Butterflies cluster on one stem of brightly coloured heathland flowers. The Gatekeepers show no inclination to flutter away, even when a human photographer has spotted them and encroaches upon their space.
This is a frame of wild London, on an area of common land in the south-west periphery of the capital. It’s far from the urban hustle and bustle of the city centre, but still falls within its boundaries.
A photograph that proves how diverse and unexpected this big city can be.
Sometimes one photograph – a single shot – just isn’t enough. Another layer of creation is needed to bring your work to life or make a point.
This leads to the diptychs, triptychs and composites coming to life. They encapsulate the autumnal calm of Constable country, the afternoon tea cake stand or the bustle of London’s Victoria station.
But a single frame can be enough, if the results are blazing with colour and artful, like low night shots capturing the movement of a train. Here are a few happy surprises and labours of love.
Just a stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the King’s Road is a true botanical oasis which I’ve only just got around to visiting after 13 years in London.
The Chelsea Physic Garden has been in existence since 1673, and is bulging with beautiful plants, many of them medicinal or edible. In this golden summer we’ve been enjoying for a couple of weeks now, the garden is bristling with blossoms and looks wonderful.
Visitors come to study the plants, relax on the lawns, take photographs – and even enjoy a spot of watercolour painting. Our visit will always be memorable for other reasons – we returned home to watch homegrown tennis ace Andy Murray seal a historic Wimbledon title. All in all, the best of summer.
If you like this, you will like The walled garden
Summer has taken hold in London. There are long, very warm sunny days and plants are flourishing. The rain is staying far away for a change.
This little vegetable plant is thriving in Chelsea Physic Garden, a wonderful city oasis bursting to the seams with life. The sprinklers are working overtime, and these leaves drip with moisture which catches the sunlight.
Quenched, delicious and captured on camera.
This little gem is literally around the corner from my new home. I’ve been there many times over the years, but it’s now part of the neighbourhood.
At the moment, the walled garden in Ravenscourt Park is bristling with blooms and is a real oasis of natural calm. Visitors amble through the gates for a tranquil few moments, while young couples steal some time to themselves on the sheltered benches that line the old walls.
Such a small space can produce an unexpected array of shots. You have to be very discreet to attempt any candid shots, and I largely failed in that pursuit on this warm, sun-kissed evening.
Summer was alive and well, and a far cry from some of the photos I captured here in the grip of the icy winter.
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