Cuban history in bricks and mortar..

Penultimate post on Cuba, I'm certainly going to miss looking at the blue skies in these photos compared with the constant grey sky and rain we've been experiencing for how long now!? Anyway, still this one and one other to go to help keep SAD away! Buildings were so ornate, yet so run down in some places, and everything had a lot of character. 

This is the Hotel Nacionale in Havana, as you can see, not run down like the photo before. This hotel was built by the Mafia and is an amazing building inside and out with beautiful gardens. A definite must if you find yourself in Havana.

This is the old wall that surrounded Havana. The wall was knocked down to enlarge the city but parts still remain such as this one and denote 'Old Havana'. 

Can't get enough of the Cemetery!

I hope this post finds you well and not experiencing a bad case of the January blues! Hopefully some sunshine in these pictures will brighten up your day a bit. And guess what? I have been back to a cemetery to take them. ;-) I just love going to a cemetery and taking shots, I'm sorry but I do! There are some beautiful graves and some also beautifully cared for plus you get lots of greenery and pretty plants. And when the sun is shining it can look truly magical. That's what I think anyway.

This is my fave image from this shoot and you wouldn't even know it was taken in graveyard would you? I just love the reflection in the puddle, who cares how dirty that water is?!

I Literally just turned 180 degrees to get these two shots and look at the difference in terms of light and general appearance?! Could have been in two completely different locations. Amazing what a simple change of direction can do...

The Best of 2012

So, we are well and truly in to the new year! I always like to have a bit of self reflection around this time and see how I have developed, improved and what I need and would like to work on. 

I also go through all of my photos from the past year (and there's a lot!) and make a 'Best of' collage. Most people are self critical, myself included, so I find it good practise to do this. It's sort of therapeutic. These are what I think are my best from this year, have a look through my blogpost and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Anyway, a short blogpost for you this week (sorry) I'm afraid as I am currently busy taking a gazillion photos for another project. Don't forget the exhibition is only a week away, please click here for more details.

Another trip to the Cemetery!

I know this isn't the most Christmassy blogpost given the time of year... But, maybe it is? For some people Christmas is about churches and these were taken in the grounds of the church so that counts, doesn't it?!

This photo is the real reason I went back to the cemetery!

Willesden Lane Cemetery Part 2

Here are a few more taken from Willesden Lane Cemetery. Lots of lovely textures from the leaves and the markings on the graves, and the creepy one at the bottom of a coffin. Scroll down to read more!

   

     

No cemetery would be complete without a....er... dog bin?! (Bottom Left) OK!

This one to the right was taken through a broken window of a crypt. Being only 5 foot nothing, I had to climb up a little, point and shoot. It was so dark inside that I couldn't make any shapes or anything out. PLUS (!) there were loads of cobwebs and anyone who knows me, knows just how much I hate those eight legged freaks so quite a big achievement for me! When I got home, I got straight to editing it and although it's not really clear, there definitely is a very old coffin in there. And actually, on this one occasion, I can forgive the presence of spiders and their webs because I think it works really well in this photo! 

Willesden Lane Cemetery

Not much to explain about this post. Me, my camera and Willesden Lane Cemetery. And this isn't all of them, more to follow.