Beyond the Lens
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Website
  • Prints
  • Bookshop
  • Social Media

Shortening of Days

10/11/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Now that we’re in November, the days are shortening and a chill is in the air. I love photographing in the autumn and winter as the light is softer and the shadows longer. The light looks different and gives photographs a different feel.

Like many, I also find it a difficult as I do miss not having more sunshine. While the winter light allows for a different feel for photos, I also find myself running around trying to make the most of the light, or the lack of it.

Light is something we take for granted during the summer, and I have really started appreciating the different seasons – both in terms of a change in the weather, but also in the light. Each season has its own character, and cities, towns and rural communities revolve around the seasons too.

The last couple of years, I haven’t taken as many photos during the winter as I would have liked, and am hoping that this year won’t repeat this. It’s a time of year where I am particularly pensive and allow my creativity to reflect.

Perhaps this may be the reason why I haven’t taking as many photos in the last couple of winters. What I find works best is to allow the creative juices to flow freely and not force them. 


0 Comments

Winter Sun

17/2/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Crystal Palace Park, London, UK
The sun can be scarce in London, particularly during the winter months. However, today was what seemed to be a rare day full of sunshine. While I didn’t really feel like taking photos when I got up, I did make my way towards Crystal Palace Park. 

There are many places in London I can easily go back and photograph many times and at any of the year. It’s one of the few places, however, that I can go and photography when I am in a period of contemplation with my photography – like I am now. 

With winter, the park is in slumber, and I find that I am very attracted to it. The long shadows play well with the dull colours and sleeping nature. I didn’t wander very far today and walked through the part with the dinosaurs. 

Before I went to the park, and even on route, I felt tired and not quite in the mood. However, I did have a sense that I needed to get this out of my system, even if my photos didn’t turn out. I am not sure whether they have or not – I was shooting on film, and the photo above is one I took last winter. 

After having a cup of tea in the café and read part of the Sunday paper, I felt a lot better. I am sure the photos I took en route to the café turned out fine, but the mere act of just doing my photography and letting it be without any pretention or pretext was great, and felt wonderful. I just looked and was in the moment. 

I hope the photos show this, even a little bit. 

0 Comments

Mid-Winter

21/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Woodbrooke, Selly Oak, UK
There is something magical about snow. Growing up in Canada, winter wouldn’t be winter without months of snow. There were mounds of it, for months. The first snowfall often made children (both young and old) excited. Parks filled up with sledges and toboggans. 

Living for a number of years in London, winter mainly brought rain and dampness, along with copious amounts of tea to keep warm. The last few years, however, winter has brought snow – even for a few days. 

For nearly a week now, much of the UK has had significant amounts of snow. While it’s not as much as there would be in Canada, it has certainly brought memories of Canadian winters. There has certainly been some travel chaos, closed schools and quite a few children sledging. 

I managed to get to Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Selly Oaks, near Birmingham last weekend for a course. Getting there and back was a journey in itself, but well worth it. The grounds at the Centre certainly offer an oasis, and with all of the snow a wintery one. 

I have been to Woodbrooke a couple of times before – in spring and autumn. The grounds (as well as the Centre) provide a tranquil space, but in the snow, there was a different kind of peacefulness. The grounds provided a certain stillness in the snow. Nature was in a deep slumber. 

Walking mindfully around the grounds, I enjoyed the stillness and quiet. It was a quiet meditation in the snow – allowing the freshness of the cold air to fill my lungs and to walk on the powdery blanket of snow. 

Picture
Woodbrooke, Selly Oak, UK
0 Comments

Winter Light

9/12/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dover Castle, Kent, England
As a photographer, I notice how the change in seasons affects the sunlight. The sun’s position changes throughout the year, and I enjoy capturing this in my images. A harsh summer light contrasts a soft winter light. The longer summer days give me a much longer time to photograph while a shorter winter day has me chasing its shadows. 

I find myself the most creative in the winter light. My leanings are toward black and white photography, and so light for me essential. The gentle and moody winter light shines highlights onto the season’s harshness. 

I am drawn to the shadows and the moodiness of the seasons. While visiting Dover a year ago, I was able to play around with sunlight, and shadows. I enjoyed the capturing the moodiness of the season on the windswept Dover Castle. 

Picture
Dover Castle, Kent, England
0 Comments

Winter’s Shadows

26/11/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greenwich Park, London, UK
The seasons for me are very much about light, and shadows. In spring and summer, the days are getting longer and the sun stronger. In autumn and winter, the days are getting shorter and the sun softer. 

I often find myself drawn to taking photos in the autumn and winter. I love how the softer light falls onto my surroundings, casting shadows on its way. The light lends itself well to light and shadows. Whether I am using black and white or colour, I often play with light and shadow, as well as geometry. 

I was fortunate a number of years ago to live not far from Greenwich. I often found myself wandering Greenwich Park with my camera – whatever the season. One sunny winter day, I was really drawn to the bare trees and the shadows that were being cast in the Park. 

Wandering a park with such history where the trees held such secrets made me wonder about those who passed through it, and under its trees, in past times. The histories of yesteryear were hidden in the bark and shadows of the trees. I am sure the trees have seen many seasons, and in the slumber of winter, I was drawn to taking their picture. 

I find photography can be quite reflective, and often abstract, when I play with light and shadows. This is perhaps reflected in the photos I take during winter. A number of people have said to me that winter is probably not the best time to photograph, but I disagree. It’s one my favourite times. I find things much more subtle, and a time to be a bit more reflective. 


0 Comments

Inclement

12/2/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dover, England, UK
Visiting Dover a few weeks ago, the weather was typically wintry for January. Inclement in a tempestuous sort of way. Stormy clouds threatened with sunshine breaking through at times, or even lighting the clouds from above.

I felt drawn to photographing the sea and the landscape, as well as the surrounding city – particularly from Dover Castle. How could I not? It almost felt rude not to. The city, the sky and the seafront spoke, and I listened.

The sun and clouds danced with each other while the light and shadows played on the earth below. Life went on in it, whatever it decided to do.

I found the results rather dramatic. The ship sailing through stormy waters with the sun bouncing off the clouds above.

A rugged stone wall with plants trying to hug the storm-cloud sky. 

Picture
Dover Castle, Dover, England, UK
And a valley lighting up with rays of light. 
Picture
Dover, England, UK
The photos would have worked well in either black and white or colour, but I had run out of black and white film. I think it worked well, and am happy with the nuances the colour film brings. The photos would have had a different stormy feel in black and white, but colour portrays another side of the tempestuous weather. 
0 Comments

Cold Beauty

5/2/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hertfordshire, England, UK
On a recent ramble between Welwyn North and Hertford North, a group of us wrapped up for a chilly walk through the beautiful Hertfordshire landscape. I am not familiar with the counties lying north of London, but enjoyed exploring what Hertfordshire had to offer.

The near freezing temperatures gave a beautiful, crisp atmosphere. The crispness of the air, the frost on the ground and the fogginess lent itself to being photographed. The trees and the frost covered fields contrasted against the chilly fog.

There was a certain sleepy stillness on the walk, and the smell of log fires added to the atmosphere. 

Picture
Hertfordshire, England, UK
There is something magical about winter scenes. Often they are associated with Christmas, but we tend to forget that winter lasts past Christmas.


I enjoy taking photos when it’s crisp and cold outside – although it can be a bit difficult on the fingers. 
0 Comments

Watchful Eyes

15/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Crystal Palace, London, UK
The Sphinx statues in Crystal Palace Park are remnants of the park’s glory days when it was the Victorian playground - a playground which housed The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936.

The Park may not be as glamorous now as it was when The Crystal Palace stood in its boundaries, but its charm and character draws me back. The graffiti-ed Sphinx statues, the crumpling statues and stairs, and anatomically incorrect dinosaurs are reminders of Victorian grandeur, curiosity and scientific thought.

I have photographed Crystal Palace Park in all seasons, and have enjoyed the changing moods, colours and difference in light. While I enjoy photographing the dinosaurs, I am increasingly drawn to the other side of the park, which isn’t as maintained as the area of the dinosaurs. The decaying grandeur of the statues and stairs draw me in.

A week ago, I was walking through the park and taking photos along the way. I was enjoying a bustling park on a Saturday afternoon with nature in slumber. The muted colours gave me a subtle palate to work with, and accented the crumpling remnants of Victorian splendour. The 2 films I was shooting on focused my attentions on what really caught my eye.

I was photographing the Sphinx statues, and was really enjoying the light falling across the faces of a couple of them. I was particularly drawn to one. Its eyes had been drawn in with black marker – making them look less dead. The statue looked as though it was still surveying the park from its perch. The statue has seen many changes since it was placed in the park – and I am sure that it will bear witness to future changes.

For me, the eyes drew me in – and I could relate at its gaze. The parallel is I often feel like I am perched somewhere taking photos of what is around me. I have sometimes gone back to re-photograph something or an area and have picked up something different or any change that has happened – however subtle. 

0 Comments

Mid Winter Light

8/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Westfield Shopping Centre, London, UK
I was passing through Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush, West London recently, and they still had their Christmas lights up. It was just after Christmas, and I had a slight ‘after-the-event’ feeling.

With the build up to Christmas – as with other religious celebrations around this time of year, there is such emphasis on light and colour to offset the darkness and bleakness of mid-winter. I really appreciated that the lights were still up at the shopping centre because the days are still rather short.

The lights at the shopping centre were just asking me to take a picture of them. The pictures I took were snaps as I didn’t have much time. However, I did managed to get a few that I really liked.

Picture
Westfield Shopping Centre, London, UK
Not all of my photos turn out when I am taking them in haste, but sometimes I do get some that turn out quite nicely. The nice thing about digital is I can delete any that I don’t think – although, I have deleted some I liked in haste, which can be irritating!

I am sure that the Christmas lights will slowly disappear over the coming days and weeks – not only at Westfield’s, but around London. My Christmas tree has finally been tucked away.

I find there is a certain sadness to putting away the lights – I wish to hold onto them when the nights are so long.
0 Comments

White Christmas

26/12/2010

0 Comments

 
Picture
Crystal Palace Park, London
Snow in London isn't a usual event in London, particularly at Christmas. There wasn’t much, but as a Canadian, I did feel at home with some of the white stuff on the ground.

The images we have of Christmas in the West is of holey, Christmas tree, lights, family, carols, food, drink, presents, amongst other things …. and snow. In Canada, it’s hard to miss snow at Christmas. It’s something that’s taken for granted.

But is snow really all that important at Christmas?

It depends really on what you expect and want at Christmas. Many countries never see or experience snow. Many do.

I feel rather ambivalent about snow, which may sound strange considering where I come from. Snow can be beautiful and pristine when it first falls, but can quickly turn into slush, and become dirty. After months of snow, it can becoming a bit tiresome, unless you’re into winter sports like skiing or sledging.

That said, I don't mind getting my fingers frozen and nearly frost bitten to capture the beauty of snow. It’s character is quite contradictory. It can be fluffy, and yet also have a crispness and frostiness to it.

It’s character is so dependent on the weather and how the air is at a particular time. In many ways, it reflects what the atmosphere feels like.

I can quite happily photograph snow in either black & white or in colour. Snow itself can be a bit bland so I am often finding myself trying to find some contrast. This can take shape in playing with light, or finding a leaf on the ground or in a fence.

Snow gives you a very white and blank canvas to let your imagination run riot.

0 Comments
<<Previous

    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.

    Archives

    August 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010

    Categories

    All
    Annie Leibovitz
    Anton Hammerl
    Architecture
    Art
    Art Deco
    Autumn
    Barcelona
    Bath
    Battersea
    Beckenham
    Birmingham
    Book
    Borough Market
    Brick Lane
    British Museum
    Brixton
    B&W
    Byland Abbey
    Canada
    Canary Wharf
    Castle Howard
    Cathedral
    Celebrity
    Cemetary
    Channel 4
    Charing Cross
    Christmas
    Church
    City
    Clapham
    Colour
    Copyright
    Covent Garden
    Crystal Palace
    Daniel Libeskind
    Death
    Diana
    Digital
    Dover
    Dover Castle
    Dulwich Wood
    Edinburgh
    Edinburgh Castle
    Eltham Palace
    England
    Euston Station
    Exhibition
    Film
    Fisheye
    Folkestone
    Foster And Partners
    Fujifilm
    Games
    Gaudi
    Gothic
    Graffiti
    Greenwich
    Hampshire
    Hastings
    Hertfordshire
    Home
    Hoxton
    Ilford Film
    Iphone
    Isle Of Dogs
    Joseph Paxton
    Journey
    Katharina Fritsch
    Kent
    Kodak
    Law
    Light
    Lip
    Liverpool
    Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
    Lomography
    London
    London 2012
    London Bridge
    London Eye
    London Underground
    Lothian
    Mallorca
    Marketing
    Modern
    More London
    Motif
    Museum
    Museum Of Civilization
    Museum Of London
    Nathan Coley
    National Sports Centre
    Nature
    Niagara Falls
    Olympics
    Online
    Open House London
    Oscar Wilde
    Ottawa
    Paparazzi
    Photojournalism
    Photo Manipulation
    Police
    Power
    Privacy
    Project
    Public Places
    Quakers
    Quebec
    Railway Stations
    Ramblers
    Reflection
    Renzo Piano
    Riots
    River Thames
    Royal Arsenal
    Royal Liver Building
    Royal Ontario Museum
    Rural
    Salisbury Cathedral
    Scotland
    Seo
    Shadow
    Shepherds Bush
    Side Streets
    Sir Giles Gilbert Scott
    Snow
    Somerset
    South Bank
    South Downs
    Spain
    Spirituality
    Sports
    Spring
    Stairs
    St James
    Stonehenge
    St Pancras Station
    Street Art
    Street Photography
    Summer
    Sunflower
    Surrey
    Sussex
    Sydenham Hill Wood
    Technology
    Terrorism
    Texture
    Thames
    The Crystal Palace
    The Shard
    Tim Hetherington
    Toronto
    Tower Bridge
    Train
    Transport
    Uk
    Urban
    Valentine
    Velvia
    Viaduct
    Walter Aubrey Thomas
    Wapping
    War
    Water
    Waterloo
    Weather
    Westfield Shopping Centre
    Westminster
    William Pye
    Wiltshire
    Winter
    Winter Solstice
    Woodbrooke
    Woolwich
    York
    York Minster
    Yorkshire

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.