Graceful Reflection

This is the shot of the Port of Liverpool building reflected by the new Mann Island development that I entered in the Look 2011 Photography Festival 'Capture the City' competition.
It isn't one of the winners. It's currently on exhibition along with the 369 other entries in an outdoor gallery on Thomas Steers Way in the Liverpool One shopping centre. I took a look on Friday and saw that 7 other people had taken a shot of the same reflection (although none had used this view).
There's a very remote chance of a further prize in the people's selection - but only if a host of people vote for image number 217 - which you have to do in person at the Liverpool One information centre. I must admit that although there are some photos that I don't think are as good as mine, there are many that are far better - there's a shot of a woman in giant curlers that I think should have won.
At least I can say that I've had the first public gallery exhibition of my work!

Photos Taken on a Lunchtime Walk

Sweetshop Lollies

Peace Monument - Chavasse Park

Park Ranger sculpture - Chavasse Park

Lifebelt and Lightship Prow - Albert Dock

Blind Busker

When I was younger I remember seeing a blind busker playing the accordion outside Fenwick's department store in Newcastle city centre.
This chap, who regularly performs on Church Street in Liverpool, reminds me of him - although his choice of instrument is somewhat different.

HMCS Athabaskan - visit to Liverpool. 15 to 20 April 2011

The Canadian warship HMCS Athabaskan visited Liverpool 15-20 April 2011.
I saw it arrive when I looked out of the office window on the morning of Friday 15.

Canadian flags were flying from the Liver Buildings to welcome the ship and it's crew - who I spotted enjoying the city's welcome over the course of the following week, mostly to play golf by the looks of things!
The ship sounded it's horn to mark the end of the Hillsborough memorial 2 minutes silence on Friday - which was a nice touch.
Later that evening people were arriving at Princes Dock in formal evening wear, and heading down the gangplank to a party that was being held on board.

On Saturday a memorial service was conducted to remember those Canadians who died in the Battle of the Atlantic, when the first HMCS Athabaskan was lost in 1944. Wreaths were laid at the memorial stone on Canada Boulevard, on the Pier Head in front of the Cunard Building (next to the Liver Building).

I was working on Sunday evening, so managed to nip out and take some sunset photos.

I took some more on Wednesday, when the ship was leaving, to the usual set of Landing Stage tunes (Leaving of Liverpool, Theme from Carousel, Johnny Todd and Sailing). I chatted with some of the people there who had gone to watch the ship depart, about how good a visit it had been - glorious sunny weather and a crew who seemed to be taking in the sights and enjoying the city (and it's golf courses).

I walked across to Canada Boulevard to take a couple of photos of the wreaths laid there, and discovered that there's a memorial stone for the 1944 HMCS Athabaskan on the Boulevard - The Lord Mayor had laid a wreath there.

Liverpool Discovers - End of the Trail

I've completed my Liverpool Discovers trail - i.e. visited and photographed all of the works in this public art exhibition. OK so I didn't see Kelda the giant Viking lady puppet, nor did I see "Where Stars are Made", but these are Wirral and St Helens Discovers.

They've extended the exhibition until the 8th May - although a couple of the works will be removed, and some resited.

I've posted my set of photos on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkdwarf/sets/72157626137837038/, as well as in various posts on this blog.

This was a great exercise for getting to grips with my new camera, and I've learnt a lot as I legged out of work at lunchtimes to take the shots.

I thought that this was going to be a bit of a solarity experience, but far from it. I've found that some people seem to feel the need to come up and ask questions about what you're taking pictures of. Some wanted to know what the artwork was all about. Perhaps they're thinking that because you've got a camera and tripod then you must be some sort of authority on the subject? Some were also doing the trail and wanted to chat about it, so I had a few pleasant conversations.
I kept bumping into two ladies on different parts of the trail - so showed them a few of the photos. A traffic warden hovered around me as I took the Mary Bamber photos, then proceeded to tell me what he knew about her. In the Bluecoat a chap passed me a card inviting me to become a founder member of a photography forum. (www.greentailmonkey.com if anyone's interested).

Another reaction to having a camera set up on a tripod is the way that some people will duck as they go past it - there's no need as I'm quite happy to wait for them to pass, and I'm operating the shutter with a remote switch. Of course there are those who just shove right in the way, as if you've somehow infringed on their right to view the artwork. Then there's the one's who seem to want to be in the picture, and will linger around, trying to be in the background, or walking into the picture when they think you're taking the shot.
In all cases it's just best to be polite, saying thanks to those who duck and scurry past, quietly wait for others to finish looking, gritting your teeth and waiting for the lingerers to get out of the way.

The advice in my photography book is simply to beat them to death with my tripod!

Liverpool Discovers - Liverpool Greats

At the end of my Liverpool Discovers trail I find Ken Dodd hanging from a lampost. It will disappoint some to find that this is in the name of art, and not for crimes to comedy ;-)
22 other contemporary and historical figures from Liverpool are also represented. My personal favourites are Tom Baker, Frank Hornby and George Melly.


Beth Tweddle

John Conteh

Tom Baker

Bill Shankly

Dixie Dean

Lizzie Christian

Jean Alexander

Kitty Wilkinson

Frank Hornby

John Archer

Arthur Dooley

Seth Davy and his Dancing Doll

William Roscoe

George Stubbs

Bessie Braddock

Eleanor Rathbone

John Lennon

Willy Russell

Melanie C

Cilla Black

George Melly

Echoes and Whispers

Musical lamposts on the Liverpool Discovers trail.

Mythophone

Several pieces of artwork on the same theme on the Liverpool Discovers trail. Located respectively at the Anglican Cathedral (St James Churchyard), St Luke's Church (The "Bombed Out Church"), the Catholic Cathedral (Brownlow Hill), St Nicholas Church and BlueCoat Gardens.