Asian Landscapes

These photos were sent to me from a friend, a teacher I used to work with in Russia, so I thought I would share them. A mood of serenity perhaps with a touch of melancholic wistfulness is evoked; a temporary sanctuary from the pressures of work and studies. 

Photographs as Narratives

I was really pleased to find these photos all taken from "The Family of Man." This is effectively a photogaphy book first published by New York's Museum of Modern Art in 1955 and now in its 30th edition. Apparently every one of the 503 images displayed at the museum's exhibition have been reproduced in the book and these represent the "full gamut of life from birth to death with an emphasis on daily relationships" according to the book itself. Many of the photographs I've looked at really do echo what Montaigne once said: "every man beareth the whole stamp of the human condition." Interestingly he is aptly quoted in the book; a perfect story of mankind.

A British Car with Character

This is such a fine model of British automobile engineering and a car with a real character. It's incredible to think that Morgan Cars are still made to order from the factory in the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The company actually dates back to 1911. Unfortunately I think they are priced well beyond my reach. Perhaps as Edgar Allen Poe once said: "they who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream by night."

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/

Vignettes

I came across these photos earlier on while reading through 'The Independent' newspaper online. Perhaps though the term photo could be replaced with vignette as each face within each scene seems to tell a story in itself. They're almost like film stills initiating new encounters but anyway see what you think.

Photos are by Jason Bell.
 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/britons-in-new-york-2054878.html
or there's an audio slideshow at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11029799

A Winter Landscape

There's been a lot of criticism towards the authorities lately in Old Blighty but I love the winter snow clad landscape; to go out for a stroll in the crisp chill air is so refreshing and healthy too, as long as you're wrapped up of course. So why try to fly halfway around the world chasing the heat of the sunshine? There's nothing like returning home to a cosy warm room, pleasant music and a good film or an interesting novel after a morning or afternoon stroll . So here are a few photos of the beautiful winter.  

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams is one of my all time favourite photographers. His compositions from the 1930's and early 40's, generally of Yosemite National Park in California, are so well balanced and thought through. It's incredible to imagine how such evocative images were created on a manual monochrome camera. Perhaps photography was an art form then and able to stand alongside landscape paintings.

                         http://connect.in.com/ansel-adams/wallpaper-gallery-22773-2.html

A City Night

I love the atmosphere that this photo creates. It's interesting how it's in black and white too which reminds me of the film "Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona" in which Cristina who is wishing to pursue her new hobby of photography is encouraged to abandon her digital camera in favour of a manual one ~ Food for thought ~

Blowing Bubbles ^^

Bank Holiday Weekend

It's great to have a long weekend; an ideal opportunity to tidy up the flat. This seems to be an ongoing task with me as work and research take up so much time. I guess that's the problem when you live in a world of books and learning, other things can be neglected. Perhaps these are more important too as time is continuing on. Anyway it's time to have lunch and enjoy the rest of the day.

Harmony

This picture seems to say so much about what really matters today~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10913479

A 4 hour drive

This is Kazan in Russia ~ a beautiful city and a 4 hour drive away from the town where I was working. The town was the place in which I met many warm and welcoming people.

Finding my way and my trip to Russia.

This is a great thing to do and is becoming quite a habit now. I'm just looking around at my flat and things need sorting out so it's time for a well overdue spring-clean albeit in August. Oh well it's typical with me ~ reading and painting first then do the other things later. I'm learning Russian too as I've worked over there; 5 ice rinks in one city and -25c with a metre of snow, wonderful.
(The photos were taken in Kazan)

Just a few photos of Cambridge ~ lovely city

Welcome To My Blog

Welcome to my blog~

I'm new to all this so just finding my way round at the moment.