In The Jewish Quarter

 Historically Vienna had a thriving Jewish community and this is celebrated in really cool museum in Judenplatz and just outside of this stands a very moving holocaust memorial.

The streets around Judenplatz are very atmospheric, none more so than Schulhof (the first three images) which is where there was once a school, "Schulhof" translates to "school yard".

I particularly like the third image where the sunlight reflected in the windows on the right is projected onto the walls of the church on the left.

The final image I have added as this is a square on the edge of the Jewish quarter and is home to the fire service museum. I don't think I have ever seen such a pretty fire station. I believe that the building was completed in 1730. The exhibitions are housed on the upper floors and are manned by members of the fire service and visits to the museum can be interrupted when the crews get a shout and have to go out and save lives.

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.

 

Buoy on the Beach

 I know this is a pretty mundane object and most of the time I would just walk past without a second glance however on this particular day it caught my eye and I took a couple of experimental shots. 

I think the lighting and reflection combine to create an interesting image. The bold yellow against the layers of blue work really well together.

Winter Glow

I always enjoy a woodland walk. An early start on a cold and frosty morning with the winter sun glowing through the trees are just some of the ingredients for a perfect day out.

I think these two images really capture the atmosphere of calm that I enjoyed on Saturday. I had been looking forward to getting out with my camera for a few weeks but work commitments and lousy weekend weather had put paid to any hopes I had so when the forecast showed perfect conditions on Saturday I had to go... I think these and the other shots I captured on that day were ample reward for the early start and extreme cold.

Abstract Architecture

I hinted a few days ago that I had taken some different types of image around Venice.

I wonder if you can work out what you are looking at here...

When you think about Venice you most likely think "canals" or "Gondolas" and you probably expect photos of Venice to show picture postcard images of the canals and bridges and beautiful architecture but as well as photographing all of that I wanted to show something different.

On an early morning walk around the city I had been taking pictures of a city waking up but as I was looking at the canals I spotted some wonderful reflections as the early morning sun hit the buildings and was captured in the gently rippling water. My focus shifted from the formal architecture and street scenes to these abstract views. I took a series of photographs that morning and throughout the day to capture what I think is a special view of the city. Each picture is totally unique and every time you look at them something new is revealed. As I say I took a whole series of pictures I will be sharing some of this series over the coming days so hopefully you will keep a look out for them.

This approach is something new for me and so feedback would be very welcome.

In The Fading Evening Light

Here is another view of the Castlerigg stone circle looking across to the snow covered slopes of Helvellyn.

I am drawn back to the images from my recent day in the lake district and especially to this wonderful ancient site. 

You can see how this was getting towards the end of the day as the sun was low in the sky (off to the right) and the shadows were forming on the snowy fells.  The fading light really adds to the atmosphere of this place and I wonder what might have happened here thousands of years ago when it was first constructed.

Ancient Window

There is so much about this image that I like. I really like the warm colour of the stonework, I like the rough texture of the stone where you can see the markings of the masons tools. I love the shape of the arch and the diamond pattern of the leaded window. I like the sunlight as it shines through and I can image sitting here on a sunny day looking out from the castle across the fields.

Songs From The Wood

I never tire of photographing Robins. They have such great characters, they're bold, inquisitive and sometimes cheeky. I love these shots because of the lighting, the texture of the mossy log and the green and blue background from the massed bluebells on the slope behind.

I know lots of you like to see these pictures too so I will keep on snapping Robins whenever I get the opportunity.

Beautiful Blue Heron

I haven't posted anything for a few days with going out to gigs and going camping (in spite of the weather) and so I haven't really had an opportunity. I couldn't think what to post and so browsing through my folders I came across this shot of a Blue Heron. I really like this shot, it was early evening and I love the way the evening sun was lighting up the reeds in the background. It was quite a lucky shot too as I almost walked past the small break in the reeds surrounding the lake, and I am reminded that I have to keep my eyes open all the time for great photo opportunities.

There was something quite mesmerising watching this beautiful bird standing so still and reflected in the calm water. I could have stayed for a long time watching it but as the light was fading I had to move on.

Fanning Out

I spotted this fern during a walk at Brock Bottom recently, I like the way it has opened out to welcome the sun and how it is lit up. 

At Brimham Rocks

For most of the day at Brimham Rocks the sky was dull and colourless but as it got closer to time to leave dark clouds formed in the distance but the sun also came out and lit up the rock formations. I love the contrast of the dark grey in the sky and the bright colours of the rocks.

Under Heavy Skies

An alternate title for today's blog was going to be "Breaking Through".

At the end of the day, after several hours of walking across moorland over rocky ledges and through cool woodland the final part of our day was a stretch along a narrow country lane. There had been threats of heavy rain and storms but fortunately it didn't materialise and at times the sun managed to break through and cast a golden glow upon the green fields, the moors and the valley.

In the first picture looking in the direction of Wildboarclough I love the pattern of dry stone walls.

In the second picture you can make out the rays of the sun fanning out through the clouds. I have cropped the image to cut out some lens flare but if you look at the bottom of the image there is an unusual flare like a smiley face emoticon, I have no idea how this was formed but it is genuine and not a trick of post production.

In the third picture the sun is lighting up the surface of Tittesworth reservoir, which was constructed in 1858 to supply the town of Stoke on Trent.

Out of the woods...

Today here are two shots of a gateway from Wilverley Inclosure looking out onto Wilverley Plain just outside of Brockenhurst after a walk along the edge of this woodland we entered the shaded inclosure.  I love the view looking out and the dappled greens as the sun breaks through the leaves.
Is it any wonder I love being in this wonderful place.