London skyline accented by construction cranes, as viewed from the South Bank. As always, click photos to view detail.
Last week I was in London for photo shoots and spent some time at the lively South Bank, as well as the Tate Modern. If you get a chance, go see Taryn Simon's intriguing exhibition "A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters" at the Tate, as well as the documentary photography exhibit currently underway.
Lunch break.
Busy bridge at Embankment.
Pedestrian bridge leading from St. Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern.
Sprial metal staircase at shops near Blackfriars.
Office and residential buildings. A scene in the movie Love Actually was filmed in the courtyard.
Building sandcastles.
Gabriel's Wharf, with bespoke shops and fun restaurants. My friend Tracy and I had dinner here one evening. When I lived in London, Gabriel's Wharf was a favourite spot to meet for lunch.
A weathered boat is part of the Festival of Britain installation.
An appeal to save the albatross.
The ever-popular carousel.
Traditional fish and chips is still beloved by Brits and tourists alike.
As part of the Festival of Britain, a series of beach huts feature small exhibits about Britain's history.
This hut contains bottles of sand from various British beaches.
William Folkestone discovered that blood systematically circulates through the body.
A model ship and books about the sea are the focus of this beach hut.
More stripes on beach huts temporarily lining a walkway along the Thames.
Experts provide advice on sailing to curious students.
Just in case...
Sign of the times.
Beneath the bridge.
The London Eye, viewed from Westminster Bridge.
The Eye viewed from South Bank later in the afternoon.
This guy and his partner in native costume danced for tourists.
He noticed me taking pictures and turned around and posed.
A Charlie Chaplin imitator.
Mickey Mouse lost his head.
Cultural contrasts: Spiderman and Arabic women and their children out for an afternoon stroll.
Hmm...he's not too sure about shaking hands.
A couple dressed in medieval costume.
The horizon's not crooked; the building is on an incline.
Parliament as seen from South Bank.
The spires of Westminster in silhouette behind scaffolding.
Big Ben's elegant clockface.
All photos taken with the Leica M9 and Summilux 50 mm f2 lens.
Michelle, I thought about you, but simply didn't have a chance to arrange to get together. Next time, will try to plan something in advance.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 22 June 2011 at 09:52
Doggonit Tara, you were in the neighborhood for my birthday and I didn't know it. You could have come to my party. My best friend who moved here as well last year, lives just across the park from Gabriel's Wharf so I've spent even more time than normal there.
Posted by: Michelle French | 22 June 2011 at 05:19
Love them all....it's been a while since I've been to London.. this certainly is a GOOD invitation :-) Ciao Tara... beauty pics!
(come to Florence!!)
Posted by: Belvivere | 21 June 2011 at 22:07
It looks like a terrific visit -- as I would expect from your wonderful photos. You manage to catch all the life and energy, all the colors and shapes of a place. This is no exception!
Posted by: jeanie | 21 June 2011 at 00:02
Loved seeing London through your camera's eye. I was in London such a short time, I think I need to return sometime and take more of it into my heart.
Posted by: Marilyn | 20 June 2011 at 17:58
Lovely! Every single one. I automatically thought of Eastenders when I saw The Eye. LOL!
Posted by: Limner | 19 June 2011 at 04:28
Love Actually---a perennial favo(u)rite. How wonderful. Love the little beach huts and Big Ben, especially is a stunner. Well done, you. Have some fish and chips (with vinegar -yum!) for me!
Posted by: Natalie | 18 June 2011 at 23:04
Tara stunning images, and some are so fun and colorful!! Great photography!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Come and join my Giveaway from the Novica Artisans!
Posted by: Karena | 18 June 2011 at 17:44
Carole, thank you for the lovely comments about my blog. Hope your show goes well!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 June 2011 at 17:44
Thanks Karen. I forgot you are in London - hope we can meet during my next trip.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 June 2011 at 17:42
Love these images! The South Bank is always full of life and fun to visit. I look forward to seeing more of your trip to London - it's always interesting to see the city you live in through another person's eyes.
Posted by: Karen @PasGrand-Chose | 18 June 2011 at 17:20
Hi Tara,
I just had a ''good'' cry looking through your images in your art/antiques blogs.. Living in the cultural desert on the west coast of the US, I am resuscitated by your eye for beauty and the energy in long-loved things. Thank you for giving me a virtual tour. I'm painting for a show next week, "Let Them Eat Cake'' so have been digging into all things Marie Antoinette inspired! Cheers, Carole
Posted by: Carole Mayne | 18 June 2011 at 15:50
All of your photographs are amazing but that first shot is astonishing. Hang on to it as it is quite a record of the changing skyline!
Posted by: patricia | 18 June 2011 at 15:31
I love these pictures they paint a sunnier picture of England than I had imagined. So glad you had a nice visit back to your old home. xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 18 June 2011 at 05:24
i need ALL of those beach huts for my garden. I still haven't painted mine - I think you've just inspired me!
Posted by: Elsie Anderton | 18 June 2011 at 00:24
I can feel the energy of the city in your photos, Tara. Someday I hope to experience your wonderful views of Europe for myself.
Meanwhile, thank you and keep sharing, OK?
Posted by: Mary H. | 17 June 2011 at 22:53
Your photos are stunning in their clarity and focus. Wonderful.
I haven't been to London in 20 years. It looks so different to me. Very invitingly different.
Posted by: ally bean | 17 June 2011 at 19:21