Docklands Photo Walk
Last weekend eight of us set out on a walk through the Docklands with our cameras. Here’s a pictorial diary of the places we visited and sights we saw.
Starting at Canary Wharf we spent some time exploring Jubilee Park. This small oasis of calm sits above Canary Wharf tube station and is absolutely packed with city workers having lunch on a warm day.
We looked at photo examples of architecture and talked about how sometimes it is better to focus in on the details of a building rather than try and get the whole height of the building within one picture.
We then crossed over the bridge to the once bombed South Quay which is now as modern and busy as Canary Wharf is. This provides a nice view of the Millennium Dome across the West India Millwall Docks. It also offers some great abstract shots of shiny silver buildings, patterns and reflections.
Walking along the West side of Millwall Inner Dock, we discussed the issue of using images to tell a story. We looked at various themes we might concentrate our eye on and how to photograph some of the sights we had in front of us. One of these was the old cranes that line the docks.
We also spotted a SEAL but could any of us get a picture of it?! We tried and tried, but it was just too quick going back under the water. Still, a lovely animal to have seen living in the financial district!
Crossing over the bridge near Crosshabour we again spotted more wildlife to photograph. Swans nesting in a heap of rubbish was a sad sight and a tricky shot to get. However, I did find this lovely contrast of the ‘strong and elegant’ hanging just a short way away.
Leaving Millwall Outer Docks behind, we ventured into Mudchute Farm. It’s currently lambing session so we had fun stroking and photographing the lambs! We explored the use of macro settings (or a large aperture, small f number) to take close up photos of the animals and Spring blossom.
This is my favourite photo from Mudchute Farm but it is one that I took last year. The sheep just weren’t quite in the right place for a similar shot this time round :(
Some people had fun getting up close to the sheep; you’ll have to go to flickr to see that shot (and a similar version of the shot below but in colour)!
After passing through Millwall Park, we came to Island Gardens. Once home for me, and always home for the north end of Greenwich Foot Tunnel, we took a couple of shots of the great view across to Greenwich, before walking through the tunnel to get there.
I tried out a composition technique called ‘framing’ that was discussed earlier in the photo walk. You can see below, how the trees are positioned to act as a frame to the stunning Royal Naval College and people walking. Framing can add depth to an image as well as helping to direct the viewer to look at what we want them to see as important in the scene.
I also used the ‘rule of thirds’ technique which is great for beginners to learn. We looked at many photo examples of how this technique can be used to enhance our images.
Our final pictures of the day were taken in the Royal Naval College. It was teaming with tourists and lots of people taking photos! I took this shot because I liked the pattern of all the lines in the scene and I felt the people interacted well with the man-made environment.
Happily snapped out, a couple of us enjoyed a cool Summer-like pint in the Old Brewery before heading our separate ways.
If you would like to learn more about photography, please join me on the next Docklands Photo Walk on Easter Saturday 23rd April 10am-1pm. More photos can be found on flickr.
