If you’re a wedding photographer and we ever happen to meet, be warned: I like to ask questions. Actually, I’m like that with most people I meet — I’m a naturally inquisitive person (again, be warned) — but with wedding photographers, my curiosity ratchets up a notch. How many photos do you take on a typical shoot? How many cameras do you use? What’s the editing process like? Is it scary asking people to stop nattering and get in position for the group shots?
Not long after the country went into lockdown, the street photography group I am part of on Facebook discussed the idea of a lockdown project. It’s not street photography per se, but with little opportunity to go out onto the streets, it was the best alternative! But it presented a good challenge, to think creatively and step out of the comfort zone. I was keen to jump on board. So over the course of the last two months I have taken many photographs in and around the home to try and capture the times we are in. The majority have been rubbish, but a few aren’t too bad, and I have featured them below. Overall, I would have liked to have a got a better selection, but it was good to try something different and have a few shots to look back on in the years to come.
Before heading to Prague last summer I did some research on what places in the city are best for street photography. A common thread in all posts and suggestions was Prague’s transport system. Upon arriving in the Czech capital I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about. I was not disappointed. The metro system is stylish and the trams are a wonderful mixture of old and new. This all provides a glorious backdrop for the city’s masses as they go about their days and routines. Going from a to b was never a chore but an opportunity to get the camera out and capture Prague in transit. Here are a selection of shots…
It was cold, wet and festive Saturday afternoon in Scotland’s capital city. I had caught up with a friend over lunch and we were heading to the train station where he had a train to catch. It was my fourth day in Edinburgh (principally to visit my brother who lives there) and already I felt like I had seen enough to get a good feel for the city.
But as my friend and I traipsed through streets and alleys from where we had lunch, we happened across a steep, winding street replete with tall, brightly coloured buildings. My curiosity and imagination were immediately stirred and I began making a mental note of where it was located to return to later with my camera. With darkness falling even earlier north of the border, I knew time was limited to get in some good daylight shots.
And so I saw off my friend and made a hasty to return to what I now know as being the historic and highly photogenic Victoria Street. Thankfully I was able to get in a few photographs before night began to settle in.
I had to smile at the whole episode. I had bought a guidebook and had a vague idea of what I wanted to do and see whilst visiting Edinburgh. And until that Saturday I thought I’d covered a good deal for a first trip. But if it wasn’t for a brisk walk to the train station with a friend I’d have missed out on an importance slice of Edinburgh’s history and charm. When it comes to travelling, it’s good to make room for both planning and spontaneity.
Some of the shots from Victoria Street are below, as are a few others from the trip. Enjoy!
Turns out I arrived on the right day. I had barely arrived at my AirBnb in Vienna when the hosts invited me to the Summer Night Concert at Schonbrunn Palace. I had never heard of the event, and I am not the biggest fan of classical music, but keen to make the most of my few days in the city and delve deep into its culture, I jumped at the opportunity — all the more so since entry was free! There must have been around 100,000 people at the concert, a good majority (including us) on the hill overlooking the palace grounds. Despite being a good distance away from the stage, the beautiful sounds of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra could be heard well. I even recognised a few pieces! It was a lovely start to my visit. Vienna is a stunning city with a rich history and many grand landmarks. What worked for me was taking a 3-hour bike tour one afternoon. It meant I could get a good feel for the whole city, find out small snippets of information on the key attractions, make some new friends (always welcome when travelling alone!) and get in a good dose of exercise. A small selection of photos from the trip are below. One final note: I took the train from Prague to Vienna, a 4-hour seated journey (with good air-con and Wi-Fi), for a bargain £15 through omio.co.uk. Tickets to other European cities are also reasonably priced. Worth looking into if you are planning on doing some travelling on the continent.
