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On Reflection

26/9/2011

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Picture
7 More London, London, UK
I am finding myself drawn to light and reflections lately. My rather faint awareness of More London came to a crashing end during the last couple of weeks as I have started exploring the area.

Sitting on South Bank, the south side of the Thames, and running between Tower Bridge and Hayes Galleria, this complex of shiny, ultra-modern buildings - designed by Foster and Partners - has captured my eye and imagination.

I can sometimes find modern office complexes rather sterile in their bold, if not grandiose, statements in steel and glass. They often lack texture of buildings not made of glass. However, there can be a playful side to them in reflecting the world around them. 

Picture
3 More London, London, UK
One of my favourite images is of London’s City Hall reflected in 3 More London. The City Hall building is reflected twice, and does start challenging reality.

It’s a photograph that could have been easily altered or set up – it hasn’t been altered in Photoshop in any way. It is easy in this day in age to be cynical enough to think that this photo hasn’t been altered.

As a photographer, I love these sorts of photos – impromptu photos that fall into your lap. I couldn’t walk by and not take the photo. It was too striking, and challenging. Although it’s not perfect – it’s not straight, and had momentarily wished for a camera with shift movements – the reflections make up for this.

I am sure I’ll keep discovering, and rediscovering More London and the surrounding area. 
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Economic Force

18/9/2011

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Canary Wharf, London, UK
London’s Docklands and the Isle of Dogs have been a favourite of mine to photograph. It’s steeped in economic history, and has morphed from water trade to a financial district to rival the City of London.

The docks were formerly part of the Port of London, at one time the world's largest port. They have now been redeveloped principally for commercial – mainly in Canary Wharf - and residential use.

I happened to revisit the area a few days ago, and passing through Canary Wharf, I took a slight detour through the shopping centre to have look at some of the concrete and steel of the office buildings. I am sure that it is a sharp contrast to warehouses and docs that were there previously. However, glass buildings seemed to be the new warehouses of London’s economic power – albeit now trading in a very different way. 

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Canary Wharf, London, UK
I wanted to explore more as I hadn’t been to this part of the Canary Wharf, but didn’t have enough time. On a way to a friend’s house, I came across a part of the Isle of Dogs I had photographed many years ago. Overlooking the south of the Thames River – towards Greenwich and the O2 Centre – I snapped a few shots on my point and shoot as dusk drew in. 
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The industrial landscape, the growing dusk with the incoming clouds had created a very different and moody atmosphere – contrasting the shiny and reflective modern buildings.

What struck me was this contrast. The new economic trading reality replacing the old industrial one. And the new money pushing out the East End’s working class. While the new architecture celebrates the new way of making money, the old industrial and shipping past seems to seep through; hanging on and serving as a reminder of where Britain’s economic wealth had come from.

I am sure I’ll be back with my camera – many more times. 
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Standing at Time Nought

11/9/2011

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Picture
Greenwich Park, London, UK
Greenwich Park is another one of my favourite parks in London.

Several historic buildings are based in Greenwich Park, including the Old Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House.

Standing at the footsteps of the Royal Observatory, one can have an eagle-eyed view of London’s skyline.

The Royal Observatory is home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line and was founded by Charles II in 1675. It is, by international decree, the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium (at the stroke of midnight GMT as measured from the Prime Meridian).

Pausing at time zero a few weeks ago, I enjoyed the moody view of London. The darkening sky threatened rain, but the pulse of London continued on. The modern office towers in Canary Wharf and the City of London contrasted the timelessness of the Royal Observatory and the Park. You could feel time ebbing and flowing onwards. 

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This view of London, regardless of the weather, is a favourite of mine. I used to live just across the Thames on the Isle of Dogs and spent much time in the Park – admiring the view. I feel myself drawn back to relook and re-photograph it. Like life, the view is ever changing, however subtle.

I am sure that I will be back to look at the view it again. 
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    Author

    Heather Martin is a London based photographer who specialises in architectural, event and B&W film photography.

    For more info, please to the About page.

    **Heather Martin owns the copyright to all the photographs and text within this blog, unless otherwise stated.

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