Portico

This is a simple stone covered walkway in Wapping, close to the river Thames in London. It’s deserted, catches the sunlight and throws some intriguing shadows. The light at the end of the tunnel is both blinding and inviting.

As it happens, Wapping is quite a busy place where a lot of financiers and businessmen from the city live. Joggers often pound their way around the streets, while tourists who have perhaps strayed a little too far from the Tower of London find themselves here.

I wanted to capture the light and shadow of this place, and found that a monochrome finish worked to enhance these features. It was an honour to have this shot “Explored” on Flickr. You can see more from my Flickr stream here. I’d be pleased to add you as a contact on the site.

Tags: architecture, Flickr, London, monochrome, photography, Wapping

17 thoughts on “Portico”

steviegill on July 1, 2012 at 18:55 said:

Nice light and shadow play, seems quite an inviting passage.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 1, 2012 at 18:58 said:
  
  Thank you Stevie. I’m glad you like the look of it. I suppose there’s plenty of sunlight at the other end.
  
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andybeel on June 30, 2012 at 17:03 said:

Hi Mike lovely shadows and textures. Thanks

I wondered what it would be like with the LHS out of focus area darkened a bit but not black to make it slightly less dominant?
Andy

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 30, 2012 at 17:54 said:
  
  Thanks Andy. Good point. I’ll have a play and see what happens.
  
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Noeline Smith on June 29, 2012 at 21:27 said:

Lovely shot. It’ll be interesting to see what it’s like with a figure in it.

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 29, 2012 at 21:36 said:
  
  Thank you Noeline, much appreciated. I’ll definitely revisit the portico and post the results.
  
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2 Rivers Photos on June 29, 2012 at 16:24 said:

Great composition Mike :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 29, 2012 at 21:04 said:
  
  Thank you Bashar. Greetings from London!
  
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☆ MagicAperture on June 29, 2012 at 15:40 said:

That’s a lovely shot , well composed and exposed. I agree with another comment about the absence of a person. Personally I would have tried to include a moving silhouette with a slow shutter speed.

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 29, 2012 at 21:04 said:
  
  Thank you Vibhuti. Yes, it’s a good thought. I’m going to have to revisit the portico and try this out.
  
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  - ☆ MagicAperture on July 1, 2012 at 11:24 said:
    
    ;-)
    
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happysnapper71 on June 29, 2012 at 13:16 said:

Great atmospheric shot! Feels as if you are actually walking down towards the light “!

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 29, 2012 at 21:02 said:
  
  Thanks Joanna! It would surely look very different at night… slightly scary!
  
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danitacahill on June 28, 2012 at 20:45 said:

Love this. The light and shadow make for a very nice monochrome. I’d like to see this same photo with a figure in it, too.

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2012 at 20:50 said:
  
  Thank you Danita. Yes, someone else said the same thing. I’ll have to wait for a little human traffic next time – or just the one figure, going towards the light.
  
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Mark Moore (@pictureNC) on June 28, 2012 at 20:23 said:

I like this shot. It makes me wonder how long that tunnel has been there, what it’s seen, etc. Thanks for posting the photo.

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2012 at 20:24 said:
  
  Thanks Mark. Good questions. I’m not sure I know the answers, but it’s interesting to imagine. Part of the joy of photography.
  
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