A couple of days in London

[Kaye Leggett]

We have just treated ourselves to a couple of days in our great capital city. As well as just enjoying being a tourist on home turf, I had two photographic aims: 1. to take some good architecture shots and 2. To capture some street scenes.

Here are a couple of my architecture shots


Taken from the sixth floor of the V&A museum, looking across its roof




St Pancras Station from the new Kings' Cross development




Gasholder Garden, Kings Cross




The Gherkin from the Cheesegrater




C&C are very welcome

[Donald]

We always say, don't we (well, I do), that B & W is about line, shape, tone and texture. Here is the evidence; the example.

I love it.

The others are good. The third one is a bit busy and abstract for me, but that's a personal thing. And that diagonal structure in from of the gherkin is a bit bold. I might have cropped a bit from the bottom of the second one and gone for a 4:5 ration shot, but it is a wonderfully well processed and presented image.

But as for this one ........! Wonderful.

[bnnrcn]

I really like 1,2 and 4 Kaye Very nice compositions and I also like the BnW conversions.I think #4 needs some perspective correction .

[Mike Buckley]

Perhaps your best set, Kaye. The reflections and the last image's bold juxtaposition of the old and the new are just wonderful.

[John 2]

A good set by any standards Kaye but also some very original views. St Pancras is my favourite. Such good use of lead lines and framing.

[wilgk]

Very impressive
The first 2 in particular really stand out for me.
I am enjoying admiring something which I, whilst in the same place, probably would not see...thank you for your vision.

[ionian]

Great images Kaye, 1&2 in particular.

[Geoff F]

Some unusual angles here; but they work well.

[Sam W]

Nice series Kaye. I agree with Donald as #1 is my favorite.

[Tony M]

Yes, #1 is terrific. B&W does it justice.

I like the perspective of #4; however, the diagonal structure does not enhance it in my opinion. And yes, perspective correction would improve it.

I may be visiting London soon and will seek out these viewing points - thanks!

Tony

[Shadowman]

All very interesting, I like the color shot best.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thank you all for your kind comments and as usual the diverse opinion of which you prefer most.

No 4 already has persective correction applied - any more and I lost the 'girder' structure on the cheesegrater which left the diagonal hanging on it's own, but maybe I'll play again to try and improve it.
Thanks Mike for spotting the juxtaposition - it was one of my aims in these images although I have to say it is quite easy to achieve in London.
Tony, if you're visiting London, take a trip around the Kings Cross area, it's still in construction being regenerated from the old railway yards, but is amazing - I've already promised myself to go back in a couple of years time to see the finished area. Also the City of London for the new buildings - it's very much a business area rather than a tourist area (so go in the week as it is dead at weekends), but fabulous for the new architecture and mostly pedestrianised.

Thank you all

[Rebel]

These are great Kaye, the theme of these is very much 'Reflection' for me.

[Wavelength]

I am a fan of these images

[IzzieK]

My vote goes to #1 and #2 -- #1 because of the lines and shapes and the composition to shoot it is absolutely brilliant. In the old, I would have walked away from such a scene because I will not be able to see anything interesting about it. But you showed this very well indeed. In #2, I have always looked for something like this, but so far, it has been elusive. One day....

Just to let you know, I am not too keen on the Gherkin shot though I like the colour because the building at the bottom seems to be leaning inwards. Mind you, I do suffer from such images when I use my UWA so I guess I am sort of feeling giddy just seeing another one from others. I wonder if this is hard to fix? Maybe separate the building and straighten it? I don't know...but it is a good idea when I was typing this though...

[Kaye Leggett]

Continued thanks for the comments. Matt - thanks for the theme idea - I have more to process so will try and further it. Izzie, thanks for the further thoughts on the Gherkin - again I have some others (albeit not from the cheesegrater) and will look again. Maybe Gherkins and Cheesegraters just do not mix !!!! We are spoilt in London for photo opportunities - any time you're this way Izzie, let me know and I'd gladly show you around.

[IzzieK]

Continued thanks for the comments. Matt - thanks for the theme idea - I have more to process so will try and further it. Izzie, thanks for the further thoughts on the Gherkin - again I have some others (albeit not from the cheesegrater) and will look again. Maybe Gherkins and Cheesegraters just do not mix !!!! We are spoilt in London for photo opportunities - any time you're this way Izzie, let me know and I'd gladly show you around.

Thanks for the invite...you do the same when you come over here. I am just a PM away.

[pnodrog]

All very good, bold compositions but the mix of architectural styles in 2 and its strong lead in lines makes it my favorite. Good use of reflections too.

[ST1]

Very good series Kaye, well seen and captured