Shad Thames is the name of this thoroughfare running alongside Butler's Wharf (seen on the left in the photograph) which was once the largest warehouse serving the River Thames. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames close to Tower Bridge, the warehouse was built in 1871 and fell out of use in the 1970's remaining derelict for some years. Redevelopment in the 1980's turned Shad Thames and Butler's Wharf into one of the more fashionable areas of London full of restaurants, cafes, bars and small businesses such as architects, estate agents and wine merchants. Butler's Wharf itself was turned into luxury apartments where a riverside apartment with a view of Tower Bridge can be had today for a mere 4.25 million pounds! The apartments can be seen in my image "Butler's Wharf" This is a shot that took a little time. I wanted to do a HDR as the area was quite dark with the tall buildings on either side and I needed to get just one or two people as the focal point rather than the crowds that were milling around. Most of the crowds disappeared just as this couple came along and the shot was made. Photomatix did a grand job with the 'ghosting' caused by the moving subjects and I really like the feel of the image. For some reason it reminds me of the cover of Bob Dylan's Freewheelin' album.
Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, England Abbeys tend to be far less ornate than cathedrals but no less grand in their design. Tewkesbury Abbey is a good example with its huge open nave and massive simple unadorned pilars. Here there is beauty in simplicity and a peace in the openness. Simple. Elegant. Beautiful.
Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, England Most people are familiar with Anthony Gormley’s statutes on Crosby beach which are engulfed by the incoming tide bit may not be familiar with the same concept in Winchester Cathedral. Here one of Gormley’s figures stands in the crypt silently contemplating a cup of water in it’s hands. During wet weather the crypt floods and the stature stands knee deep in water much as those on Crosby beach. Unfortunately it is next to impossible to get a photograph at that point as the crypt is closed to visitors when flooded.
