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Tag Archives: Panorama

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London Times – High Noon on the Millennium Bridge

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.

London Times is a short series of photographic blogs that record a recent visit to London. See more links at the end of the blog.

My appointment was at the Sandbox workspace, which was conveniently located near to the Millennium bridge.  This London landmark is a photographic challenge.  How do you take different pictures on this iconic bridge.  The answer is that it is very easy to do so as people are passing over the bridge all the time creating their own photographic moments.  I scouted around the underneath of the bridge and took a few pictures of tourists moving around above.  

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Approaching the Bridge.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Tourists from above.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Underneath the bridge.

Then I went to the south part where the two pedestrian walkways split and provide a pleasing symmetrical photograph.  As I expected there were too many photographers in this area although taking photographs of photographers is a fun pastime.  

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Those photographers LOL.

On the bridge I took a few pictures and then I moved back to the picture sweet spot to try and take some more pictures.  Again more photographers!  It was time to cross the main part of the bridge and I took a cool panoramic view of the Thames towards Tower Bridge.  Then I started to focus on St Paul’s Cathedral which was framed by the northern part of the millennium bridge.  London always has something to photograph and you are never lost for subjects.  Both the people and the buildings are super subjects and I hope you agree when you see my photographs.

Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
The bridge is a popular crossing point.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
A panorama from the middle of the bridge.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Framing St Paul’s Cathedral.
Millennium Bridge, London, November 2023.
Flowers are still around St Paul’s cathedral.

Here are more pictures from my “London Times” series.

London Times – Sunset at Paddington Basin
London Times – Night life on the South Bank
London Times – Early at Borough Market
London Times – Chair outside St Paul’s tube station
Categories blog

The popular key – 103 Colmore Row

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row

By far the most popular venue for the #keyofthecitybrum was Birmingham’s newly built skyscraper, 103 Colmore row. On the 18th floor, there is a south facing viewing platform that provides amazing views of the City’s major buildings.  When the Key started, Instagram was inundated with pictures of the City of Birmingham from this platform.  Many of these pictures were excellent and circulated by the social media team at 103 Colmore Row.  I left my visit to the building till late July and wondered how I could do a different picture from the platform.

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
A series of views from floor 19 of 103 Colmore Row

Arriving in the foyer of the building with Nicky Warwickshire, my photo companion for the day @nickywarwickshire, we were met by Touwa, one of the volunteers for the Key to the City Brum.  Touwa welcomed us to 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, England. He explained that the newly built building was a 108-metre tall 26-storey commercial office skyscraper.  We were going to the 19th Floor and above this floor is the soon to be opened restaurant on the 24th floor. We were not going to the 18th floor viewing platform but to a floor that provides a 360o view.  The floor was empty, and I was able to get pictures of buildings such as the BT tower and the Rotunda.  I even did a panorama to take in the skyscrapers.  It was also possible to capture views of the people visiting who were fascinated with the views.

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Admiring the view
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Panorama of the City

My different picture?  I got down low and framed the top of the BT tower in the frame of the windows.  I was pleased as I had got a different view which still conveys the sense of height above the city. The picture was featured by BBC Midlands Today that evening.

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
A different view of the BT Tower
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
My picture on BBC Midlands Today

Finally a few more pictures showing the colours of the City for the Commonwealth Games taken from the 19th floor of 103 Colmore Row.

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Looking over the City and beyond. What can you see?
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
Colours on the pillars.
Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row
The view with everyone’s favourite the BT Tower.

My Journey with the Key
If you wish to review my journey then I have published all my visits on my blog as follows.