South Bank Saturday

Last Saturday found us on London's South Bank. We were up to go to the theatre, twice! Once at the Young Vic and once at the National, great performances but maybe something for another post.

We arrived in time to have a wander round and for me to practice my newly found street photography skills.

To give a bit of context for those of you who haven't visited, London's South Bank is a huge arts centre with the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, British Film Institute and more huddled together next to Waterloo Bridge. The first buildings including the Festival Hall were erected to celebrate the Festival of Britain in 1951 which was supposed to cheer everyone up in the face of ongoing post-war rationing and shortages. Researching the Festival of Britain I came across this mini documentary that was just delightful and I would urge to to give it a try. It's interesting to compare the visitors then and now!

This is an edited version of the 1952 film in which Sir Hugh Casson and Patrick O'Donovan look back to the Festival of Britain on London's South Bank. We have cut descriptions of the architecture and how it would help design Britain's new towns.

Looking out over the river from the South Bank you get a wonderful view of St Paul's

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There are always lots of people at the South Bank on weekends

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people chilling, eating, out with their dogs.

Even more than usual because of the Christmas Market

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I have a soft spot for anyone with pink hair for obvious reasons!

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People are dressed in a variety of styles, there are families 

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and couples.

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And around the back of the Festival Hall away from the river, a 'Real Food' market

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Something for everyone on the South Bank on a Saturday afternoon!

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Time and Place

I am now drawing towards the end of Kat Sloma's 'Sense of Place' class. The theme for this week is time, inviting us to compare photographs we have taken over time in the same location. My first thought was to use photos taken in my garden, but after a review of my photos I  realised that one place I visit and photograph on a regular basis  is London's South Bank at Waterloo. 

I am going to start in the spring. These pictures were taken in April 2012 shortly after the announcement of a hose pipe ban due to the drought - hasn't really stopped raining since!

Despite the floods the carousel and the stunt riders were going strong.

Moving on to early summer there's lots to capture - to begin with a whole crop of new installations appeared.

My installation of the year was these green colanders - I never did find out exactly what they were supposed to represent ​

Into high summer and a faux beach with brightly coloured sand appeared, housing a children's playground. There were wedding parties in fancy dress and this rather splendid motorcycle and sidecar decked out for the jubilee.

In to autumn now and I have to admit to having taken these photos the previous year. We had been in the National Theatre and come out to discover a pink landscape - I have really never seen anything like it. We walked along the embankment marvelling at the glowing pavements and the reflection of the sunset in the Festival Hall windows.​

Finally its winter, January 2013 to be precise; but still something of interest to photograph ​

​Looking at these pictures its no wonder that I always make a point of taking my camera when I visit the South Bank at Waterloo. For those that don't know it it is a relatively small area in relation to the different sights, sounds and activities that take place there in an average year. I think I will have to repeat this post next year to see what differences I can capture.

On another note, don't forget there's still time to enter the postcard giveaway. Just pop over to my Facebook page here like it and leave a comment, you can view the postcards in the FunkyRosebud Studio Store here