Cool Metallic Reflection

Firstly, I know I said in my last post that I would share some pictures from inside the Museum of Liverpool, specifically I was going to show some pictures of the cool curves of the spiral stairway, however when I looked at the images this morning I wasn't convinced I liked them enough to share so I have decided to go with something different.

The images above are almost identical except for the fact that one is in full colour and the other is monochrome. The exposure and contrast are slightly different in each image too.

The buildings in this image are along the Strand in Liverpool overlooking Kings Dock. There was a thin film of ice on the water which the bright sun had not managed to melt. The sun reflecting off the side of one of the buildings gives the water a metallic quality which I think is really nice.

I hadn't noticed at the time I took the pictures but the pillars supporting the building in the centre of the shot are much like the pillars which support power station cooling towers.

 

Historic Docks

 

I know that by experimenting I will improve my photography so recently I have been practicing with long exposures and night time photography and I am enjoying the results, hopefully you are too. 

As well as extending the exposure times I have also tried using different settings for the white balance and if you compare the first image with one of the similar shots I posted yesterday you will be able to see the difference quite clearly.

In the second of today's pictures I am looking into the heart of the dock. At one time this would have been full of ships unloading and loading their cargoes and there would have been a real energy to the place. Now there is a maritime museum, the Tate Gallery, boutiques and bistros and the warehouses are now loft apartments and the only boats to moor here are pleasure craft.

If you look carefully in the second image you will see a couple of light traces on the water. These were caused by a group of kayakers who were exploring the docks after dark. I can imagine it is quite an experience to do that and although I was surprised to see them I wouldn't mind having a go at that myself.

Port of Liverpool

I almost didn't post anything today but decided that I would post this one for the happy memories associated with it.

This is the central some of the magnificent Port of Liverpool building at the pier head, one of Liverpool's famous "Three Graces" and one of the buildings that earns Liverpool waterfront World Heritage status.

I saw this for the first time when I came to Liverpool as a student and a fellow student known affectionately as "Tall Paul" who had grown up in the Dingle area of the city took it upon himself to give me a tour of the sights.

That was in 1990 and I had never gone back until a couple of weeks ago when I passed through the building on the way to choose my daughter's wedding dress.

The Three Graces

Ok so here is the last of my Liverpool waterfront series. I really like the way the setting sun sets off the famous Three Graces. 

World Heritage Night

My third view of Liverpool at night. I love this panorama of Liverpool's illuminated waterfront. I have kept quite a lot of the river in the foreground because I like the reflected glow. 

I first came to Liverpool in 1990 and in the past 27 years the city has changed so much. There has been lots of investment and growth in the city centre and gradually the development is  moving outwards. The skyline has changed and the famous three graces (The Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building) have become surrounded by some amazing new buildings. 

On one side there are hotels and offices and on the other there is the fantastic Open Eye Gallery at Mann Island and on the waterfront there is the Museum of Liverpool. I love the city and I am proud to be here. I love this view and hope you enjoy it too.

Night Lights

Yesterday I went down to the waterfront near the woodside ferry terminal with a purpose. I wanted to get some good shots of the Liverpool waterfront which is a world heritage site and a beautiful site in different light conditions. 

I had a specific project in mind and set up my camera on its tripod to take a series of shots over long period of time and as the sun set and the city lights came on I was gearing up for the final elements of my project. But the Stena Line's "Stena Mersey" hove into view.

I was pretty fed up at that point as I thought my project was going to be a failure but I think with some careful cropping I should be able to salvage something. In the meantime while I work on that I have a few other shots to share and to start with I have decided to use this image of the night time sky line and incorporate the huge ferry which was the source of my distress. 

I love the colours in this shot and the bright highlights from the ships lights and the glow from the buildings on the opposite bank. I used my 24 - 105 mm lens at 32mm f16 and ISO 400 and a shutter speed of 0.4sec. The slow shutter speed has given a smooth texture to the surface of the river which had been churned up by the ferry.

World Heritage Site

A little while ago I was asked if I had any pictures of the Liverpool waterfront and I realised that I didn't so this weekend I went down to the riverside to practice getting some shots of the skyline. The sky was really overcast, it was very windy and it was bitterly cold so far from ideal conditions but I think the clouds make a dramatic backdrop.

The skyline along Liverpool's waterfront have changed dramatically over the past 20 yearsor so with the development of high rise hotels and apartments, the museum of Liverpool and the Open Eye Gallery, modern architecture contrasting with the elegance of the famous "three graces".

I will be going back to take more pictures another day, but hopefully when conditions are a bit brighter.

Disney Magic

Here's a little bit of magic and sparkle for a Monday to get your week off to a bright start.

This is my first attempt at photographing fireworks and I know they're not the best shots possible but they could be a lot worse. My problem was that I hadn't set the focus quite right or perhaps I had the shutter open a fraction too long and that allowed too much camera shake. But hey I shouldn't put myself down, for  first attempt I'm fairly pleased.

The Liverpool waterfront is a spectacular sight and for one night only the Disney Magic Cruise Liner was moored at the Pierhead and just before it's departure the crowds on both sides of the Mersey who had turned out to see were treated to a short firework display. 

You can see just how big the ship is in comparison to the three graces  (The Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port Of Liverpool Building) just ahead of its' bow in the first picture. 

The number of kids (and big kids) drawn to see this, because it's Disney was quite something and I am sure that the next time it comes in there will be more people to welcome it.

As for me, well I will be looking out for more firework displays so that I can get some more practice. I am sure that I can get some cracking shots if I try a bit harder next time.