Photo24 2016: Remains of the Day

A final set of daytime images from Photo24.  On the the Friday, Vic and I made it to the first 2 scheduled meet-ups, at Camden and the Shard.  Both of these meets were interrupted to some extent by the rain. At the latter meet, after it had cleared up, the tide was low enough that we could get down to the north bank shore-line for a few 10-stop shots.

On the Saturday morning, we had booked for an optional river cruise from Tower Bridge to Greenwich.  The grey overcast sky stopped their from being any really great shots from the boat.  And our one hour of free-time at Greenwich, before we had to get the boat back, was sadly before any of the indoor locations were open for business.   But this did mean we had a lot of time to talk to some of the other, rather tired looking, Photo24 participants.  After disembarking back at Tower Pier, the Siren call of a burger and a pint was greater than the prospect of a free tee-shirt.  So we skipped the debrief back at Covent Garden and headed off the Kings Cross instead.

 

 

Photo 24 2016: From Dusk Till Dawn

Regular visitors to this blog will know that night photography is one of my 'things'.  So it should come as no surprise that the main reason I take part in Photo24 is the opportunity to shoot through the night, in the heart of the city, in the company of other 'togs.   Sadly, this year, much of our plans regarding the night shoots didn't survive contact with the weather. 

Vic and I chose to miss the scheduled sunset meet at Westminster Bridge, instead heading for Tower Bridge.  A large bank of cloud to the west ensured that the sunset was less than thrilling.  Although, it did catch an attractive afterglow for a while.  The looming cloud bank should really have tipped us off as to what was to come.  By 11pm we had reached the next meet-up point, at Liverpool Street station, for a late night walk through the City.  Probably half the people taking part in the event (maybe a 100 or so) had chosen to join in this walk and we all set off in a big long line.  We didn't get far.  No sooner had we reached the Gherkin than the rain hit with a vengeance.  Sixty or so 'togs made it to shelter under the eaves of the Gherkin and we spent the next hour there, whilst the rain came down in stair-rods.  All credit to the building security, who were very understanding about the whole thing.  Apologies to the customers of the bar inside, many of whom apparently delayed going home, to find out which celebrity had drawn such a big group of 'paparazzi'.  Eventually, the rain stopped and we completed a shortened version of the walk, reaching St Paul's in time to watch the building illumination be turned off for the night. 

From St Paul's Vic and I hopped a night bus back to the West-end.  We rested for a while in a McDonalds on the Strand; the night-time clientèle of which could best be described as 'colourful' and 'lively'.    Fully caffeinated, we moved on to the sunrise meet at Westminster Bridge.  Again that same troublesome cloud bank saw off the sunrise.  Photo24 has been running for 4 years and, I'm told, they haven't had a decent sunrise yet.  Oh well, maybe next year.

Photo24 2016: British Museum

Last weekend, and for the second time, I took part in Photo24.  This is a 24 hour photo event in London, organised by Photography News and sponsored by Nikon.  My mate Vic and I joined 250 other photographers, from across the country, in a hotel in Coven Garden at Noon on the Friday, with the aim of making it back there 24 hours later.  In between there would be regular meet-ups across the city and some organised trips.

Last time, Vic and I went into the day without any real plan.  This time, we had a clearer idea the places we definitely wanted to hit and how we could best link these together.  First stop was the Great Court at the British Museum.  I know this is a location that has been done to death photographically speaking, and by better 'togs than me.  But I had never shot it properly, and since we were near by, it seemed the logically start.   Naturally, we first headed to the viewing gallery that offers 'the shot'.  But after that we explored the court more fully.  I particularly enjoyed the lead-lines and frames it offered for people shots.  We managed a couple of hours there before heading to the first official meet-up.

 

 

 

 

Photo24: Remains of the Day

A final set of images from Photo24, featuring day shots from both the Saturday and the Sunday.  As I said previously, the weather was not really our friend.  The Saturday afternoon meet was at the Shard.  Vic and I arrived a little late and I managed one shot with the Lee Big Stopper before the rain hit.

Sunday morning, post dawn, the South Bank had little to offer.  No warm early light.  The drunks had long since wended their way home and the joggers weren't up yet.  The only photographic subjects were other slightly broken photographers.

The morning meet on Sunday was at Columbia Road Flower Market.  It is an interesting venue, and one I have shot a couple of times previously, but the stall holders can get a bit leery of photographers at the best of times.  The hoard that descended first thing on Sunday morning may have a bit much for them.  After an hour or so chat with other 'togs and a few shots, we headed to Brick Lane (more for tea and a decent slice of cake than for the market or street art) and a slow saunter back to the the hotel that was our starting venue 24 hours earlier.  Of the 250 or so plucky individuals who began, about 90 made it back for the debrief and the all important tee-shirt.

24 Hours, 38 km walked, 512 frames shot (70% of which were subsequently binned.  Hey, that's good by my spray and pray standards!).  Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Where's the queue for next year?