Day 59: 28th February

Yoga Mat

Sunday morning yoga - revitalising, relaxing and pink!!

1/30, F5, 39mm, ISO 200

Day 58: 27th February

Grape Hyacinths



I love the fresh green of the leaves, the earthy texture of the bulbs and the glimpse we get of flowers just starting to peek their tiny heads towards the light.

1, F22, 45mm, ISO 800

Day 57: 26th February

Tomato Ketchup Bottles

Browsing in the Conran Shop I came across these icons of kitschness - just need a bag of chips now!

1/25, F4.9, 17.4mm

Day 56: 25th February

Left behind Autumn Leaf

This poor soul was resting his weary self on a huge plastic manhole cover. Time to return back to the earth again I think, now that spring's here!

1/320, F4, 12.1mm

Day 55: 24th February

Spring Bulbs

Something's springing up here! Quite strange amongst these autumny leaves, but refreshing to see that new life is finally on its way.

1/25, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 54: 23rd February

Escalator

Not easy getting a shot on a moving escalator! I like the way this picture combines the texture of the steps with the blur of movement to the side.

1/8, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 53: 22nd February

Bottomless Barrel

This garden barrel abandoned on a pavement was a bit of a strange sight. I liked the shape and the window effect it gave onto the greenery.

1/30, F3.5, 8.5mm

Day 52: 21st February

Spring Narcissus

One of my favourite flowers!

1/80, F6.3, 55mm, ISO 800

Day 51: 20th February

Window Shadows

A lonely corner of the Texas Embassy Bar, near Trafalgar Square, London.

0.4, F4, 12.1mm, ISO 400

Day 50: 19th February

Wall Colours

The range of colours in the bricks of this wall is just incredible!

1/640, F5.6, 5.8mm, ISO 400

Day 49: 18th February

Stamps

1/50, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 48: 17th February

Peter Jones, Sloane Square

This department store on the west side of London's Sloane Square, was built between 1932 and 1936. Designed by William Crabtree, the building featured the first glass curtain walling in Britain and is now a Grade II Listed Building. I really like the shape and would love to get up onto those top floor balconies!

1/320, F8, 12.1mm

Day 47: 16th February

Umbrella Reflected

1/20, F4.9, 17.4mm, ISO 400

Publication

March's issue of Lambeth Life, my local Council's monthly magazine, features my Day 5 photograph. Have a look at Page 2!

Day 46: 15th February

Hungerford Bridge, London

Crossing the bridge to the South Bank for dinner. You can actually feel it wobble a little bit if you pause for a moment!

1/8, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 45: 14th February

Valentine's Fondue



Marshmallows and chocolate - what better way to celebrate?!

1/40, F5.6, 53mm, ISO 1600

Day 44: 13th February

Floridita Cocktail




Celebrating a friend's birthday at this Latin nightclub!

0.8, F4, 12.1mm, ISO 400

Day 43: 12th February

Chinese New Year Preparations

We celebrated the start of the Year of the Tiger a few days early at the language school where I work. This picture depicts the calm before the storm - moments later students descended from classrooms to enjoy Chinese dumplings and green tea prepared by their peers.

1/10, F3.5, 10.1mm

Day 42: 11th February

Blue Sky Building

It might be cold out there, but the sky is blue today!

1/500, F4, 12.1mm

Day 41: 10th February

Spring Colour

The bright colours in this bunch of flowers really cheered up our office today!

1/25, F4, 25mm, ISO 200

Day 40: 9th February

Platform for Art

London Underground's public art programme is designed to showcase and celebrate the capital's rich and vibrant art scene. The works aim to enhance and enrich the journeys of their audience - underground passengers. This one certainly cheered me up!

1/8, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 39: 8th February

Bloom

This installation outside the Royal British Society if Sculptors responds to the motion of people as they enter the building. It is also affected by different light levels, so as the sun shines the flowers gently bloom, opening their petals up to the sunlight. A bright surprise on a cloudy London day!

1/25, F4.5, 14.4mm

Day 38: 7th February

Red Doorway

Vibrant colours hope to draw the hungry person into this Indian Restaurant in Crystal Palace.

1/50, F5, 42mm, ISO 640

Day 37: 6th February

First Signs of Spring




Snowdrops - always a joy to see, finally it seems there is life after the long winter!

1/25, F22, 40mm, ISO 800

Day 36: 5th February

World Press

1/60, F4, 12.1mm

Day 35: 4th February

Bumpkins Restaurant

A simple and fresh decor, with nice symmetrical lines. I haven't eaten here yet, but I think I might soon!

1/125, F4, 12.1mm

Day 34: 3rd February

Imperial College

Great lines, shapes and reflections on this modern building, which is in stark contrast to the largely Victorian architecture of the area.

1/320, F3.5, 10.1mm

6 Tips for Photographing Reflections

Now I'm a month into Project 365, I'm starting to learn about the kinds of subjects that I enjoy photographing most. One of my favourites so far is reflections. My Day 22 picture provoked a lot of interest and has really got me thinking about the theme.

Here are a few tips for getting the best pictures of reflections:

1. Look up, down and all around!
* Wet paving on a rainy day offers great opportunities
* In the city, shop and bus windows reveal much of the world outside them
* Car bonnets can give you a fun and unusual shot
* Any kind of water - ponds, puddles, fountains - is a great source of reflection
* Mirrors, polished surfaces and shiny glass can be found in many places outside the home - doors, hotels, museums

2. Work your Camera Settings
* Use the highest quality settings you can to achieve really smooth tones
* Measure exposure from the reflection, which will allow the surroundings to be dark, bringing out the important bits

3. Experiment with Body Position
* Think about where you photograph from and try out new angles. You may need to get down very close to the ground or shoot from the hip to get the look you want
* Think about including yourself or others in the picture for added interest

4. Reflections on Water
* Keep your exposure short to freeze any movement
* Consider that whilst a polarising filter can make water look bluer, it could also remove some of the reflection you're trying to capture

5. Mirrors & Puddles
* Use maximum depth of field to ensure the sharp focus of your subject
* Use Manual Focus to get past the mirror to the image behind
* A long zoom and/or standing at a distance will help minimise the intrusion of your own reflection (unless you want to be in the picture of course!)

6. Post Production
* Increasing the contrast can really bring your reflection out and make it pop

Enjoy! For me reflections are a major element of the visual experience in a city, but are equally prolific in the countryside. Striking symmetrical effects and interesting interplays of light make them a really great photographic subject.

Here are some of my favourite reflection shots:

Day 33: 2nd February

Golden Door



I loved the brilliant shine of the door reflecting the buildings opposite, mixed with a glimpse of the expensive interior of this Kensington hotel.

1/40, F2.8, 5.8mm

Day 32: 1st February

Cobbles

1/100, F3.5, 10.1mm

Plates

1/60, F5.6, 41mm, ISO 1600

Day 31: 31st January

Paperweight

1/8, F4, 25mm, ISO 1600