Tag Archives: winter

The Best of 2010 – Bridges


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As the year is drawing to a close, I thought I’d put together a short list of what I consider my  most memorable shots of the year. The selection is based on both viewer feedback and my own attachment to a particular shot. For behind each photograph is a story to tell, a little something for me to remember them by, and some have proven to be more memorable than others. If you have not followed my work on Flickr, this is a good sampling of my work.

I’ve decided to categorize them into such : (1) REFLECTIONS (2) BRIDGES (3) FOUNTAINS (4) LIGHT TRAILS and  (5) MY PERSONAL FAVORITES.

#2 MOST MEMORABLE BRIDGES of 2010

Where there’s a body of water, there’s usually a bridge somewhere. And in Europe there is a plethora of beautiful bridges, all filled with rich history and character. There are big-city modern bridges and small-town old-fashioned bridges. The bridge list is endless – suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, drawbridge, pedestrian footbridge, even bridges with built-in houses, shops, and a city hall.

Here are my Top Ten Most Memorable Bridges of this year.

MAINZ, GERMANY - Theodor Heuss Bridge. I had to visit this location a second time because I ran out of light the first time before I could go under the bridge. The second time I went, the river level was high so I can't go down. Wanting to be dead-center under the bridge so I can get all 4 starbursts in, I had to squeeze myself and my tripod in between a tiny spot in front of a car parked behind me and the edge of the embankment. I barely managed without falling off, but I got my shot.

[...Click for the rest of my Top Ten Bridges...]


As I Was Going to St. Ives


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St Ives Bridge is a 15th century bridge crossing the River Great Ouse. It is one of only 4 bridges in England with a built-in chapel; the other 3 are in Rotherham, Wakefield and Bradford-upon-Avon. The structure not only served as a chapel but was at different times a tollhouse, an inn, a notorious public house, and a doctor's surgery house.

St. Ives is a small little-known town in Cambridgeshire which I’m sure not many of you have either visited or seen pictures of, as I have not until last night. But I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of it. The name St. Ives has been popularized in the famous riddle or song.

St. Ives is not much of a photographic town either and not many landmarks to speak of, but there’s a bridge there that intrigued me and I wanted to give it a shot. It is the second bridge with a built-in chapel that I’ve visited this year; I believe there are only 4 of its kind here in England. The other bridge I’ve visited was in Bradford-upon-Avon. [...Wait, there's more...]


The Tree in Trafalgar Square


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You’ve probably watched or read the news about the student protests in London the other day, which turned pretty violent, even putting Prince Charles and Camilla in harm’s way as they drove down Regent Street. Students rallied the streets hours after the House of Commons announced a triple tuition hike in universities. They even set fire to the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square which fortunately police had stopped before it completely burned down. See: Student protesters set fire to Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

I had planned on shooting the tree at Trafalgar Square the same night, and had been looking forward to it since the lighting ceremony last week, but decided to do it the next day. Reading the news that night, I was worried that the tree would not be there anymore, but still went to see it anyway. Getting there the next day, clean-up crew and repairmen were on the scene fixing the lights on the Christmas tree while I patiently waited. Even with a back-up plan, I still had my mind set on this. Fortunately, they had the tree back to normal in time for twilight, which was just before 4 p.m. Inspite of that, I still found it challenging to shoot there as there were many distractions: scaffolding on the left side of the National Gallery, the work crew had not left yet, and some news reporters and carolers were on one side of the tree setting up stage. Not to mention, the light in the sky was not ideal. But I did manage somehow.

The Trafalgar Square tree is typically a 50 to 60-year old Norwegian spruce and stands about 20 meters tall. It is an annual gift of Norway as a token of gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during World War ll.

At the base of the tree stands a plaque, bearing the words: "This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45. A tree has been given annually since 1947."

The famous fountains of Trafalgar Square were originally constructed to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon. The two fountains feature mermen and mermaids alongside dolphins, sculpted in bronze.

Looking down to Big Ben from the steps of the National Gallery.


My Security Pals


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Another visit to London on a cold wintry day. Temperature was 27 °F  (-2 °C)  with a windchill of 26 °F  (-3 °C). Snow flurries danced their way around the city around noon, but they fizzled away quickly. I was hoping I’d get enough snow on the ground for a better winter scene but that means I’d be colder, so I guess it was just fine the way it was, for now.

It’s no secret that London is tight on security and not very photographer-friendly, but I did not know it was going to be this irksome especially if you come 80 miles away only to be told to pack up and go. I’ve never had to watch my back all the time while shooting – except maybe when I was in Manila Bay at dusk, surrounded by curious bums and squatters, but that’s another story. Taking pictures is starting to feel like a crime around here.

I did not expect to have 3 brushes with security within the next 24 hours. Sometimes it just doesn’t make any sense but there’s nothing one can do, except sneak in a couple of shots when no one’s looking.

Anyway, here are my latest conversations with my security pals:

In Somerset House–

It was still about half an hour before twilight and I was doing test shots handheld at the ice rink when I was approached by female security.

“Ma’am, what’s that for?” She was referring to the GND filter I had in front of my lens.

“It’s a filter,” I replied.

“Yeah, but what does it do?”

I was a little confused about why she was interested, but I explained, “It just balances the light, that’s all.”

“What are you going to do with the pictures?” She asked.  With the tone in her voice, I now know where this was going.

“They’re just tourist shots, that’s all,” I reasoned. “It’s just a hobby.”

“I need to talk to my manager,” she said. “You’re not allowed to use professional cameras here.”

And off she went to get her manager while in the meantime, I sneaked in a couple more shots until the big boss came and just further emphasized what the other woman just told me.

So off to Westminter at twilight–

There were a few tripod-huggers at the promenade by London Eye up  to the steps of Westminster bridge, but of course I had to be the one spotted right away.

“You’re not allowed to use that here,” he pointed to the tripod I had already set up. “But,” he continued very reassuringly, ” you can take shots on the bridge if you want.”

It was only about 20 steps to the bridge from where I was, so is it me or, I find no logic in that?

Anyway, that was it for my rendezvous with my new friends in London, but the following day at the mall in Bluewater 20 miles outside of London, I was taking shots of the Winter Wonderland scene when I got another visit.

“Can I see your press pass, please?” my new friend asked.

Press pass - I thought to myself – that’s a pick-up line I haven’t heard before. “I’m sorry what?” I asked. I had just taken 6 shots of the scene.

She repeated herself and I innocently replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t have one.”

“You’re not allowed to take photos here,” she said, “We have our own media people doing that.”

“I didn’t know, sorry.” And I said, with what’s becoming my new alibi-of-the-day, “It’s just a hobby.”

“Can I see what you’ve just taken?” She asked.

I turned my camera on and pressed playback. I showed her the last photo I took, “Just that one, is that okay?”  I lied, then I turned my camera off.

“I want to see you put your camera away,” she then said. A little bit too harsh, don’t you think?

So I put my camera back in the bag while she watched, folded up my tripod, and sulked.

Poor me :(

Taken early afternoon with heavy clouds and freezing temperature. There's no shortage of double-deckers in London so it's always fun to do this. I took this handheld at CH (burst) mode, 5fps. 1/8 sec @ f/20, ISO 200.

Classic Westminster bridge and Houses of Parliament scene. It was not allowed to use a tripod from where I stood here, but it's okay on the bridge.

Dreary, cold and gray afternoon in the city.

At Bluewater. Poorly-composed shot I know, but I was just getting started when I was interrupted. This is the kind of blue hour I thrive for - nice, rich, cold winter blue. The cone-shaped tree on top changes color every few seconds. There was more of this Winter Wonderland but I never got the chance to shoot it.


Night in Newmarket


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Since it’s the first day of December today, I thought it’ll be fitting to post a Christmas scene, taken just last night in the thriving city of Newmarket. I hope I can keep up with these wintry scenes though – it’s not a joke to be out there in the bitter cold, and I can’t stress that enough.

Newmarket is one of those secondary cities that’s much less glamorized than London for example, but that definitely is not an excuse to not visit. I actually favor shooting these lesser-known and lesser-visited places because I have more of a palette to work from. You don’t see a lot of photographs of them in the web, and sometimes that’s a good thing. Winter is also my favorite time of the year to shoot, oddly enough. The skies are pure and cleaner and I get better blues at twilight. But it’s also the most challenging time to be out there and it takes more out of you to get motivated. I just have to remind myself to keep my eyes on the ball all the time.

Fun Fact about Newmarket : Newmarket is the mecca of English horse racing, with this sport dating back to 1174. There are more than 2,500 horses with most stables located in the centre of the town.

Newmarket's iconic landmark, the clock tower in High Street which was built by Richard Arber, celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1887 although it was officially opened in 1890. It takes 115 turns to fully wind the clock every week.

Rush hour at the roundabout.