I particularly liked the first shot - the 'complete' view - where my eye was drawn to high rise London unfolding in the top left corner. I have always been fascinated by the way the building of different eras sit alongside each other, some contrasts more stark than others. B
Great photos. I really appreciate the subtle hues of an overcast day. It creates a feeling too. I love those Southbank buildings in every weather and season. They always feel like home. My mum used to take me there when I was young and I always felt embraced by those brutalist forms. They still have the same effect on me!
Thank you. Yes, whenever I visit London I am always drawn to the South Bank. The National Theatre is such a beautiful building. In the sun the honey coloured concrete is reminiscent of the honey coloured stone of Georgian Bath - that will be the subject of a future post once I take the right photos!
Yes. The quality of natural light sometimes presents a ´right time’ to make a photo. Usually, sunny days don’t leave much to the imagination. Or maybe I’m just a pessimist.
Indeed. This light woke me up to the fact that sunny days aren't the only day to photograph such buildings. I may be drawn to the sunny days because Brutalism is often decried as ugly and I want to show them in their best light.
For the first four years of my career, I walked in and around those buildings every day. Every corner, edge, and angle familiar to me. What is now the Imax for me is the Bullring in which I played football or when the IRA came calling, took refuge. What you see as an interesting subject on which to reflect on light and contrast I see as a familiar landscape within which I spent my youth. What we see as observers governed by that of which we have experience. This is not abstract to me, this is my early life
Taking refuge when the IRA came calling? I would like to read about your experience.
I seem recall that you worked in the IBM Building in your early days? I have some photos ready for a future post. It is being 'redeveloped' so I need to revisit soon.
Hi, it was in my early career as a Government Forensic Scientist and because of our work the IRA deemed our Lab a legitimate target. We often received bomb threats and had to evacuate to the bullring while the lab was searched. Later in my second career in the Defence industry I used to visit IBM as we did business with them. I recall an excellent restaurant opposite called RSJs in which I've had many a business lunch
That is a lovely invitation, Andrew, to take advantage of these longer evenings to reflect on what I have missed. Thank you! (Great photos too - I really must re-visit the Barbican”.
I particularly liked the first shot - the 'complete' view - where my eye was drawn to high rise London unfolding in the top left corner. I have always been fascinated by the way the building of different eras sit alongside each other, some contrasts more stark than others. B
Thanks Barrie. The London skyline is a fascinating mix of history and styles. I love walking along that River!
Great photos. I really appreciate the subtle hues of an overcast day. It creates a feeling too. I love those Southbank buildings in every weather and season. They always feel like home. My mum used to take me there when I was young and I always felt embraced by those brutalist forms. They still have the same effect on me!
Thank you. Yes, whenever I visit London I am always drawn to the South Bank. The National Theatre is such a beautiful building. In the sun the honey coloured concrete is reminiscent of the honey coloured stone of Georgian Bath - that will be the subject of a future post once I take the right photos!
You're right, that South Bank concrete can be so warm - it has never felt "brutal" to me. Looking forward to Georgian Bath!
Yes. The quality of natural light sometimes presents a ´right time’ to make a photo. Usually, sunny days don’t leave much to the imagination. Or maybe I’m just a pessimist.
Indeed. This light woke me up to the fact that sunny days aren't the only day to photograph such buildings. I may be drawn to the sunny days because Brutalism is often decried as ugly and I want to show them in their best light.
For the first four years of my career, I walked in and around those buildings every day. Every corner, edge, and angle familiar to me. What is now the Imax for me is the Bullring in which I played football or when the IRA came calling, took refuge. What you see as an interesting subject on which to reflect on light and contrast I see as a familiar landscape within which I spent my youth. What we see as observers governed by that of which we have experience. This is not abstract to me, this is my early life
Taking refuge when the IRA came calling? I would like to read about your experience.
I seem recall that you worked in the IBM Building in your early days? I have some photos ready for a future post. It is being 'redeveloped' so I need to revisit soon.
Hi, it was in my early career as a Government Forensic Scientist and because of our work the IRA deemed our Lab a legitimate target. We often received bomb threats and had to evacuate to the bullring while the lab was searched. Later in my second career in the Defence industry I used to visit IBM as we did business with them. I recall an excellent restaurant opposite called RSJs in which I've had many a business lunch
That is a lovely invitation, Andrew, to take advantage of these longer evenings to reflect on what I have missed. Thank you! (Great photos too - I really must re-visit the Barbican”.
Thank you Will - I look forward to seeing what you rediscover!