AK – – Photography

A sunny day in town

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019by AK5 Comments

The city was blessed with bright sunshine today (6th November) though judging by the images below you would not think that. However it got me out of the house and put me in the mood for a few hours schlepping around the West End of London.

As I got out of the tube at Piccadilly Circus the Anteros statue
on the top of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain caught my eye.

Next up, is this abstract lighting in an arcade off Regent Street.

On Tottenham Court Road opposite Heals furniture shop, is this very large mural.
To me it reflects the chaos and madness of dense urban environments.

These two buildings can be found on the southern aspect of Westminster Bridge.
Obviously I took some liberty with the exposure and processing.

Petrol station at night

October 22, 2019by AK8 Comments

October the UK, the nights are drawing in the weather is getting rather lousy, the opportunity for day time photography is limited. Time to take a different approach. Abstract petrol station at night.

Monkey Business

October 22, 2019October 22, 2019by AK6 Comments

I decided to revisit some of the photos that I took in Malaysia last year 2018. Taking photos of animals is not something I do very often, as you really need a very long lens to keep a reasonable distance from the subject. At the Batu Caves just on the edge of Kuala Lumper is a troop of monkeys that inhabit this religious site. They can be a touch feisty but if you keep your distance they don’t bother you too much. A couple of photos below.

Fuji XP130 & XE2s

October 2, 2019by AK4 Comments

Gloomy London Morning. The Palace of Westminster.
Fuji XP130

Art Deco London Underground Station.
Fuji XE2s and 35mm f2 lens.

For many people in the UK this week (end of Sept into early Oct), the weather has been rather unpleasant. Heavy rain with strong winds, in some parts of the country there is a lot of flooding and misery. Two images taken this week with two different cameras in two different weather conditions. The XP130 and the XE2s with the 35mm f2 lens (50mm equivalent in full frame terms). I purchased the XE2s secondhand to have as a “city sling it over your shoulder camera”. Considering its a three year old product it works rather well.

The best camera ?

September 25, 2019by AK8 Comments

They say the best camera is the one you have with you.
Having tried several times to take my Z6 & the EM1X with me to work on my bike through central London. I was constantly nervous about damaging my kit, so last week I took the plunge and purchased a Fuji XP130. A Waterproof, shockproof and apparently you can drop it from several feet and the little fellow should still work like a trooper. It produces rather contrasty images which are very well suited to black and white.

Four tower blocks, some residential and the others are offices.

So how does a cheap £100 Fuji XP130 perform ?
Much better than you think.

Saturday Snapshot of London

September 15, 2019September 15, 2019by AK8 Comments

The photos presented here are not meant to be a wonderful work of art, more matter of fact presentation. We were heading into Londons Piccadilly area to see a contemporary tap dancing show (think Michel Flatley with a twist) which on reflection was quite good.

All journeys start with some from of transport. We started out in West London this part of the underground system is obviously not underground. Two tubes and a quick change, we would reach our destination Hyde Park Corner.

From Hyde Park Corner tube station there is easy access to Green Park, a 40 acre lump of green space between Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly. Lady feeding some of the millions of pigeons that live in the city.

As you exit the park on the north side there is a tourist kiosk and the inevitable throng of people milling about wonder which way to turn (left / right or should I buy something ?) Next to the kiosk is a red phone box, mainly used these days as a basic public convenience with out running water, this one had blacked out windows with some impromptu advertisements. This is Mayfair after all, so one has to be discreet.

Beak St, from here you can access Carnaby St and all the other little trendy spots crammed in to this very vibrant area.

St Anns Ct. The chicken wire has been place by the occupants to prevent people throwing rubbish into the sub basement area. Looks like it’s still being used as a recycling centre.

Red lanterns in China Town. This is Wardour Street, Gerrard St is on the next right.

Four empty chairs and art deco lighting. Inside the Piccadilly Theatre.

All images taken on Saturday the 14th September.

Sunrise

September 7, 2019September 7, 2019by AK10 Comments

I’m generally an early bird, staggering into the kitchen to make a cuppa this morning (Saturday 7th Sept) a quick glance out of the window….I was faced with a difficult decision – tea or photo ? – I threw some clothes on and grabbed the Z6. The morning air was fresh, subtle hues of the early morning light contrast with the almost razor sharp black line of the horizon fed the photo addiction for another week.