Clifton Catholic Cathedral

Planned in the 1960s at the height of brutalism architecture in the UK with construction taking place 1970-73. The  exterior cladding is pre-cast concrete panels of pink Aberdeen granite aggregate, with contrasting white concrete piers marking the angles and portals. Concentric stages of walling rise to a steep double pyramid roof. A cross in a tripartite spire of bevelled fins, rises to 167' . In plan the church is an irregular hexagon subdivided internally into varied polygons. The controlling module for all angles and dimensions is an eighteen inch equilateral triangle; a classical approach giving unity. The exposed white concrete interior was cast in-situ using Russian redwood formwork giving very crisp texture. The concrete was all mixed by one man. The plywood tetrahedra in the nave ceiling are part of the acoustic scheme.

Architectural Colours and Reflections

 I am working on a talk on architectural photography so an opportunity in my free time in Bristol to gather a few more images featuring the older coloured house in Bristol and their modern concrete versions, reflections and general abstracts.

M-Shed Bristol

I enjoyed a visit to the M-shed  in Bristol with its innovative internal architecture and great displays illustrating Bristol's people and places. I played around with multiple exposure which worked well with the bright colours and open staircases

St Mary Redcliffe Bristol

St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol is a Grade 1 listed building in Bristol. The first reference to a church on the site appearing in 1158,^[2] with the present building dating from 1185 to 1872. I enjoyed time photographing the very ornate interior using 9 stop high dynamic range bracketing.

First Breeding Bird Survey of 2024

Yesterday was my first Breeding Bird Survey for 2024 in Hardwick Woods on a cool misty but relatively bright morning starting at the required half hour after sunrise (yes I waited till the clocks went forward!). This Dunnock typifies the 'soft' light conditions. The wood is currently closed to the public and will be for the foreseeable future - this is to protect the habitat. Even with the closure people have been tramping through especially off the main tracks which are knee deep in mud in places - this is resulting in damage to the environment.  The spring flowers are mostly in bloom with the bluebells just starting. Most of images were taken looking into the wood from the Bridleway; The Oxlips were through the fence in the new enclosure which I helped coppice this year - the plants are thriving in the open canopy and away from munching deer.