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London Celebrates the Colourful and Exciting Chinese New Year 2013
The Year of the Snake
Colourful processions parade through London celebrating the Year of the Snake
The Chinese New Year is a fantastic display of colour. Chinese dragons, dancers, firecrackers and music are all part of this visually rich display. An amazing opportunity to experience this cultural event without even leaving the country! London popped with colour and vibrant display. The procession started in Trafalgar Square and made its way along Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue, skirting the edges of London’s Chinatown. People just packed the route. Not even the wet weather dampened the enthusiasm of the crowd as they cheered as the procession passed. Chinese Dragons just loved the crowds and playfully darted towards the crowd as they lined the streets. The crowds loved this too and playfully roared when the Dragon darted. Fabulous!
When I arrived there was no room at the front! I climbed onto a balustrade and held my camera above my head and fired a few continuous shots and bagged this beauty. The woman is extraordinarily beautiful in her richly embroidered costume of pinks and blues. The face make up is out of this world and she parades for all to see graciously bowing as she moves along.
Two men howl in Chinatown and celebrate the Chinese New Year London 2013
Chinatown was packed and the buzz was amazing. The colour red is everywhere in London’s Chinatown. These 2 guys howled and encouraged everyone to join in. Our howls reverberated through Chinatown. Next year is a must!
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts and delivers street photography workshops in London. Check out our photography courses page and learn creative photography with techniques exclusive to Lou Smith Fine Art Photography.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2013, All Rights Reserved
Posted in London Festivals
Also tagged chinatown london, london photography, street photography
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The Edge of Chinatown
The Edge of Chinatown
Chinatown is a heady place for photographers as it is bustling with activity and everything seems to happen at once. Sounds, voices, people, textures, colours, shop fronts, lanterns and amazing shaped foods and smells all rush at you. It is a real squeeze on the senses. In locations like this I usually look for elements which are isolated from the main burst of activity. In The Edge of Chinatown a young women looks out from a shop window, waiting to go home. It’s only 3.00 pm and the shop closes at 4.00 am – long way to go.
In this shot I used my 50mm lens, which is just great in the low light of Winter. No problems here as its nice and fast, quick to focus and click the shutter – job done. The shot is complete. I give the woman the thumbs up and she smiles as I walk away.
Looking at Me in Chinatown
Getting close again with the 50mm lens I want my subjects to look right into the camera lens. Looking at Me in Chinatown is a street portrait in which the subject challenges the viewer with her stare. I am only a few feet away and I know she sees me. This is exactly what I want in this series of street photography shots, direct visual contact with the subject.
Another day is over in Chinatown.
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts and delivers street photography workshops in London. Check out our photography courses page and learn creative street photography.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Street Vibe with Lou Smith
Street Photography as Stalls Sizzle and Buzz with Christmas Vibe
As London gears up for Christmas Street Photography is at its best. Stalls sizzle, pop and burn as smoke fills the air. Revellers come in close to the stalls to warm and fill themselves with Christmas cheer. It’s getting cold in London and the icy North wind just blows in. The cold blow never stops Christmas – it just makes it even more awsesome to take in the London Street Vibe. Here a touch of tinsel is the icing on the cake!
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts and teaches street photography in London. Check out our photography courses page.
See you soon…
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Street Photography
Also tagged london photography, photography courses, photography tours, South Bank, street photography
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William Klein | Great Photographer and Filmaker
William Klein: Creator of Iconic Images
‘I was an outsider, following my instincts’
An exclusive interview with photographer William Klein and a first-ever glimpse behind the scenes at his Paris studio.
Klein’s work is featured in the exhibition William Klein + Daido Moriyama at Tate Modern, 10 October 2012–20 January 2013.
This exhibition documents the creative energy of an photographer driven in the pursuit of his personal vision, changing the look of street photography forever. Visit this exhibition and then get in closer with your own street images.
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts and teaches street photography in London. Check out our photography courses page.
Standing in the Shadows – Street Photography
Dramatic Lighting Creates Intense Street Photography
This photograph combines elements of Creative Seeing in the composition – abstraction of forms, textures, exploring rich tonal contrasts and utilizing light and shade. The waiting figure adds the Street photography element. A sense of what is happening, what is going on, what is about to happen? is created.
The visiblilty of the figure emerges slowly from within the shadows which creates an evocative sense of mystery. It’s not always necessary to see everything crisply in a photograph. The angle of view, looking down adds another intense element to the photograph. A moment later the man has gone and the scene has changed! Street photography is fast and you have to be quick to capture the shot as the moment is elusive and everchanging.
“There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative. Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever.”- Henri Cartier-Bresson
For more information about photography courses contact Lou Smith. London Street Photography workshops with Lou Smith Fine Art Photography are a creative and inspirational experience.
See you soon…
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Photography Courses London, Street Photography, Urban Photography
Also tagged photography courses, street photography
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Chasing Light in Photography Whatever The Weather !
The Spirit of London as Crowds Make Their Way Home in the Rain
The never ending preoccupation with the weather is a feature of living in the UK. We talk about it all the time. We are either too hot, cold or wet! Whatever the weather, my photographer’s eye looks for light. The aftermath of rain creates amazing lighting conditions. Cast your mind back to the Thames River Pageant during the Diamond Jubilee and remember the weather – Yep! it did rain. In this photograph crowds make their way home in the pouring rain. This shot was taken as the crowd passed under a bridge which created pockets of light and shade. This gives an illuminated quality to parts of the crowd, while other areas are partially lit. The crowd slows and patiently moves forward to queue for the tube station. Perfect! Light and shadows creating a filmic quality to the scene.
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Street Photography, Urban Photography
Also tagged Diamond Jubilee 2012, london photography, street photography
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Photography Courses London – On the Street with Lou Smith
Street Photography Workshops London – Right Royal View
Street photography is a great way to document the time in which you live. 2012 has been a great year for the Brits in Flying the Flag. Union Jack craze has created a frenzy of flag waving during the Diamond Jubilee which was quickly followed by London Olympics 2012.
Right Royal View explores our relationship and fascination with Royalty. Scale of subjects is contrasted against the huge presence of the Royals! Yep! our fascination never stops.
Lou Smith teaches street photography courses in London. To learn the essentials of street photography, book a London street photography workshop with Lou Smith. Just follow this link for more information about Street Photography Courses in London
See you soon…
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer and is an expert tutor with over 25 years experience in the visual arts.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Big Ben Strikes Twelve! London Photography
Big Ben Strikes Twelve!
Big Ben Strikes 12 - Midday in London
Midday in London and Big Ben chimes. A solitary figure on London’s South Bank looks towards the imposing tower where Big Ben is housed. The skyline changes and she waits….
What happens next? Help to finish the story!
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2012, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Street Photography, Urban Photography
Also tagged london photography, South Bank, street photography
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Lou Smith Fine Art Photography – Moving Figures
Urban Flow
Here is a short film experiencing the ongoing Urban Flow. Sometimes it’s essential to use the video function on the trusted DSLR!
Crank up the volume and Enjoy!
Lou Smith runs photography courses in London.
Posted in Street Photography, Urban Photography, Video
Also tagged london photography, street photography, video
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Occupy London Protesters at St Paul’s Cathedral
Occupy London Protesters outside St Paul's Cathedral
Tent City at St Paul’s Cathedral
Occupy London Protesters have set up camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral since October 15th 2011. The protesters are from the Occupy London Stock Exchange Organisation. Over 3,000 protesters gathered in the square outside the London Stock Exchange with the aim to occuppy it. London police stopped that from happening and the protesters have now set up camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Occupy London Camp outside St Paul's Cathedral busy with Activity
The demonstration is a protest about inequality and greed. The London Occupy Protest is an offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. London demonstrators want the government to listen to people and not to bankers. Today, 15th November, breaking news is that the Wall Street Camp in New York has been cleared.
Signs and Slogans from the Occupy London Peace Camp
The camp has divided the authorities of St Paul’s. Dr Giles Fraser, the Head of St Paul’s resigned rather than take legal action to forcibly remove the London Protesters. Tent City looks as though it is here to stay until the authorities agree on how to handle the situation. Meanwhile Tent City has become part of London Life as this passer-by walks casually past the occupation.
Police Stand on guard in front of the London Stock Exchange
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2011, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Street Photography
Also tagged london photography, occupy london protesters, street photography
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