The poppies at the Tower of London are part of an art installation in collaboration with ceramic artist Paul Cummins and theatre stage designer Tom Piper. The installation commemorates the centenary of the First World War. The exhibition opened 5th August 2014 and runs until 11th November 2014. The red moat of poppies is an incredible sight. As we near the end of the exhibition, thousands of visitors flocked for a last chance to see the emotional Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.
Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red
Yesterday, I was one of thousands who visited the site. The Tower of London was packed, with queues of people lining up around the Tower’s grounds. It must have taken a few hours to walk along the lower paths to capture the breadth of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. Among the crowd, there were the curious, the tourists, elderly people paying their respects and veterans. There was a frenzy of photo taking with all types of devices; mobile phones and tablets providing the obligatory selfie of “I was there.” Plenty of cameras, compacts and DSLRS too. The tight squeeze along the railings made it challenging to change lenses – but I managed it without prodding anyone. Achievement indeed! The majority of people attending were patient and empathetic, gently eager to have a quick word about the moving beauty of the Poppies at Tower of London.
Lou Smith is a Fine Art Photographer with over 25 years experience in the visual arts and is a fine artist specialising in photography and painting.
Photographs and content may not be used without permission.
© Lou Smith 2014, All Rights Reserved
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