Morning sun

The highlight of last week was 'We'll Take Manhattan' (pictured below), dramatised events of the 1962 fashion photo shoot in New York for Vogue. This film depicts moments when fashion photography was revolutionised and transformed our view on fashion photography.

I have read a number of reviews about this drama, some of which were not that flattering. My favourite one is that David Bailey simply could not be the one to decide who is pretty enough (or not) to go to New York for a photo shoot . The drama certainly suggests David Bailey putting a condition that the model would be Jean Shrimpton or there is not going to be any photo shoot (or at least not by him). 

To be honest, I utterly enjoyed the drama no matter what the reviews say. Everybody knows that any dramatisation needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The underlying point is that such events happened and even now fashion photographers still celebrate these achievements. David Bailey's approach to photography was influential and brought liveliness into then 'stuffy' portrayal of fashion.

What I enjoyed even more was the document afterwards about David Bailey. What has stayed with me the most is his comment about his subjects. Apparently, if the models arrive having a good day, they photograph 'good' atmosphere. Similarly, if they have a bad day, 'bad' is the atmosphere of the photo shoot. What this means to me is to decide on my subject, determine its settings and focus on photographing this. (I have noticed that my pictures have been turning more and more towards snapshots.)

This is why I got up quite early on Saturday morning and set off to catch the morning sun in Kensington Gardens. I have to admit, I was a bit late. However, I still managed to take a few interesting morning shots.

If I was not certain that this is morning I would argue that both these pictures could have been taken during sunset.

Here it looks that it was really dark when in fact some ten minutes later the light of the day spread fully all around.

Indeed, these two images together with the intro one above were taken before, on my way to the park. You can see how much daylight had been around at this point.

I could not resist to capture the signature of morning on architecture - lights left on from the previous night.

Successful or not, I am glad I have done this exercise. To get up early on Saturday morning was strangely satisfying and the images I captured fill me with a certain pride. And all this thanks to 'We'll Take Manhattan' and a documentary on David Bailey.

Italian Gardens

It is January yet the sun keeps popping out from beyond the clouds. The crispiness that is created makes the days more alluring then ever I would say. Take the fountains of Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens opposite Lancaster Gate Station as an example.

When the sun hits such subject all you what to do is to stop and observe. You just want to soak this spectacular atmosphere.

Looking at the image above, one starts to wonder if this is really a water creation captured at the moment of a flourishing beauty or a glass installation instead.

Similarly, both these pictures taken 'in the moment' reveal such a perfection in motion. You can see the individual drops thrown back up when the masses fall down.

The Italian Gardens is a small patch of Kensington Gardens that is certainly worth visiting. If nothing else it is the combination of what water can become and the sculptures standing silently around that create such a backdrop of tranquility.


The Italian Gardens have been restored and the stonework cleaned recently; right in time for us to use it for its peace and elegnace. Therefore, see you there. Kx