Long Exposures Through the Day

Final series of long exposures from our London trip. These weren't taken on the same day but are in approximate time order though the sky conditions were different on the three days. First three images are all at 30secs with the 'big stopper' neutral density filter; Westminster Bridge 20secs (very impressed Phil stood still for most of the exposure), next two 15seconds and last two 60 seconds when fully dark. 

 

London Long Exposures at Dusk

I purchased a variable neutral density filter some years ago and was disappointed that it didn't work on my Fuji wide-angle lens. However I recently tried it on the X1000v and found it worked fine so I am now experimenting with very long exposures. Christmas Day was very murky and misty in London. Here are a few images that worked relatively well with the filter rotated to give 30-50 seconds exposures. Keeping the camera still on a fairly flimsy tripod proved a challenge!

Southbank London

We ended our final walk of our Christmas break at Southbank, as on our first day. It was a lot busier than Xmas Eve but people were keeping their distance and most, like us, were wearing masks when in busier areas. Certainly images that record the 2021 Covid Christmas in London.

Tate Modern

We booked tickets for the Tate Modern yesterday where the Turbine Hall exhibit is an impressive installation of intelligent robot jelly fish and fungi by Anicka Yi called In Love with the World. The drone-controlled intelligent sculptures float around responding to human warmth so gather where people are, supposedly emitting smells though this was not apparent (https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/hyundai-commission-anicka-yi). They learn from each other much as fungi react in the natural world.

 It was ticket entrance with no queueing and the galleries were pleasantly empty giving great opportunities for the type of compositions that I enjoy.

Trafalger Square Fountains and Lights

The first four images of Trafalgar Square were taken yesterday at the blue hour as dusk arrived. The Christmas market added another dimension to the images but the fountains are the stars. We had a break for something to eat and returned an hour later when it was fully dark and exposures of 30 seconds were need. My favourite is the last image with the spotlight illuminating Nelson and the cloud breaking using a10mm lens.

Pinhole View of London

 My pinhole is an ideal 'lens' to take on a walking holiday as it is very light and compact being a modified lens cap with an insert of foil containing a central pinprick. They work best in bright light but thought I would try a few yesterday as dusk fell on a very cloudy afternoon. The exposures were between 25secs and 8 minutes depending on the light available. The results are reminiscent of the images that I would have been so delighted with using my first camera (a Box Brownie) visiting central London on the bus and then developing and printing the images on our dining room table. The skyline would have been a bit different!!