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

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

people chilling, eating, out with their dogs.

Even more than usual because of the Christmas Market

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

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

and couples.

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

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

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

Photography on the Hoof! or Making the Most of your Opportunities

On Tuesday I had to go to London for a meeting. The person I was meeting suggested we meet in the members area at the Royal Festival Hall which was very convenient as it is only a five minute walk form the mainline station and doesn't involve getting on a tube. I debated about taking my camera as I knew I wouldn't have much time to take photographs, but in the end decided to take it anyway - this turned out to be a good decision.

I was a little early for the meeting so took these photos on my way in to the RFH, I just loved how the colour of the pansies brightened up a grey January day!

I arrived on the 6th floor via the singing glass lift - which I wasn't expecting and rather freaked me out as it not only sang but went very fast.

This next picture was taken in the members area on the 6th floor of the RFH. Obviously lots of people choose to have business or other meetings there, or just go there and work with their laptops.

The views are absolutely stunning both over the river and over Westminster - I took the first of these photos through the window on the 6th floor, and the second from the balcony one floor down

My final picture is of Hungerford Bridge, the rail bridge between Waterloo and Charing Cross stations - if you look carefully you can see the white roof of a train going across. I love the juxtaposition of the trees and the bridge struts in this picture, they seem to come together to form a forest

taking these picture probably took about 15 minutes and in no time and all I was back on the train heading for home.