New Destinations for Street Photography Walks

November 11, 2022

I am so excited to announce that I have not only got one but two new Street Photography walks starting next year to complement the one I already run for Going Digital in the West End & Soho. These are King’s Cross to Camden via the Union Canal & Liverpool Street to Box Park via Brick Lane.

Premiering on February 25th is the first one. We will meet in a cafe at King’s Cross for a brief hello and an introduction about the day ahead to then move on to explore the hustle and bustle around Coal Drop Yard before heading out along the Union Canal. Taking in the old Gas Works, Street Art & Canal Boats. Upon arrival in Camden and after a pitstop and catch up to see how the day is going i shall guide you through the perimeters of the colourful and milling streets around Camden, up to Chalk Farm and back taking in people, stalls and the vibrancy and then finishing outside the Market where further exploration can continue after we are done if you so fancy.

I shall be on hand throughout the day to answer any questions you might have as well as sharing how I see the world through a lens. To show you how to work with the ever changing light and shadows in the different areas along the route, how to interpret the environment, set the scene, use the colourful back drops, and colour-matching to set the mood for your images as well as feeling comfortable photographing in crowds.

For fun we will set some tasks to capture throughout the day as it is great fun to compare at the end as everybody sees the world very differently. despite being in the same place at the same time. Examples from past walks has been ‘holding hands’, a trio of blue’, window cleaner’', a pointing hand’ and so on…

To book, visit : https://www.goingdigital.co.uk/workshops/16576

The second one kicks off on March 25th . We shall meet in a cafe at Liverpool Street for a quick hello and an introduction to the day ahead. The walk shall then commence and we will move along the back streets, skirting Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields Market for some street art and grit to get to Brick Lane. We will then stroll along it and pop in and out of the adjacent streets as well as Allens Garden for colourful murals (we might even see one being painted there and then) as well as funky characters that are frequenting all the little shops and bars with windows that are great for reflections.. A pitstop for some refreshments and to see where we are at and see how everybody are doing. I shall then guide you down Red Church Street, if time permits pop across to the area around the Citizen M hotel to later end the walk by Box Park & Shoreditch High Street train station

To book visit: https://www.goingdigital.co.uk/workshops/16577

Last but not least, I also do one to one mentoring experiences in varied areas of London.. A day that we decide on together as to what, where and when with full flexibility on day and start time so weather and light can be right for the experience you want. I have done previous days in Camden, London Bridge, the Square Mile, Soho, Shoreditch but plenty of other areas to pick as well.

Five hours of exploring with me on hand, to guide you through the light & shadows, working on the framing, using backdrops and colour and to use the environment around you to set a scene. How to feel comfortable and brave on the street and crowds and to immerse yourself fully in the moment for a mindful experience, forgetting everything else around you.

To book visit: https://www.goingdigital.co.uk/workshops/14987

Photography guided me through the pandemic

March 28, 2021

It’s just over a year now, the world as we know it is still tilting on its axis but, the finishing line seems somewhat closer, almost visible and that light at the end of the tunnel a tad brighter.

For me, I can only describe it all as a most enormous emotional rollercoaster with abysses the size of the Mariana trench and peaks like the Everest in its path, hope, and despair alternating madly like currents through the body and mind.

I have had such a surplus of cortisol and adrenaline coursing through my body making it hard to concentrate on simple things like reading a book or watching a film from start to finish, not being able to stop myself poking at that darn screen for the latest updates, flash news bulletins, government announcements, scary conspiracy theories, social media posts, and hoaxes. On many occasions, my phone took pleasure in telling me I had managed to accumulate over seven hours of screen time in one single day which is insane and beyond unhealthy.

Despite being an introvert, I found myself missing people and social situations. Even if I often shoot alone in central London, you are still close to and surrounded by millions of people and more times than not bumping into fellow photographers and you stop for a brief catch up before moving along to the next street corner and frame.

I felt so desperately lonely - there are also only so many zoom calls and face time chats you can do with family and friends afar before the sadness overwhelms you.

We are now finally emerging out of our third lockdown which I have found the hardest of them all, especially as we here in London and SE England have not been able to do anything since halfway through December so the restrictions have covered all the winter months with its long nights and not so desirable weather. It would have been so easy to stay in bed and not get dressed for the day but thankfully having a daughter in secondary helped as I felt I had to forego with a good example and also be at hand for help with homeschooling as well as emotional support and company even though mum is not that cool to hang out with. Consequently, by being more present at home we have grown much closer and this I am incredibly thankful for.

The savor through these past 13 months when restrictions have been in place have been (apart from my family) the walking and my camera. Five to 15km, day in and day out for hours on end - either in the woods opposite me when it was really bad and I felt almost scared of crossing paths with people, later mixed with the local streets where I was making bigger and bigger loops to see what was around, and what could be captured. I have explored parts of Eltham I didn’t know, also Avery Hill, Shooters Hill, Greenwich, Welling, Plumstead….

Periodically I have been back in central London, between lock-downs but also for exercise when allowed. I was un-furloughed for about three months and went back to work through late summer and part of the autumn, not liking the tube I walked everywhere across London which helped with the daily stress factor.

Not all images captured through this period are strictly street as I ventured out in the darkness, sun, dusk, dawn, frost, fog, and snowy conditions but it kept me sane and in the moment.

Those hours out and about and also at home going through the taken images was a blissful holiday from my madly oversubscribed brain as well as uncomfortable thoughts, and feelings. To be able to feel that stillness and calm as you look through the viewfinder (or uploading them to lightroom), to frame the scene and freeze that specific and magical moment of time with my trusty FujiX-T2. Waiting out that split second when somebody walks perfectly through that viewfinder you have carefully aligned with a backdrop, shadow, or color matching a street sign with a coat. When the light suddenly becomes golden and magic in the afternoon and the shadows grow dark and tall.

Blissful feelings of calm when you can take a deep slow breath pulling it all the way to the bottom of your lungs and you feel not even a whisper of anxiousness, stress, or panic. Nothing else matters apart from what you are doing there and then.

Mindful photography has certainly saved my marbles and sanity through this pandemic.

I don’t think we will be back to normal as we remember it for quite some time but society is now slowly opening up and we will be able to socialize if at distance, work with colleagues rather than at home and travel within the country more freely, With time, also across borders to see family, friends and to explore more of the world, so many places to visit and capture.

My creative journey through lockdown

July 06, 2020

I can’t believe we are in July already!

How did the time go past so quickly considering we have been in lockdown from March 23rd, me furloughed since then and only left my street a handful of times up until very recently?

The days just kind of merged into one another trying to keep busy with the mundane cooking (tried to jazz things up with new culinary delights), cleaning (bored to tears), gardening, festering on the sofa and at the same time trying not to totally freak out over the world tilting on its axis with world leaders making baffling decisions or not in some cases. It is only from my other half working and daughter having first homeschooling and then returning to school that I know when the weekend is.

When the lockdown was announced my camera, an extension of myself, was put away into the cupboard to hibernate. I knew my street photography was on hold for the foreseeable future. I half-heartedly tried a bit of portraiture with the family but they were not interested and I got bored with macro photography, and flowers in the garden. Also, there is only so much editing and curating of old material that you can do.

So, I grabbed on to the lifeline available, exercise allowed outside.

The woods opposite the house beckoned and I clambered out of bed every morning at the crack of dawn ensuring there were as few people around as possible to heed social distancing rules. Bluebell season was upon us which made for beautiful scenery.

Fleetingly I thought maybe I should bring the camera if there are any people about but then I felt that they are in the same position as me; desperate to get out for mental headspace and exercise, to let the anxious thoughts and worries roam free. Walking the paths through the trees and meadows, anguishing about possibly getting sick, job losses, how to afford the rent or mortgages, food on the table, what to do if you need a doctor. Some people with loved ones in the hospital that they can’t visit or loved ones lost to COVID-19. I couldn’t take advantage of my fellow wood-wanderers so I walked miles and miles every morning listening to Podcasts or talking to my family in Sweden.

On these walks, I started to notice the discarded items left behind and to lighten the mood I used my phone to capture these oddments. I posted these on my Instagram stories with puns and captions and they were well received. The more I looked the more items I found.

As I continued on my strolls and time went on, it struck me that the majority of items I found were left in the evenings and at night, a whole different world to my morning trips. Darker times with a red thread of seediness that were tinged with drugs (both legal and illegal) as well as evidence of booze, hookups, sex, crimes, junk food, fires, items of clothing amongst other things. So despite these images being flanked with light-hearted and tongue in cheek comments, I don’t want to take away that behind each of these images might be peoples potential unhappiness; maybe taking refuge in the woods because they are escaping life, addiction, lost love, crimes, domestic violence, mental distress, sickness, worry or distress.

I’m hoping to put a selection of the IG stories together in a zine in the not too distant future, ‘The seedy Chronicles of Oxleas Woods’ with proceeds going towards charity.

Finally, the time had come to venture into central London. The first lot of restrictions had been eased somewhat and I wanted to take the opportunity to document the boarded-up shopfronts, pubs & restaurants as well as deserted streets and squares and also to make sure I hadn’t developed agoraphobia.

It was a fantastic feeling, after a slightly anxious induced train journey with a face mask wandering about again in Chinatown with charged batteries, an empty SD card and camera held high. A friend living centrally joined and it was the best of feelings being able to chat in person rather than on a screen, albeit with a distance kept. I think we were all suffering from zoom & FaceTime fatigue at this point and desperate for that human contact.

The initial happiness was short-lived; in my mind photography should be a bit like riding a bike but I felt really rusty and off my game. It was much busier than anticipated even from early on and I frequently forgot to check the very basic settings. I kept knocking dials so the shutter speed had a life on its own and was either too fast or too slow, suddenly double exposure was in use, missed easy shots that I should’ve nailed and ISO was all over the place in the brash midday light so many images were blown. I even managed to change the shutter button focus to continuous autofocus as well as switching the face detection on, it completely threw me and took some time to work out. I felt stressed and flustered as this all should be second nature.

It also didn’t help that I felt anxious and a great weariness of people as at this point transmission of COVID19 was still quite high so I wasn’t as close up to people as normal or moving in for shots that were unfolding. Not very mindful in myself or in my shooting at all.

Home I went with about 600 images, I did not like many of them.

I knew I needed to get out there with the camera again so my walks through the woods got swapped out with walks through the Eltham roads and High Street. It felt really weird, out of place shooting street here on my home turf and despite a fantastic light, I was mostly looking out for people I knew or recognised so I could avoid them. It lasted for a week and then I was back in the woods again looking for rubbish treasures.

A few weeks later with some further ease of restrictions and the shops opening. I bit the bullet, took the train into town again and met @belinda on a Sunday morning for a social distance photo stroll and chat through the City & East End. The walk and company were just what the doctor ordered but again fluster and stress made itself known as the day went on. Petticoat Lane was one of our first stops it was really great with the morning sun washing over the stalls with its rays as they were being prepared and stocked up with colourful fabrics and clothes. Great characters out for the shopping and banter, most with face masks, and keeping a distance chasing the bargains being called out by the stallholders. It quickly got busier, the sun reached midday crescendo and we had that harsh light to battle with again and it didn’t help that it kept popping in and out of the clouds with great and fast frequency.

We moved on and strolled through Spitalfields Market which had a relaxed and calm atmosphere but then headed up to Brick Lane. Maybe a poor choice for the day, glancing down the road it was heaving so we took a sharp turn towards Aldgate and the City again. A nice stroll along the river past the Tate but by the South Bank it got quite hairy, mobile bars selling take away beer made people threw complete caution to the wind. Large groups, families, skateboarders without the skate park available milling about all moving about like headless chickens. At this point, the heavens also opened and everybody tried to congregate under the trees to shelter from the deluge. Needless to say, I was on the next train home. Again, a full SD card but only one or possibly two images that were in my mind passable.

This state of mind I felt was not good for my confidence nor creativity so only a few days later I was on the 6.30 am train hand this time heading for the city centre. My solitary journey started at London Bridge and the short stroll to Borough Market. It was lovely, the muted golden morning light pouring through the market and streets. Stallholders preparing for their day, construction workers in their bright orange and hardhats, commuters and a vast number of joggers milling about. It was calm and respectful with people keeping a distance. I could feel myself slowly relax into my day ahead which meant I took my time with settings, preparing and setting the scene and immerse into the area. I found a couple of corners where I could wait and watch, nobody took any notice and for the first time in months, I felt like I belonged. Slowly walking along the Thames, I crossed at Blackfriars and walked up Fleet Street past the courts. I stopped in Covent Garden for a coffee, again very relaxed and quiet. All the roads at some point seem to lead me to Soho and the West End, I felt like I had arrived home.

The sun decided to desert me at this point so I concentrated more on windows and people, meandering up to Oxford Circus I carried on to Marble Arch and back with a detour in Mayfair where I had a quick coffee with friends. It was surprisingly few people about and actually not as many shops open as I had anticipated.

As the day went on I was so engrossed I didn’t even notice the time. Rain, wind, clouds and sun – the whole range within minutes just added to the fun. Despite getting busier and me popping on my mask, I wasn’t flustered or uncomfortable, I was back on that bike doing my thing with a big smile on my face.

Over 20km walked but didn’t even feel tired, a full card with a few images I actually didn’t hate – more than anything, I was back in control and feeling relaxed, taking the time to set the scene, noticing the changing light and different backdrops whilst breathing in the atmosphere. Belonging in that moment where nobody really noticed or cared that I took pictures. Suddenly it hit me; I had come out of my photographic hibernation and I was truly looking forward to the next time.

The winter sun is upon us and I am feeling rather positive

December 13, 2019

So the winter is upon us and a lot of you out there will be missing the balmy longs summer days, with coastal beach fun, BBQ;s, lazy Aperol Spritz afternoons in the pub garden - sun hats, funky sunglasses, skirts and shorts combined with sandals and trainers, cafes and restaurants where you can sit outside in the courtyards with friends, a glass of wine and exciting street food, performances in parks and festivals galore.

Me, yes I miss it a little bit but from October onwards, this is my favourite time of year.

You see, I’m a light, shadow, contrast and silhouette junkie (all in technicolor) - I love that gorgeous shy sun that makes a brief appearance every day (if you are in luck) but if you happen to blink you might miss it. Its rays, rising over the Thames at about 9am and then bathes Trafalgar square with its golden light that you can then stalk through the streets of Soho and the West End.

The way the sun creates the walls of deep black shadows, cutting streets and areas in halves like day and night where people and objects get a natural almost studio light treatment and showcased against the negative space.

Nothing makes me happier than chasing this elusive glowing creature of the sky through the streets, like a matador but instead of a sword I have my trusty camera. At one point last week at Oxford Circus we must have been at least five photographers taking part in this sport. You have to be quick as a weasel this time of year though as by 2pm it is game over.

Setting the scene and cast my net to see what walks into my viewfinder. I have found by slowing down and stand still for periods of time I get better images. On my way through Covent Garden the other day I noticed that the afternoon sun had made a beeline for a corner in the back of the market where a steady stream of people paraded through. I must have been there for a good 40 minutes and took several hundred images as the sun slowly moved and changed the scened and then suddenly disappeared behind the buildings. I was pleasantly surprised when looking through them later that evening that I liked more than one and I think that was from being there for a long time and working the spot and changes of light and shadows.

Street photography for me as I have mentioned before is quite solitary and by wandering the streets I destress, get the natural exercise of walking, mindfulness and it makes me forget those sometimes fraught and stressful periods we all go through at times.

But saying that - there is another side of street photography and actually Instagram that I really rather like. The to my surprise rather social side - with the several protests, marches, and events that have filled this autumn I have been introduced to and befriended a lot more local and sometimes from further afield street photographers.

A lovely, enthusiastic and positive community with small egos that cheer each other on, share tips, areas to shoot in and the best time of day. Mind you there are always exceptions to all this but luckily I find those quite few and far in between.

Communal photo walks, visits to museums, exhibitions, coffees, kind words and hellos as we cross paths or stumble upon each other on the different corners and streets of London. it’s been great to put faces to names as many have only been Instagram handles and prior we have only chatted online, liked and commented on the daily postings.

With all this fun as well as challenges going on I was also very surprised and flattered to be asked to join Going Digital London to do a regular Street Photography walk workshop. I’m very pleased to have the first one under my belt and it was incredibly positive and fun to do, a bit wiped out from the nerves and many steps but worth each and every one of them. The feedback was really positive and moving forward I will be offering one to one street coaching as well as the group walks.

www.goingdigital.co.uk/photography-courses/london-workshops

To mention only a few of the talents out there that I have either bumped into or walked and shot with of late @samantha_french_ @bellajane @hueyraw @christian.cross_ @zackwebb @krisaskey @jennieblythephotography @j2.bee @mariapage @spicy.meatball @simonking_v @joshkjack @nicofroe @jovisleigh @monkeymuesli @curtis_peacock @mtorki @jamesrayres @samvholt

It’s a small world and I like it.

Mind the Darkness - a personal take on mindful photography

July 07, 2019

Through my whole life I have been prone to periods of dark moods, anxiety, a lot of ‘what if’ and worries about the future, health, everybody and everything and all in between. When in my teens and early twenties I didn’t even understand what it was as I couldn’t verbalise it, just feelings that crawled inside and outside the body that I tried to push away and in doing so just made it worse. Through the years often fleeting and passing but sometimes for longer periods and that’s where I had to get a little help with the likes of CBT and Mindfulness to get some tools under the belt and if nothing else a better understanding of myself and what my triggers are. One of the best advices I got from a friend that is a psychologist was to ‘invite your anxiety for tea’, acknowledge those feelings rather than push them away as they then fight even more to invade your being consequencently caused panic attacks.

With time I have learned that the big triggers are when sudden ‘out of my control’ life events happen (you try to deal with it there and then but in the aftermath you put a brave face on and try to emerge out of it like the phoenix from the ashes if a bit singed and dusty) and stress - be it work, home and family, extended family or friends , I also used to obsessively worry about future events that are out of my hand, big gatherings, presentations, routines/work changing, family - the darkness does not discriminate.

Early on I realised I needed more than just talk and tools, I needed something tangible for me to do and occupy myself with. Gym and exercise is great and I have done different things on and off but never quite stuck by it and it didn’t quite still that mind. Theatre, film and music are great but still not enough immersion and escape. Due to some surprise money around 12 years ago I picked up my first DSLR and I was sold. Initially just family, London landmarks, macro and aesthetically pleasing shots but as everybody around me now know the camera started to come with me everywhere and I began capturing what I saw and observed around me to and from work. That camera being heavy I soon upgraded to a Fuji mirrorless as smaller, sharper, love the output and colours and not so in the face for the people I capture.

My walks before work got longer in distance and time. I started getting off at tube and train stops way before that days specific work destination. Taking earlier trains to catch the low and golden morning light streaming across the faces of my fellow commuters or pounding rain bouncing off their umbrellas. Grabbing a cuppa around the corner from Charing Cross at 6 am and then slowly make way through the backstreets of Soho to emerge an hour or so later for the job in hand but with images on the camera to review with excitement when I got home. I’m also very lucky to somewhat self manage my time and workload so when finished on site for the day and no meetings before going home to write reports I can wander off for further exploration and capture the inhabitants of our fair city.

If working in Tuffnell Park or Belsize Park I will walk down through Camden, Mornington Crescent until Warren Street and then West End & Soho until I reach Charing Cross. If in Angel, Islington I would route my movements through either Old Street, Brick Lane, Spitalfields, City & then London Bridge or Camberwell, Farringdon, St Paul’s & Cannon Street. The other day I was in Bayswater and did a little spin around Portobello and Notting Hill then Marble Arch to follow the sun down Oxford Street and Regent Street. For me most routes lead through Soho at some point, even this weekend. Started in Liverpool Street & Shoreditch at midday with my friend Shel to then end up in the middle of Soho and Pride what an amaizing atmosphere.

The majority of the time is spent alone, this is when I destress and put my demons to right. The walks exercise both the body and mind and whilst concentrating on observing events and details of what is around to capture niggling thoughts and fears tend to become much smaller and fade into the background like just little whispers. I find that if I feel a bit wired from life and work these walks slows both heartbeat and breathing down and everything resting on my shoulders a bit lighter and easier to manage. There is nothing quite like putting 25k steps on the Fitbit immerse yourself in an area with light, shadows, smells and movements to come home and then go through your treasure trove even if you only like to or three out of the 700 images taken. It’s that bone tiredness, creativity and achievement that still those little snapping snakes in the pit of the stomach, sleep suddenly comes easy and it also makes me a happier, kinder and a more patient mother, wife and friend.

I said often alone but through photography I have also made amazing friends that I meet with regularly for walks and talks. We have rarely if ever met each others partners, families or friends but freely share worries, problems, stress and anxieties but also laugh a lot, discuss, help and coach and put the world to right. We explore and roam the city together, capture and share images (incredible what different things we see despite being in the same location at the same time). We then say goodbye until the next time and go home with spring in our steps.

I think it is incredibly important for each and all of us to have something that is ours, a hobby, an interest, a sport, an activity and /or outside friends to help with the stress in life and to aid mindfulness and happiness and for me - the camera has done all this and more.

Light plays a huge part in my photography and I try to capture how it disperses the darkness and the negative space, the shadows it creates and then how it warmly displays or puts a spotlight on my chosen frame. Looking at past and present images I think they are brighter and more positive but then all that depends on the day. Weather and mood can very much influence the output and I think it is probably quite easy to see how I feel if you look at that days clicks.

The darkness is not so dark anymore, always a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and those feelings doesn’t worry me as much as it used to in the past. I feel much more philosophical about life and not obsessing about how things are supposed to be or behave.

A tip is also to surround yourself with people you truly want to be with, people that equally give and take as much as you do in the friendships and relationships, truly loves and respects you for who you are and don’t try to change you.

New Year and New Beginnings

December 30, 2018

A new year is literally hanging on the door knob with promises of new beginnings, learnings and projects to sink your teeth in to for the next twelve months. What this past year has really reinforced is my passion and the belief that photography is something I really want to keep doing, to get better at and also that I need to have a goal to work towards. A venture of some sort with a beginning, middle and end with something to show for it.

Myself and a lovely motley crew of other photographers attended a three day workshop in Soho with Matt Stuart in November.

Incredibly, even though Matt initially kind of rips you to shreds when you go through some of previous (what you think is your better) work, he does it tailored to you as he takes the time to listen to what your dreams and ambitions really are, with empathy and compassion to your situation right now, to guide and show what potential is actually there and what you can achieve if you take on the advice and guidance. and really truly listen.

Matt is incredibly generous with sharing his own views, teachings and experinese and and it reinforces my desire to achieve photography as a profession even more.

What I did learn over these three days was to really look at the light, to understand where it came from, how to use it to my advantage and not to be scared of it’s harshness and to adapt the settings on the camera when walking in and out of the shadows between the buildings and streets. To fish, to follow and to always be ready for that potential ‘oh F*ck moment’, to really utilise the negative space, to look like you belong and not to doubt what you can achieve.

The realisation that it is ok to shoot 1500 images in one day including out of focus, blur, missing the shot all together and to only like maybe two of them but by continue to do all these things, now and again you will capture a quite good image, just have patience and learn from mistakes.

I know that a certain amount of what I shoot are in some minds graphical bullshit but it is something I enjoy alongside of the traditional street photography and everything is in the eye of the beholder at the end of the day and everything has a place where it belongs.

If you have read my previous posts you will have read that my heart belongs in Soho and the West End. This is where I spend a lot of my time, before and after work and also at the weekends and holidays. From dusk to dawn and sometimes in the middle of the night. I’m there in all kind of weather. Rain, snow, storm and sunshine, it’s never bad weather, just dress accordingly and protect your gear.

I’m lucky enough to know people residing and working in the area as well as other passionate photographers that comes and goes. Groups of us that set up specific days where we all are in the same area at the same time but not quite together as everybody wonders off like the magpies we are to seek the twinkling light to capture and to chase images down alleyways , shopfronts and tube entrances. So despite spending an awful lot of time shooting on my own, I never feel alone.

I have a lot of material now from this area sitting on my hard drive, some shared on social media and my website, some never seen and I think now is the time to consolidate all this and narrow it down to maybe a book or similar and see if I can complete that project from start to end and to see if it can stand its own out there in the big bad world.

The Windows of the Street

October 26, 2018

I love a pane of glass, a mirror, bus shelter, revolving door, a glass elevator as well as tubes, routemasters and cabs or why not a plastic partition on a street food or market stall.

These are the windows to the soul of the street which shows those little snapshots and stories with the fabulous addition of reflections of what is going on around and giving the scene in question a natural frame. If you are really lucky there will sometimes be some condensation, droplets and trails of rain to add texture and dimension to the image and with a bit of back light there might be some strong shadows and silhouettes or the skies and clouds to show in a layer as well.

It is so satisfying to capture people in an intimate moment with the show of emotions, it being a hug, kiss or a handshake, an argument or a tear, laughter and joy. Somebody enjoying a solitary coffee, looking out on the world beyond whilst soul searching. Waiting for a friend, partner or maybe a blind date to turn up.

Fine dining, piece of cake or a dirty kebab after the pub has closed. A retail window being dressed or maybe cleaned or it might also just be someone sitting by a window and accidentally catching your eye as you are walking past with the camera.

We also have all the commuters on buses, trains, tubes and in cabs getting from A to B on their way out for a night on the tiles, on the way home from work to a loved one or en route to work.

The immense satisfaction from seeing a beam of light wash over somebody’s face or arm, maybe not a person, just whispers of shadows and outlines or the light being so amazing all you can see in the window are the reflections of what is going on behind you so a completely different story told.

One street leading from one to another with all the changing windows and doors to look through. With people walking in and out in a steady stream having arrived from all means of life and transport.

Nothing ever slowing down, just the light, shadows, reflections and clientele changing depending on what time of day it is. How are they feeling, what has happened, are they happy or sad, upbeat or tired?

I treasure these little snippets of life that I capture through the windows of the street and Ijust want more.

Until next time,

Sara x

The iconic Bodega Negra on Old Compton Street

Soho, It's dirty, filthy, fabulous and gloriously mental - all wrapped up into urban stunning beauty!

March 31, 2017

I used to live and run pubs in Soho in my mid to late 20's, exact location being on the corner of Brewer Street, almost like the gatekeeper to the soho village, because it is a village. A lot of people live and have grown up here, townhouses and flats hiding behind the scenes and alleyways, markets, launderettes and little local hole in the wall cafes and minimarts.

At night lit up by colourful neon lights, ambient dimmed glow from the eateries and bars plus the forever glowing ends of cigarettes. The pub was frequented by tourists, stag and hen parties but also locals, office workers and performers from the different venues dotted round close by. It wasn't unusual to have one of the ladies from madam Jo Jo's sitting at the bar doing her nails or Chris Evans having a pint with the virgin radio lot as the studio was then just around the corner. A motley cru of peopled matching this area of London.

These days I occasionally pass through Soho either due to work so it would be an early morning or at night catching up with a friend being out for a bite to eat and a glass of wine.

It was on one of those evenings recently and I had my camera in my bag as usual (oh I probably forgot to mention that I also had just upgraded my Fujifilm X-T10 to a X-T1, found a great deal on a used body from Camera Jungle) and I couldn't help but be drawn out on the streets by all the lights, characters, noise and smell. Like a magpie chasing gold I chased the light and colours reflecting in the wet streets from the earlier rain that evening.

Before I knew it time had passed ultra fast, it was half past midnight and I was in Leicester Square overwhelmed by the chocolate smell from M&M world and surrounded by drunk people, it was time to jump on the tube.

I wanted more, but at the same time wanted to explore and capture the streets with like minded people, challenge myself and better my images so I joined a Soho/Chinatown street workshop run by @joshjack & @sixstreetunder AKA @streetsacademy.

So there we were, our little group of 6 plus 2 (one of them had even flown in from Boston for this) at 11am on a Saturday morning meeting by the thumb in Trafalgar Suare, glorious sunshine and cameras at the ready heading up to Chinatown to face some fears and learn and share some new techniques. I had a new Fujinon 23mm f2 WR lens that had just arrived from Amazon and my trusty 35mm f2 WR. I looked around and apart from two it was Fujifilm all around but most of the guys were wielding a 56mm f1.2 and the Bokeh achieved from that was just out of this world, gear envy.

We moved up and down and around Chinatown for a few hours collecting some lovely portraits of people and scenes. At the end of it feeling rather confident and capturing images just a mere foot away from people and they didn't even know or care that they had been papped.

Then, after a very short break for hydration and fuel (arms and legs shaking by now) we headed deeper into Soho for shop windows, reflections, layering, bars and cafes....

......beautifully original, funky people on the move or in and outside eateries but also finding spots for photographing in the dark later.

We were spoilt for choice really, more and more people descending on Soho. Shoppers, pre-theatre goers trying to get a quick bite, afternoon tipples being consumed and the atmosphere literally singing on every street corner.

On our way to sit down for another break to rest those legs and wait for the sun to set we diverted via Trafalgar Square to capture some portraits of people enjoying the nice weather using our newfound bravery and skills.An amazing place to just float around, observe and people watch.

Darkness had finally descended on Soho, bright neon lights sparkling in the night, gritty, crazy, loud - I was in heaven.

We had to really concentrate to not lose each other and end up alone down an alleyway with the non desirables and drug pushers etc.

...at one point myself and a guy called TJ had to promptly jump out of the way as a door from a massage parlour flew open with a bang and a guy with his trousers around his ankles came running out with a big burly man behind chasing him with an umbrella down the street bellowing obscenities. I didn't manage to focus quickly enough to get a sharp image but managed to get a lot of other fun stuff along the way.

We walked and we kept shooting, at one point we looped back to Chinatown to see what the night had to give over there.

Impossible to stop as the night just kept giving but in the end arms, legs and brain gave in and over 10hrs later we headed towards cabs, buses and tubes to get home to see what the SD cards would divulge.

I have to confess that after that weekend I kept looking daily at all the secondhand camera sites and I finally found a second hand Fujinon 56mm f1.2 on mbp which I got by part exchanging an old Nikon lens I haven't used for over a year. It is marvelous, a bit slow on the focus, hunts a bit, noisy and quite large compared to he others but boy when you get it right the images and bokeh are just outstanding. So of course I had to go back to Soho and test drive it, would be silly not to!

London Bridge to Bethnal Green........and back

January 08, 2017

So what do you do with the days between Christmas and New Year apart from stuffing your face further, flake out on the sofa and watch rubbish TV?

Well if you happened to have given yourself and 35mm f/2 prime lens for your Fujifilm for Christmas then it would be really rude to not take it out for a test run to see how it performed. So on the 28th I got together with my dear photography friend Joe O'malley for a walk through the East End, and boy did we walk. London Bridge to Bethnal Green.....and back

The journey which was around 17km by the time I had made it back home took us through Liverpool Street, Petticoat Lane, Whitechapel, Spitalfield, Brick Lane, Columbia Road, Hackney, Haggerston, Cambridge Heath, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Old Street with loops and twirls and back streets. Such an experience, almost empty and so tranquil (it will seem most of London were still away or still sat at home on the sofa in PJ's). The weather kept changing from clear blue skies to thick mist and fog that hung over the rooftops which made the most nondescript places look eerie and spooky and put an edge to the street art and candid captures we took along the journey.

Through of all this I had Joe telling me about the artists that had created the murals and street art we came across. To boot he is also a walking talking encyclopedia when it comes to the history of East End. I learned so much about anything and everything from Jack the Ripper to architecture, estates, transport, storefronts, jobs you name it - brilliant!

What was even more brilliant was how the lens performed. No disappointment whatsoever with crisp and clear captures, it didn't keep chasing for focus like the 23mm and did great in the low light and fog. I love the Bokeh and found little if any distortion. I had done a lot of research beforehand as there is also a 35mm f/1.4 on the market but at a much greater cost. The majority of all the reviews seem to suggest it was hardly anything between them so at the lower cost this one was the preferred lens. Well this is my new favourite thing and I have had it with me everyday since and it just keeps giving.

Below are some of the many captures from our walk around, I had a somewhat hard time choosing.

The streets of London

October 22, 2016

London is amazing!

Rich in history with a beautiful architecture, every shop and eatery you could ask for. Markets, theatres and glitzy neon signs; the ultimate bright light big city.

But in this enormous commercial melting pot you do forget that there are big communities, Soho, Paddington, Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Mayfair, Dalston and so on. A mix of multimillion pound houses and flats plus highrises and social housing. In this you have the resident people from all areas of the world getting on with their day to day lives. Often mundane, but sometimes sad, dark and gritty and it will spill out on the street corners and back streets where the visiting workforce are doing its best to ignore it. Walking past minding their own business and looking away.

Due to the fantastic way my job works I drift in and out of different areas of london at all different times. From dawn to dusk and sometimes later. As I have become more familiar with the areas and also began to notice the local people and the little individual stories that are playing out all around them and us. I found that with my camera on me at all time I started to document and capture this.

With time I would love to publish a book called 'Streets of London', focusing on the real city behind the bright lights.

A photographic take on Woolwich

September 23, 2016

So my camera and I decided to go out for a walk and instead of heading to my usual haunts in the East End of London I thought we'd go local. I jumped on the bus 122 and et voila, 10 minutes later....Woolwich.

I often pass through there because of work (even photographed a wedding in the town hall) or because I need to jump on the DLR or overground due our train line being out of action or tube strike or the likes but, I have never just stopped and paused or taken the time to sit down on a bench in the square or on the pedestrianized high street to watch the world go by.

Well today I did and wow, it blew me away...... the mix of people, market stalls, shops and stories unfolding in front of me was fantastic - a village in the City. I spent several hours walking around capturing one thing or another, literally spoilt for choice andinstead of jumping on the bus to go back home I decided to walk so I also could get a shot of the beautiful Woolwich Barracks.

Here are a selection from today that I wanted to share.

A busy summer working

September 03, 2016

I was incredibly lucky to work on a couple of big advertising projects this summer which fulfilled everything that I enjoy with photography. I was challenged by the creatives that had visions and ideas that I needed to transfer into images, hard but so rewarding and I learned a lot from it and it made me grow as a photographer.

The very interesting thing is that one of the jobs I only got because of my street photography and candid captures (which is my passion), to my delight that is what I got to do, for several days I walked the streets with police officers in different parts of London, some areas more challenging than others and a little bit scary at times as well. I got to capture all walks of life and the fantastic characters out there, especially in the East End

For the commercial shoots I strictly use my Nikon 7100 with a 35mm prime but my Fujifilm x-t10 came out to play to and from my jobs and when just hanging around waiting for people. I have also embarked on a diploma in Street Photography to challenge and develope myself further.

Here are a few of my captures but with over 3000 pictures taken I'm still going through them to see what gems I can rustle up.

Spring & Bluebells in Oxleas Wood - Eltham, SE9 (Greenwich)

April 24, 2016

Spring is truly upon us and I am so lucky to have these woods & meadows on my doorstep where I can go and explore daily if I so wish.

What was great fun this time around is that I finally feel more comfortable with the settings on my Fujifilm X-T10, I now tend to shoot in aperture and it is very easy to tweak when needed as well as to adjust exposure and ISO. Quite pleased with the bokeh & DoF but plenty to still discover and learn.

This walk was late in the afternoon so approaching golden hour and very few people about, I could hear the blackbirds, robins and the odd schreek from the green parrots and the squirrels and foxes were darting about in the undergrowth (need to invest in a zoom for this). It almost felt like I was in a fairytale and that a Disney princess would suddenly appear amongst the animals and flowers in the golden light.

Mirrorless & Weddings

April 07, 2016

I was incredibly flattered to be asked by a friend of mine to capture her and her hubby's wedding day last month. I loved the theme of rock'n roll and as luck have it, just down the road at Woolwich Town Hall and then a party in a pub nearby, I was even more over the moon when they wanted most of it to be captured in a candid format with the exception of a few posed family pictures as this is my default style and at my happiest capturing

It dawned on me then that I could use the mirrorless Fujifilm as a back up and second camera to my Nikon so I didn't have to swap lenses around and it is actually quite good in low light and almost soundless if you turn the mechanical shutter noise off.

As I have mentioned before the battery life is poor on the mirrorless (I only seem to get about 285 pictures per charge, this is possibly because I have both the eye detector and back display activated) but I have invested in a few extra that I had charged up in advance and kept in my bag for an easy swap. It is also so incredibly lightweight in comparison to the Nikon with the artlens attached that you hardly notice it round your neck.

It's a stressful time I find when you get back home to download and go through the pictures to see that you have captured those special moments and that they are sharp and not blown out or too dark before choosing which ones to post edit, I was very pleased with the results and here are a few pictures from the day.

Street Photography, a joy with mirrorless

February 21, 2016

So my new toy Fujifilm X-t10 arrived and I have to say, it has been great fun to get to know this sleek and lightweight addition to my gear. Initially I felt lost as all of the dials and settings were different and frankly, the electronic viewfinder first made me feel a bit nauseous but that quickly went away after I hade tweaked the viewfinder sharpness.

I can't get over how light and small it is compared to my Nikon and how well it works in a street photography setting, it doesn't draw any attention to you and it is super sharp.

I also find that you can easily 'shoot from the hip' and it comes out surprisingly sharp, in addition the exposure compensation is really powerful and I have played some with the shutter speed but yet to delve deeper into the aperture as that works a bit differently.

The colours come out beautifully and to my pleasant surprise this little beast competes really well with the architecture, lowlight and landscape captures as well.

The only couple of drawbacks I have found so far are that the battery only lasts for roughly 300 captures (but a spare or two doesn't cost that much) and the lenses are very expensive so I will try to get a converter and see if the Nikon primes I have will work sufficiently. Possibly also the DoF but then I need to experiment more and get to know the aperture settings further before I can really make a call on that.

Hey ho, hey ho, off to work we go -  Bishopsgate, London — Hey ho, hey ho, off to work we go - Bishopsgate, London

Street Photography

January 31, 2016

I have found that I am getting more and more passionate about street photography, candid people shots and the day to day life in London. I am incredibly lucky in that my normal job takes me to a different place/area in London every day of the week - So with the camera always living in my bag I come across everything from gorgeous sunrises over Tower Bridge, cityscapes, steel and glass in the City, mad hatters in Camden and markets in Spitalfield Greenwich and Hampstead...all with people getting on with their lives whom are just screaming out to be captured.

It's very heavy gear to carry as I tend to walk to my destination from main railway stations ( especially with paperwork and laptop that are supposed to go on my journey as well) so I am actually contemplating changing gear, or well adding to it and go down the mirrorless route as it is much less intrusive, incredible clarity in the pictures and very good in low light. Hours have been spent scouring websites and reviews and have narrowed it down to Fujifilm either the X-T1 or XT10, all depends on the deals out there. The Nikon will stay but more for the specific advertising and commission work that I do now and again.

So watch this space ,another exciting path to go down on the journey of photography.

Here are a few examples what those morning walks to work have produced so far.

A collaboration with Capital Art Gallery in Eltham, SE9

January 08, 2016

Couldn't believe my eyes when I walked past the Capital Art Gallery today, the cheeky collaboration between myself and Karl (the proprietor) had been finished and was on a display in the window, more beautiful and vibrant then I remembered when I saw the first draft. it's a fusion of two locations in London, South Molton Street and New Bond Street.

Why not pop in for a look,

13 Well Hall Parade
Well Hall Road

SE9 6SP
karlsproat@btinternet.com

Tel: 020 88504939

New Year, New development and fun

January 08, 2016

So a new year has arrived and I am wishing you all a healthy and happy 2016.

We spent some of the holiday in Sweden but to the disappointment of my daughter (and the rest of us) the snow only arrived as we literally were taking off to go back to the UK, saying that though we had sunny days with a beautiful and low sun, great light to take pictures in

We took the new family dog Sluggo for walk and came across a heron taking flight .

Then on our return we went to Hobbledown for a party which was great fun.

Exhibition done and dusted

December 06, 2015

So my first exhibition at Capital art gallery in Eltham has come to an end as of yesterday 5th Dec (saying that, the pictures will be up for most of next week).

A long but fabulous day that started off a little bit slow but meant that all of us artists could mingle, network and get to know each other - amazing group of people with so much talent. Well the afternoon arrived and so did the customers as well as my lovely family and friends. I sold a fair bit and got a couple of orders for customised pictires. My hubby and sister brought some bubbly when picking me up so it was a perfect end to the perfect day.

The time has come - Exhibition at Capital Art Gallery in Eltham starts 30th Nov

November 29, 2015

Finally, the Meet the Artist Exhibition has arrived, just putting the finishing touches to some mounts, frames and canvases so it is all spick and span and ready for the upcoming exciting week.

The exhibition runs from tomorrow 30th November to Saturday 5th December which is also the day when all participating artists will be there to chat about and showcase their art. I will also be there on Friday between 12-3pm for you that can't make it at the weekend.

Capital Art Gallery, 13 Well Hall Parade, Eltham, SE9 6SP - Hope to see you there.