VISUAL HAIKU

I’ve been thinking about using my photographs to create visual haikus. The original inspiration is a Japanese poem often evoking nature and ephemera. The traditional format for a haiku is three lines containing 17 syllables (the first line has 5 syllables , line two 7 and line three 5). Here is an experimental autumnal haiku … Read more

Snow, Play and Creativity in the Age of Immersive Experiences

I took some photographs on Hampstead Heath on a snowy December day. Why did it feel so special and different? London last had snow in February 2021 – nearly 2 years ago and also during the period of the 3rd National Lockdown. This December’s snow has now disappeared, and it arrived suddenly, blanketing the roofs, … Read more

Documenting Graffiti, Signs & Stickers: Interactions with Bins as Expressions of British Identity

I’m proposing that graffiti and stickers found on bins and the signage connected to littering represent a microcosm of British attitudes, opinions and culture. Before you dismiss this as rubbish (!) have a look at this selection of images taken in London, mainly since 2019. The image below was taken at a bus stop in … Read more

Representations of Animals in the Neighbourhood

In this blog I’m featuring photographs I’ve taken of animals whilst walking in my local neighbourhood. The selection spans both representations of animals and real living creatures, and is chosen from images taken over the past year. I had a recent surprise encounter with a camel in Kentish Town. I was walking down a side … Read more

Reflecting on a Year of the Pandemic at a Time of Renewal

The blossoms are out and the days are getting longer. I’ve been trying to live more in the moment as a way of coping with life under lockdown, and perhaps I’ve been even more tuned in than usual to changes in my immediate environment. In essence it is the notion of Carpe Diem – seizing … Read more

Journey Towards the Last Days of Autumn

In this post I’m featuring new images taken in the last month that contain references to nature’s golden and metallic hues, and combining them with visual associations photographed in previous Novembers. The journey starts locally, just up the road to me. A pile of golden fallen leaves is juxtaposed with a rolled up Persian rug … Read more

Visuals of Sad Faces and Downturned Mouths

I was in Venice last week for my birthday, staying on the Lido. On a visit to the mainland I photographed a section of a shop window that caught my eye: On the left, the mask has a downturned mouth. On the right the face has big bushy white eyebrows and deep grooves chiselled in … Read more

London in Lockdown Part 4 : Outdoor Practice

Back in March 2020 in the early days of the London lockdown I posted a blog about exercising and dancing in one’s home environment. Increasingly I’ve noticed people are taking to the outdoors for all sorts of activities, not just physical exercise. At the onset of the lockdown joggers dominated the paths; but jogging is … Read more

Signs of the Times

I’ve gathered a selection of signs and messages that I’ve encountered during the past month. They date from 20 March, 2020, several days before London lockdown was announced to images taken this week. Some are official, some intimate, some are signs of gratitude and hope. They range from examples of orders and restrictions created by … Read more

Photographic Encounters with Surgical Masks

As I write in the midst of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic there have been over 800,000 cases worldwide resulting in a death toll exceeding 40,000. The UK has officially been in lockdown for over a week; the government advice is to stay home. The only exceptions are going out for daily exercise and shopping for food … Read more