One of the attractions of Bordeaux is the Miroir d’Eau. It makes an interesting sight when the water spray creates a misty cloud, and a perfect mirror when the spray dies down. Add to that a fairground, just beyond, and you have to go for a walk at night. Daytime reflections also work, but you will have to wait for that image…
I am annoyed with myself. One step to the left would have made a huge difference, but I am not sure it was possible. Anyhow, as mentioned in the previous post, at sunset there was an art display projected on to the Opera House. The display was called Water Light, by an artist called Badu Gili.
St David’s is a city in Wales and is the smallest cathedral city in the UK based on population count. I thought it was really kind of them to name a city after me, so had to visit. Normally I tend to go for the stained glass windows, but this suspended sculpture caught my eye. I really liked the contrast between the cold wall framing the warmer interior, caused both by the lighting and the warmth of the wooden sculpture.
Another year has almost passed where I have not taken advantage of the shorter day to get out early for some sunrise shots. So, as we hopefully draw to the end of winter, this one is a reminder that I am actually capapble of getting up early.
Flowers are something I find difficult to photograph. Luckily this display was so big I was able to treat it as a landscape… For those that are in the UK these are a very small part of the snowdrop trail at Hopton Hall near Matlock. There is a 1.5 mile snowdrop trail winding through the grounds, and it really is the best display I have seen. Open every day in February, if you are interested.
As I wrote the title for this post I was reminded of “while my guitar gently weeps” lyrics. And then of the cover version with Prince’s guitar solo. Definitely worth a listen. But I digress.
I took this at Gloucester Cathedral, where there is a conveniently placed mirror. The original photo was ok, but when I turned it upside down it improved tremendously. Try standing on your head to have a look, and see if you agree.
Maybe less controversial than the last post. Watching the gannets makes such a brilliant way to pass the time. Bempton Cliffs on the east coast of England is a prime location for numerous birds, but the gannets are definitely the best performers.
Pastel petals swirl,
A gift of love and beauty.
Short-lived but heartfelt.
Not often I take photos of flowers, but when your wife says she really likes the roses there is some level of obligation. So I did.
And, out of interst, do you take photos or make them? Unless I am making something in photoshop like Adamsky effects, I take photos. I find it a little pretentious when someone presents a straight out of camera landscape they “made”. Just my opinion.
Sitting on a branch
Relaxing in the sunshine,
Waiting for a fish.
I really like the Adamsky effect as a method of removing distractions for a more minimalist look. Not pure photography, but then what is? I have seen several methods for doing this on t’Interweb, and have settled on an amalgamation of a few. Maybe I should write a tutorial, but then people might think I know what I am doing. Can’t have that.
Hardly a blanket.
Just a light dusting of snow
On a woodland walk.
Happy 2026, assuming you use the same calendar as I do. Yesterday I made an error of judgement. Normally, when we get a touch of snow in Nottingham, it is the Peak District to the west that gets it heavier. So We drove out to Upper Moor, hoping for a nice snowy shot, suitable for next year’s Christmas card. Virtually nothing. Not enough of nothing that it was a wasted trip, and the walk followed by a pub lunch made for a really good day, but not what I was expecting.
Then when I watched the news in the evening, it was the East that got all the snow, and I had gone in precisely the wrong direction. Still managed a couple of images, and hopefully more snow on the way.
