pictures but also, to observe the reaction of the visitors, old and young.

Good bye winter

2011-03-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

There are days that I have nothing to say and this is one of them. Let my pictures occupy the readers. Winter is over and I firmly believe that the frost last night was the last one this year. I like frosty mornings, which are so rare here in UK, but I equally like spring, so spring, roll on. These two lovely frozen plants were captured one sunny morning and remind me of some fantastic winter days spent in gardens recording the frost.

Top Park

2011-03-14T02:51:00.001-07:00

Imagine 76 hectares of the most delightful park in the middle of the city – that’s Łazienki Park in Warsaw. The name means “The baths” as there was a lavish private bathing house for one of the most powerful Polish aristocrat, Lubomirski. He has designed the place in the baroque style in the 17th century, but in 1764 the place was bought by Poland’s last king, Stanislaw Poniatowski. He loved art, poetry and theater, spoke 6 languages and promoted culture. With gusto, he has remodeled the Bath House, built theatre on the water with ancient Greek ruins and placed many charming follies all over his classical style gardens. He has also built quite a few small residences for his many mistresses! I love to stroll in this park and my favourite view is across the lake towards the Palace on the Water, the king’s private residence, but I also love narrow secluded paths, away from the crowds, visited only by red squirrels, swans and peacocks.

Snow white

2011-03-10T02:10:00.000-08:00

Winter is leaving us so before all becomes green here is to the pure white! Photographing snow can be a bit tricky as the cameras can be easily fooled by the bright lighting conditions. Usually the snow might require the compensation of +1 to +2 stops, otherwise the colour of the snow will turn into murky grey. Snow picking up blue from the sky might be affected by purple-blue cast, which can be eliminated with the help of the polarizing filter. However, the polirizer in winter should be used with care in full sun. You can also correct the blue cast by using Custom or Manual White Balance.

Red Hot

2011-03-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

Red is hot! Even in winter! Colours have powerful effects on our psyche and therefore can be used successfully to set the mood of the scene. The power of colour in photography shouldn't be underestimated. A touch of red can make the picture stand out and draw the attention of a viewer. This colour represents power and love. People wearing red clothes are thought to be strong willed, most of them are not, but somehow red does its trick. Red gives us courage as it is emotionally intense and stimulates our heartbeat, but it also relates to stability, vitality and passion. Long live lovely red!

Life is a beach

2011-02-24T04:24:00.000-08:00

Everybody likes beach. Everybody spend holidays by the sea. All children love to play in the sand. Many of our precious photos show our holidays, how we played, how we swam and obviously georgous locations we have visited. There are some challenges when you take pictures by the sea, strong light, light reflecting of the water, many distractions and horizon. Why horizon is a challenge? Because many times we forget about it and on the picture it turns to be sloppy! When on the beach, I always look for some strong focus point ad good light, be it sunrise, sunset or even night light.

Book covers

2011-02-19T02:13:00.000-08:00

Choosing the book cover is a very rewarding and creative process, but oh, boy, so difficult! The cover should describe the book in one picture, it should liven it and the most important, it should be eye catching. It costs me tonns of hours of work everytime and I agonise to the last minute, asking myself, "is this a right choice"? Obvioulsy the main principles for the process of designing is to use colours effectively, to employ shapes, contrast and show the volum and depth. However all this visual problem solving is very subjective and apart from reaching the state of self-satisfaction "it works for me", I need to think about other people, the buyers. Therefore my final decision is based on one principle, does the cover identify the book well. I hope the attached examples do.

Borrowed snow

2011-02-11T05:24:00.000-08:00

These lovely snow pictures were taken in Russia by my brother. That's what I call a winter! Plenty of snow and -30 degrees temperature! Still, the cameras were working! Surroundings blanketed in snow gain the graphic quality, making everything simpler and enhancing the tranquil mood. Winter days due to the low angle of the sun and snow cover bring a new range of photo opportunities. More pictures by my brother on his website: http://grzegorzgajewski.com

To learn or not...

2011-02-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

I feel so comfortable in my own choice of landscape and travel photography, why would I want to try something difficult, like portrait photography? Because it makes me think, because it is a new adventure! Also it helps to have a rather photogenic friend who patiently poses for me... What is important in photographing people is a new perspective. Changing the angle, going high and low gives this extra umph to the picture. Also experimenting with light and breaking rules is good. Two other tricks are to introduce some props and to obsure the model partially; both of the pictures show the last two tricks.

Derelicts

2011-01-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

What is it with the derelicts that draws me like a magnet? The older the building, more delapitaded, the better. I find all ruins fascinating; my imagination runs wild, I can see previous residents, their outfits, how they lived. My brain works overtime and creates the images of old duels, secret murders, skeleton hidden in the cupboards, love and all the drama. Obviously that can not be recorded with the camera, so instead I look for the play of shadow and light, for strong shapes and texture that can be shown so well with the strong sidelighting. I have discovered this particular ruined fort on the island of Alderney; shame it was too risky to go inside, I could have taken so many interesting shots, but unfortunately the floor and ceilings were very unstable.

Photoshop Power

2011-01-06T04:47:00.000-08:00

Photoshop - loved by some, hated by others! Purist cry "cheating", others can't have enough of the clever tools that allow them to change the reality into a different world. I myself don't venture enough into a phantasy world, but from time to time play with the powerful tools of layers, brushes and actions to change the ordinary picture into something a bit more unusual. I like a bit of blur and a bit of halo that allows me to achieve some spooky effects. Still, I believe you can't make a good picture form a bad one.

New Year Spirit

2011-01-02T02:32:00.000-08:00

Let’s start the New Year with something nice. Flowers! They can revive your spirits, spur the energy level and of course make your room look beautiful and smell excellent.The scents stimulate a lethargic mood (after all these Christmas puds and mince pies)and induce clarity. Some of the flower scents instill romanticism, some are natural sedatives. They can induce a sense of zeal to your life and invigorate the mood. All in all, flowers can reduces stress and helps your body and mind to relax. From a photographic point of view, I like close ups. For good effect I always try to find an interesting shape, good structure or strong colours.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-18T06:45:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, also in some of the less known languages!
Geseënde Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwe jaar
Gëzuar Krishtlindjet e Vitin e Ri
Gozhqq Keshmish
Bones Navidaes y Gayoleru añu nuevu!
Nedeleg laouen ha bloavezh mat
Maayong Pasko
Veselé vánoce a šťastný nový rok
Bon Nadâl e Biel An Gnûv!
Joyoza Kristonasko e Felica Nova Yaro
Masaplalang Bayung Banwa keko ngan!
Nollick Ghennal as Blein Vie Noa
Wesołych Świąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku

Me, me, me!

2010-12-14T04:10:00.000-08:00

One disadvantage of being a photographer is that I definately prefer to be behind the camera, not in front of it! That results in a very limited number of pictures of myself and of this few taken, not a lot are of high standard. To make this blog a bit more personal, I have decided to add a few shots of myself taken by my good friend Vanda. We had fantastic time this August taking pictures of ourselves in a lavender field. She is a superb wedding photographer and if anyone there is planning to get married, go to her blog, have a look at her latest work, you will not be dissapointed! http://images-in-focus.blogspot.com/

Wimbledon Common

2010-12-01T02:16:00.000-08:00

"He does not know Wimbledon Common who is not familiar with its labyrinths of leafy glades, its tangled thickets of wild red rose, bramble, and honeysuckle; who has not often traversed its turfy plateau and had the perfumes of odoriferous herbs borne in upon his senses; who has not pondered over its rusty pebble" - these words written by Johnsons in 1912 are still valid for this wonderful London suburb. It is vast, wild but easily accessible. Ponds are now frozen, leafs are falling down and I am waiting impatiently for a bit more snow to fall to change this lovely area into a magical one!

Bad weather

2010-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

There is no such thing as bad weather in photography. No sunshine? Gloomy sky? Head to the forest and parks. The subdued light will give you fantastic, saturated colours. Rain? Even better - it will make the colourful leaves stand out even more. One rule in bad weather is to avoid the sky in the photograph, as grey, dull sky is simply boring.

Stourhead

2010-11-17T03:31:00.000-08:00

Stourhead is a great garden inspired by the landscape painters of the seveneeenth century. It's italianized feel is probably influenced by the works of Claude Lorrain. All this beauty was created by a wealthy English banker who not only collected Italian pieces of art, but put a lot of money into the ground to create this well-proportioned valley behind the spelndid house. And thanks God for that, as today, photographers and not only, can admire this autumnal spectacle. Nature at it's best, I would say.

Zamoyski Palace

2010-11-07T02:24:00.000-08:00

Zamoyski Palace in Kozłówka in eastern Poland is a stunning rococo and neoclassical palace built by a talented architect, Josef Fontana in 1742. This classical suburban residence is a perfect merger of European and Polish building tradition. The first picture shows the importance of using the frames in the composition. Frames are useful for drawing attention to the main element of the picture, they improve the picture aestetically and give additional information about the place.

Wedding bliss

2010-11-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hardly ever I venture into the wedding photography world. It is such a difficult environment. One always fights with luck of time, fast pace, people getting in the way, fast blinking, difficult flash light ad even more difficult - unpredictable weather conditions. However, the satisfaction of capturing not only the beauty but also love, is simply irresistable. These pictures of the lovely bride, my beautiful niece are such a joy for me!

Dolphins

2010-10-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to stress that I oppose killing dolphins for food or keeping them in the parks for amusement, however the work of some aquariums with sick or rescued dolphins is simply unavoidable. Dolphins are the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, they have complex social structures and emotional sophistication. It has been proved that they are brighter than chimpanzees. The human-dolphins interaction is simply fantastic and to see their amazing grace and playfulness - a sheer pleasure. Let's hope one day keeping them in amusement parks and slaughtering will end.

The Coast

2010-10-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

The sunny coast of Portugal brought many photographic opportunies and many challenges. Steep walk up and down to the charming bays is good fun, but less enjoyable when you carry all your heavy photographic equipment! Even less funny was a sudden big wave in the cave, covering my precious camera totally. My frantic efforts to wipe it dry and good seals on it saved the camera from total destruction. Still, the beauty of the place is worth all the inconveniences!

Caves and pirates

2010-10-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

Near the charming fishing village of Benagil in Algarve you will encounter most astonishing caves, grottos and arches converging into an equally breathtaking landscapes. Created by ocean, wind and rain, this amazing rock formations are visited by tourists in traditional, little fishermen's boats. For an extra charge, you can get off the boat and stay on the tiny beach inside the cave and feel like a pirate looking for the hiding place for your treasures or like an adventurer looking for these treasures. You will not be dissapointed - the true treasure is the view, the semi-circle beaches and cathedral like domes lit by the shaft of light coming through the roof.

Sculptures

2010-09-27T03:50:00.000-07:00

Short trip to Portugal kept me away from the computer; it was nice to be in a sunny location when England started to become cold and wet. I have brought with me this amazing pieces of art that will last only for half a year as water and rain will dissolve them slowly. Sand sculptures - dolphins, temples, castles, pyramids - a lovely imaginery world with amazing details. They will be gone by next year, but not gone from my pictures and my mind.

Sand

2010-09-12T02:26:00.000-07:00

I think it's time to say goodbye to summer. It is still nice and warm but evenings temperatures drop down and I saw the first morning fog over the fields and rivers. Time to start looking at the tree laves, how they change the colour, but for now, one more summer memory - sandy beaches that at the right time of the day turn into a sandy sculpture, the nature's art.

Splash of colour

2010-09-03T03:51:00.000-07:00

Colours and forms are so exciting! Macro lens bring completely new world to our eyes therefore whenever I have a spare moment I try to record something new, something exciting. It can be a simple ice cube or as in this case, ball, some torches and coloured gels.

End of summer

2010-09-01T02:24:00.000-07:00

Days are shorter, nights are colder, our lovely summer is finishing. What better to cheer us up than flowers? A short visit to lovely RHS Gardens at Wisley was an unending inspiration, but this time I made my Canon 5D MK II work as a video. Faboulous quality, you have to trust me on that, as unfortunaly you will not be able to see its superb quality here; due to the size, only a low quality video was attached.

Moving images

2010-08-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the image is not enough. Sometimes I feel I need to add some movement. Hence the beginning of my moving images. Lavenderplay hopefully will recreate this magical sunny summer day.

Lovely light

2010-08-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Photographer always strives to get the best possible natural light, but when it is not possible, you need a helping hand from technology. Lowel ID video light is an amazing piece of equipment delivering fantastic light. It is dimmable, focusable, it compliments natural light but do not overwhelms it. I have achieved really pleasing results while photographing people. The only negative is the price. Steep!

Holiday food

2010-08-16T04:15:00.000-07:00

Most of us have some favourite food that we associate with holiday. I am no exception and I simply love scallops. They are served so beautifully on the Channel Islands. Fresh from the sea, quickly cooked in high temperature to sear the outside, what gives them the falvour and keeps succulent. Followed, is a simple French baguette with cheese. The choice of the cheeses in France is endless. Traditionally, there were some 350 cheeses, but now, the number exceeds one thousand! They are renown throughout the World, likewise the crusty, warm baquette. Some of these fabulous lunches during my trips are dutifully photographed before tasting, but the delay requires a strong will!

Macro trips

2010-08-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

I have developed a habit of always carrying with me a good macro lens or a longer zoom. Why? Because when the light is not ideal, I can always focus on some details that might be much more interesting than a large vista. Pictures here were taken in my beloved Cotswolds. I think they show how moundane objects, like a bicycle or a grave stone can be quite picturesque if shown in a slightly different way.

Stairs to Heaven

2010-08-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

As it is summer, I can't stop thinking about the sea. For me, spending holidays by the sea is the most relaxing time. Sea with its changing moods and colours is an endless inspiration. Perhaps the most intriguing pictures come at dusk and dawn when you can use long exposures. Exposures over 30 seconds freeze beautifully the movement of the water and give this amazing pastel colours. Shame, the cameras don't like sea spray and splashes!

Fishing ports

2010-07-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

What is it that attracts us so much to fishing boats? Is it the distant memory of the childhood holidays? An adventure of the trip to the sea! The blue colour of the sky and paint? Whatever it is, I find boats in small ports, like the one here, in Arquineguin in Gran Canaria, irresistable. The depth of field so different on each picture determines the look each of the photos. The depth of field is affected by aperture, the focal lenght of the lens and finally, the subject distance.

Arundel Castle

2010-07-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

What better to do on a sunny morning than to visit some old castle positioned picturesquely by the river? It is hard to beat the beauty of Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Bridge on the river Arun at the foot of the castle is a perfect place to admire this magnificent stronghold structure started in the Norman times. The castle, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk , with its 40 acres of gardens are not only popular with tourists but also film producers. "Young Victoria", "Henry VIII" and many more were filmed here. Charming place, no daubt.

Steel and glass

2010-07-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

The ability to see potentially interesting pictures and composing them properly is even more important than expensive lenses and cameras. The effective composition comes naturally with some people while others can learn from good examples. It helps to study best photographs and analyse what makes them outstanding. However sometimes, there is no right or wrong composition, the same object photographed from a slightly different place can be equally interesting like this steel and glass building in London.

Borrowed

2010-07-05T01:59:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a little girl and a little boy; they were brother and sister. Every holiday they spent by the sea and ever since they loved the sea very much.These pictures are not mine, they are my brother's and if you like them you can have a look at some more at his website, http://grzegorzgajewski.com. Hope you will like his pictures taken during his travels to Russia, Poland, Portugal and soon, many more.

Bruges

2010-07-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

Bruges because of its canals is often called "The Venice of the North". It is truly a magnificent town with immaculately preserved medieval town houses and bridges. There are also some neo-gothic 19th century houses seamlessly mixing with the older architecture. Night photography there can be quite tricky due to the large amount of light reflections, but with digital camera, I no longer worry about the reciprocity failure and film sensitivity, only how to stop people getting in from of the camera when I set it for 50 second exposure!

Italian accents

2010-06-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Often during my trips I ignore general views and try to find some fascinating details that might tell as much about the country as the full blown panorama. During my Tuscany adventure I have taken a lot of such pictures. Small depth of field, sharpness only on the chosen element and the rest - blurred. It puts an accent on the subject and enhances the picture dramatically. Preferably the backgroud should not be cluttered.

Summer is here!

2010-06-22T02:54:00.001-07:00

That is official! Fields are full of buttercups and poppies, even lavender started to bloom! Somehow lavender is associated with France, where it was imported from Persia, however there are some lovely lavender fields in UK, in the Cotswolds, Norfalk and even in Surrey. The lovely pale tint of violet is subtle but vivid at the same time. Oils from the flowers are used for medicinal purposes, in stress relieve and as a sedative but i think that just looking at the rows of this flowers is relaxing.

Sepia allure

2010-06-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

Following my previous post, here it is the praise for the sepia toning. I know, purist will start to shout, cheating, cheating, all done in the photoshop, but so what? Technology allows us to do it within the software, so as long as the subject goes well with sepia tone, that's what counts. Anyway, why not? Sepia toning begun in 1880s, when the pigment from Sepia officinalis (cuttle fish for me and you) started to be added to positive prints in the darkrooms. Sepia's warmer tone gives this lovely archival look of the bygone era. Like it or dislike it, it works for me!

Nostalgic Cambridge

2010-06-18T02:10:00.001-07:00

Cambridge is a delight to visit in any season, in any weather and any time of the day. Even in the rain, it can be fascinating. The King's College and Queen's College are World's premier universities. You can feel the history at every corner. Visit the museums, admire the architecture of the charming streets, have a meal in one of the old restaurants, watch the punting on the river, just take it slowly, don't rush. Imagine you are walking the streets some one hundred or even two hundred years ago; they looked almost identical. I hope my sepia toned pictures will help to imagine this place as it was then.

Corfe Castle

2010-06-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Corfe Castle makes all photographers go crazy. On approach, it suddenly appears, proud and big, sitting on top of the hill. So perfect, so photogenic! No wonder, it has been here since the Roman times, later on it was fortified by William the Conqueror. Over the years it grew to a formidable castle with a picturesque town sitting at its foot. In 1645 parlamentarians dig into the castle foundation, put explosives and demolished it badly. Ruined, with towers leaning precariously, still it draws visitors like a magnet. It looks best in the morning fog or just after sunset, but I was there on the perfect sunny day when the village fate took place. It was such fun to see children dressed up, marching bands, colourful banners, local goods on display, but even more important, to feel a true community spirit.

Treasure Island

2010-06-09T09:40:00.001-07:00

Here I am again writing about Alderney, why? Because it is very beautiul, because it has colonies of puffins and gannets, because it is famous for it's blond hedgehog and black rabbits. It is also small but has a huge breakwater, phenomenal forts and bunkers and the pace of life is so slow! It is almost crime free, nobody bothers to lock cars and homes and people are very friendly. The bays and beaches are clean and empty, no crowds, no loud tourists and scallops in my hotel were the best I have ever had! If that is not enough, there is plenty of maritime history and treasures at the bottom of the sea, so with a little of imagination, your holidays can be full of excitement.

Alderney

2010-06-03T05:29:00.000-07:00

Alderney, ahhh, my little treasure island! So beautiful, so relaxing, far from the maddening crowd! I was so lucky with the weather so basically the only filter I needed there was a polarising one. It eliminates flare caused by reflecting light from water, greenery and other shiny surfaces. It also makes the colours more saturated, darkens the sky and adds details and clarity to the picture. The filter is most effective when sunrays fall 90 degrees towards the camera.

Cameras and Maspalomas

2010-05-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Choosing the camera is an individual matter. Medium and large format cameras give undisputedly the best quality of pictures. They offer a substantial increase in image size from 35 mm cameras. Though their features have been lately improved and the design is more contemporary, but they are still slow to use and running costs are high. My preferred camera is always the one I have with me! Especially on a clear evening like this in the lovely Maspalomas of Gran Canaria.

Lenses

2010-05-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

Lenses can be divided into four groups: wide angle lenses covering 6-40mm lenses on 35 mm format, standard lenses from 40 to 80mm, telephoto lenses from 85 to 1000mm and macro lenses. Wide angle lenses give broader view than standard lenses, increase the perspective depth in the scene and create distortion of straight lines. Telephoto lenses offer much more restricted depth of field, but compress the perspective and allow to zoom on a distant subject. Macro lenses give a magnification of at least 1:2 and are constructed to focus really close. These beautiful old automobiles were taken with a standard lens.

Model, friend and photographer

2010-05-05T03:30:00.000-07:00

People photography is not my main interest, however, now and then I do jump into the opportunity to photograph some interesting faces. Often I am out in the countryside with my friend, accomplished photographer, Vanda. Our main passion is landscape, be it a seaside (my favourite subject) or Scottish Highlands (Vanda's love) but we do love to experiment with fashes, reflectors and other fascinating technique, like painting with light. Vanda is my friend and a favourite model, but she is also a superb wedding photographer, her website is: http://www.imagesinfocus.co.uk.

Metering and exposure

2010-05-04T02:33:00.000-07:00

The corrct exposre is essential for good photography. Not enough light or too much of it and a picture is over or underexposed respectively. Multi zone metering systems in DSLR cameras eliminate the majority of exposure errors, but they are prone to failure in tricky lighting. Large areas of much lighter or darker tones fool the camera's metering systems, therefore undoubtly the best way to assess properly the exposure is to use the meter measuring incident, not reflected light. These shots were taken in the Royal Palace and Park of Wilanow, Warsaw, Poland.

The rule of the third

2010-04-26T01:38:00.000-07:00

The rule of the third is a classic rule of placing the dominant element in the picture. this rule comes from Ancient Greece; used for centuries by painters, was later adopted by photographers for achieving the best proportions of the picture and the feeling of a balanced composition. Careful and creative use of it gives sense of depth, maximum emotional power and visual impact of the picture. What better place to practice the rule than in a sunny Cornwall! The lovely boats are perfect to draw the viewers attention.

Swanage

2010-04-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

Morning light is undoubtedly the best time for photography. Even before sunrise, the sky being the only source of light glows with soft pinks, purples and blues. The first sun rays are scattered around by the cold atmosphere giving us the most amazing scenes. Later on, as the sun gets higher, the colour temperature increases rapidly. The evening light is not bad as well, especially when you are in a tiny coastal town of Swanage in Dorset, but that is a subject of another post.

Kingston upon Thames

2010-04-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Kingston, my town, I like it so much! Walking in the evening on the embankment, shopping, sipping coffee in the summer in the Market Square, searching for some interesting signs of the past, all these makes it a fantastic place. It is an ancient market town and many Saxon kings were crowned here. In fact, as many as seven of them were all crowned on an imposing Coronation Stone, which survived to this day and can be seen near Guildhall. The Clatter Bridge, the first bridge built upstream from London Bridge is still intact and there are some other interesting archeological sites in the town. Worth a visit!

Paphos

2010-04-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

The long cold winter got to me and I can't stop thinking about a sunny holiday destination, like Paphos in Cyprus. This lovely little place has a charming harbour, great promenade, historical buildings, ancient mosaic floors, Byzantine Castle, The Tomb of the Kings, Temple of Aphrodite and St. Paul's Pillar - enough to keep you busy during a short stay. I haven't mentioned yet the spectacular sunsets, that captivated me every evening. Slightly elevated position just above the harbour is perfect for capturing the sun slowly disapearing in the sea and after that, what better to concentrate than at the castle dominating the harbour?

Too fast or too slow?

2010-04-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

Generally, interesting pictures are usually a result of a good planning and patience. Carefully scanning the surroundings, familiarity with the subject and choosing the right weather conditions allows treating the subject sympathetically. A slower, more systematic approach to picture taking makes me see more details and helps composing better, but there are times, when you have to forget about all the rules. Longer exposures, changing the focal lenght during the shot can create some interesting effect with otherwise quite plain subjects.

Sezincote House

2010-03-26T04:18:00.000-07:00

The Cotswolds, so very British, is it? Or is it not? you want to feel like in India, visit Sezincote House. This extraordinary mixture of Indian and English style makes your head spin! Sir Charles Cockerell, who made his fortunes in India requested the house to be build in the fashionable in the 18th century, Mogul style of Rajasthan. Later on, this house has been an inspiration to build the Royal Pavillion in Brighton. With it's turrects and Indian dome and fine garden filled with exotic statues, this place makes the photographer's heart beat faster.

Sun

2010-03-26T04:09:00.000-07:00

Sun can be your friend or your biggest enemy. It can create a flare, which is caused by the light falling onto the front element of the lens, but it can give you the most spectacular sunsets and sun reflections. I always try to increase the sun's orb by using telephoto lenses. You can see a noticeable effect above 200mm. There is however another trick in my sleeve, I use a wide aperture and focus on the foreground rather than infinity, therefore blurring the sun. One word of advice though, never look at the sun through the lens as it is dangerous to your eyes!

Ponies of New Forest

2010-03-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's impossible to write about the National Park of the New Forest and not to mention the ponies! They are the most characteristic aspect of it. Ponies, donkeys and cattle graze freely there, as they have done for centuries. There are approximately 3,000 ponies living out in the open and some as photogenic as these ones. The Red One, as I called the pony above, looks as if someone has painted it, but it is yet another trick of the light - the most wonderful sunset made it glow in red - something that can not be replicated easily in photoshop.

New Forest

2010-03-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

The New Forest became a National Park in 2005 but its name is misleading, as it is not new - in fact it is over 900 years old - and not even half of it is wooded! It consists of heathland, woodland, wetland, bogs, estuaries and grassy plains. Most of it I have managed to cover during my work on the book "A year in the life of the New Forest". I was charmed by this area unique history closely connected with smuggling, hunting, warfare and shipbuilding but even more by its wealth of flora and fauna.

Fog and mist

2010-03-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

Fog and mist are created when warm air clashes with cold ground or air; the air then condenses. Most often can be encountered in valleys and near the lakes in the spring and autumn. I am always careful with my exposure reading, as fog influences the camera reading. Usually I set up +1/2 to +1 stops to compensate for it. Fog renders mysterious mood due to narrowing of the range of colours and sometimes desaturating them.

Autumn Light

2010-03-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Autumn brings subdued light and wonderful colours. Rain saturates the colours of the leaves, therefore, for me there is no better time to photograph trees. I was very lucky to get to these locations quite early, when the light was soft and the leaves were simply phenomenal. Sturated orange and yellow are very stimulating and exciting colours. Both belong to te category of so-called warm colours and friendly to the eye, therefore people react to them positively.

Tripod, my friend

2010-03-24T02:31:00.000-07:00

I hated the idea of carrying a heavy tripod with me on my trips and walks. Now, the tripod is my best three-legged friend. It is absolutely essential in outdoor photography, especially when using telephoto lenses and when the level of light is very low. It helps to eliminate the camera shake, but also it allows me to concentrate better on the composition. The tripod also enables me to notice all imperfections and unwanted objects on the edge of the viewfinder, which are so easily omitted when shooting handheld. The most important though, is the posibility of long exposures. The longer, the better, especially by the sea; the waves disintegrate and turn into the dreamy cotton mist. Just choose the time right, set the camera for shutter speeds 30+ (seconds) and wait for the fairy image to appear in your viewfinder.

Colours

2010-03-24T02:13:00.000-07:00

Colours have powerful effects on our psyche and therefore can be used successfully to set the mood of the scene. Various colours can deliver many messages, as they are strong visual symbols. Dominating primary colours (red, yellow, blue) are best balanced with their respective complementary colours (green, orange and purple), as they enhance each other. What could be better to show colours than flowers? I am obsessed with my macro lens and spend many happy hours in botanic gardens all over Europe. My prefered choice is a very shallow depth of field which gives the picture of the petals close-ups a quality of the painting. The right amount of light is paramount, too little and the flower looks dull and boring, too much and all is lost as well. The only way to achieve good results is the difused, soft light.

Cheltenham

2010-03-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham is the most complete Regency town in England. Due to its position on the edge of the Cotswold Hills, it is called the gateway to the Cotswolds. Cheltenham famous Promenade dates back to 1818. There you can admire elegant buildings, immaculate gardens and spend lots of money in fashinable boutiques but my eyes were glued to the Neptune's fountain designed by Joseph Hall in 1893. Smaller than famous Di Trevi in Rome, but equally fascinating in a good light. I have decided to wait for the evening light as I was sure that the fountain will come to life then and get this extra dimension that only long exposure can give.

Blenheim Palace

2010-03-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Blenheim Palace is the ancestral home of the churchil family; here, Britain's greatest Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchil was born in 1874. This grand palace set in the 2500 acre park ia a World Heritage Site. The palace was built for 1st Duke of Marlborough between 1703 and 1730 by John Vanbrugh, but it's the garden and the park landscaped by celebrated 18th century Lancelot "Capability" Brown that surpassed all my expectations. I was privilaged to have the permission to enter it on one frosty January morning while working on my book about the Cotswolds. Morning frost followed by the red, spectacular sunrise made this place almost unreal. Two hours and some 100 pictures later, I have realised how cold it was and boy, the hot coffee in the palace restaurant tasted so good!

Light Fantastic

2010-03-23T03:06:00.000-07:00

It's all about light, the light enables us to see and photography records our world. The word "photograph" based on Greek words "phos" (light) and "graphe (drawing) was established in 1839 by John Hershel and means "drawing with light". Previously, images were recorded thanks to the sensitive chemicals, today we use electronic sensor of our digital cameras. The camera is however only a tool, the real master is the light and we, photographers can only strive to capture the light at its best. Here it starts my personal quest not only to record my enounters with light, but also to blog about it. There is no better place to start than my beloved London, where the night lights make this amazing city glitter and sparkle and burst with energy, where all the reflections of the city lights make the Thames look like a colourful liquid painting. So here is to light and my trusty camera!