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Liverpool Dusk Cityscape
It’s about the time of year when I’ll start thinking about heading up Anglican tower. So, I decided to have a browse through the photographs I shot up there last year and in the process of doing so decided to do a little processing. Here’s the result. Shot almost a year ago as part of a time lapse and only just processed (in this manner). Just thought I’d share one of my favourite views of the city.
Lake District September 2009
It wasn’t so long ago now, but it seems like an eternity away when we visited the Lake District for the second time this year. We were very fortunate with the weather and had a wonderful two weeks of hill walking. It was challenging, but also immensely satisfying and despite eating well, I still managed to work my belt down a few notches!
Some of the fells we climbed this time around included:
- Skiddaw 931 metres (3,054 ft) – after several failed attempts due to bad weather on our previous visit, we finally managed to reach the summit. Perhaps, it was because it was the first big walk we did on the trip, but it felt like the toughest. Incredibly windy on top!
- Catbells 451 metres (1,480 ft) – my most climbed fell and I never get bored of the view from this relatively low climb. It’s from here I was able to capture some sunrise time lapse sequences.
- Barrow 455 m (1,494 ft) – one of Catbells’ neighbours. Not a difficult walk, but still a very rewarding view from the summit.
- Binsey 447 m (1,467 ft) – another relatively low fell, but with an amazing 360-degree view. It’s such a shame I took a camera without any memory cards and didn’t get a chance to revisit!
- Helvellyn 950 metres (3,117 ft) along Striding Edge – Our most exciting walk to date was on England’s third highest peak. Fantastic views and an exhilarating climb from the Striding Edge to the summit via the loose, rocky face.
Here’s a couple of photos from the trip and a few more over on Flickr.
All in all, it was a fantastic photo break, but I think I could do with a better way of carrying photography equipment especially when primarily shooting with a combination of a Nikon D700 and 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. That’s a couple of kilos of mass which I need to be able to stow away securely and easily whilst still having it at hand without too much stoppage time. My trekking rucksack and Lowepro Toploader worked out a little cumbersome at times, but on the whole did the trick.
If you’d like a few suggestions for places to dine whilst in the Lake District, I highly recommend the following:
Posted in Blog, Travel
Also tagged Barrow, Binsey, Catbells, Cumbria, Helvellyn, Keswick, Lake District, Red Tarn, September, Skiddaw, Striding Edge, Swirral Edge, The Lake District
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Liverpool City Mist – More Time Lapse
After my first attempt at shooting a time lapse sequence from the roof of the Anglican Cathedral tower, I returned with plenty of time to figure out a different way of supporting my camera and keeping it off the floor. From the results, it looks like it was a success. It’s just a shame the weather wasn’t as kind as it was the previous week.
Never the less, the city still makes for a fascinating show. So, let’s get on with it!
On my next visit to the tower, I think I’ll try something else. The position on the roof I’ve been shooting from is very popular. So, it’s only fair someone else gets a go. Unless the weather is spectacular in which case it’s first come, first served, baby! :OP
Posted in Blog, Showcasing
Also tagged Anglican Cathedral, dusk, Liveprool, October, sunset, time lapse
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From Way Up High: Liverpool Life at Dusk
Until 26th November 2009, the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool is allowing evening access to the tower roof. A new lighting system has been installed which means visitors are now able to enjoy a very unique view of Liverpool after dark until 8pm on Thursdays excluding 5th November which is a real shame.
I’ve been on the roof before and it really is a spectacular view over not just the city centre, but also of the surrounding suburbs and even across the Mersey to Wirral.
Last week, I was on the roof again as the sun was setting and I took the opportunity to shoot a time lapse sequence. Unfortunately, my tripod was resting on some wobbly floorboards which people kept treading on throughout the sequence. So, there’s a degree of jitteriness caused by camera movement, but I really enjoy watching the resultant clip because it reminds me there’s so much life going on all over the city.
Posted in Blog, Showcasing
Also tagged Anglican, cathedral, Liverpool, Mersey, Merseyside, October, sunset, time lapse
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Kung Hei Fat Choi
Yesterday saw Liverpool’s main day for celebrating the coming Year of the Ox with the traditional lion and dragon dances together with accompanying firecrackers.
It’s been a few years since I’ve spent the day in Chinatown during celebrations mainly because, well, when you’ve seen the lion dance a dozen times it kinda gets a bit samey. This year is different because it’s my first Chinese new year with a DSLR and it was an opportunity too good to miss.
Something new to me was that the surrounding roads had all been closed for the celebrations. Presumably, this had something to do with the Capital of Culture year drawing in a larger volume of visitors and it also made it much easier for the parade to make its way around all of the Chinese businesses on the outskirts of Chinatown.
Also new was the appearance of a fun fair rides and the numerous displays and stalls, but I have to agree with Zak in that they were the lesser attraction on the day; a bit like the discarded, token salad you get with a takeaway curry.
The event was well-attended, but not jam-packed which meant that there was plenty of movement of the main crowd as it followed the lion dance up and down Berry Street and Nelson Street. There were plenty of opportunities to be had for candid street photography, but I’m still not well-practised enough to take advantage of every one that comes my way especially as I was primarily focussed on the performers.
Movement around the crowd and getting right up to where the action was was difficult. An unpredictable subject matter, people and structures getting in the way also didn’t help matters. So, even though I almost filled two 8GB cards most had at least one big issue I just wasn’t happy with. The light was also very contrasty with sunny skies combined with dark shadows from buildings and shiny costumes. All in all, very challenging, but also great fun!
Posted in Blog, Showcasing
Also tagged Chinatown, Chinese New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choi, Lion Dnace, Liverpool, The Year of the Ox
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