Skies Over Old Kent Road: A Glimpse of the Everyday Sublime

 There's something uniquely captivating about the skies above London. Even in the most urban of settings, where concrete and industry dominate the landscape, moments of unexpected beauty can emerge. This shot, taken On Verney Road, a short walk off the bustling Old Kent Road, perfectly encapsulates that feeling.

At first glance, it's a typical industrial backdrop. We see the silhouette of a chimney stack reaching skyward, a testament to the area's working-class heritage and ongoing activity. To the right, the skeletal frame of a crane hints at development and change – a constant in this ever-evolving city. And of course, the dark, angular roofline of a building grounds the scene, providing a sense of scale.

But then, your eyes lift, and the magic happens. The expansive sky, a canvas of soft blues and gentle greys, stretches out above. A lone aeroplane, a tiny speck against the vastness, slices through the air, leaving a crisp white contrail in its wake. This fleeting line, a temporary scar on the heavens, speaks of journeys, connections, and the invisible pathways that crisscross our world.

It's a reminder that even amidst the grit and grime of city life, there are always elements of grace and grandeur. The sky, unburdened by the earthly structures below, offers a sense of freedom and perspective. It's a place where dreams take flight, quite literally, and where the mundane can momentarily transform into something profound.

Next time you're navigating the familiar chaos of the Old Kent Road, take a moment to look up. You might just catch your own glimpse of the everyday sublime.

I took this picture with a Nikon d3300 on the 28th April 2016, clicking it should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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The picture remains the copyright of Colin Green.

Chasing the Golden Hour: My Scammonden Sunset Experiment

Sometimes, the most beautiful moments are fleeting. A perfect sunset, a burst of vibrant colour, a gentle transition from day to night. Capturing that magic is a challenge, but one I decided to take on back in August 2018.

On Saturday, August 4th, I found myself perched near the serene Scammonden Reservoir, nestled in the heart of the Ryburn Valley. The air was alive with a restless wind, a constant reminder of nature's untamed energy. My mission? To track the setting sun as it dipped behind the distant hills, painting the valley in hues of orange and gold.

"Scammonden Sunset" is the result of that evening's endeavour. I set up my tripod, pointed my camera, and let the sun dictate the scene. For a full 20 minutes, I patiently recorded the slow, mesmerizing descent. The wind, however, had other plans. It buffeted my tripod, causing a few wobbles that, while a tad frustrating at the time, now add a touch of raw authenticity to the final product.

The real magic happened in the editing room. I compressed those 20 minutes of real-time sunset into a mere 37 seconds, transforming the gradual shift into a breathtaking, accelerated spectacle. The result is a short, punchy video that captures the essence of the sunset's beauty in a blink.

To enhance the experience, I added a musical score, carefully chosen to complement the visual journey. The music, I believe, adds an emotional layer, amplifying the sense of awe and tranquility that the sunset evokes.

This was my first attempt at filming a sunset in this way, and while it wasn't without its challenges (thanks, wind!), I'm quite pleased with the outcome. It's a reminder of the simple beauty that surrounds us, and the power of time-lapse to condense those moments into something truly captivating.

Sometimes, imperfections add character. Those little tripod wobbles, the gusts of wind – they’re part of the story, a testament to the real, unfiltered experience of capturing nature's fleeting beauty.

If you've ever found yourself mesmerized by a sunset, I hope "Scammonden Sunset" resonates with you. It's a small window into a moment in time, a reminder to pause and appreciate the natural wonders that surround us.

Perhaps this inspires you to capture your own sunset, or simply to take a moment to appreciate the next one you witness. After all, every sunset is a unique masterpiece, painted across the canvas of the sky.

The video was filmed using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera.

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The video remains the copyright of Colin Green.