Sunday, September 5, 2010

Kew - September sunshine

I know, I know - Kew Gardens again!!   But I love it there, it's close - I can get there in an hour by train (even allowing for changing at Clapham Junction) - and I have a newly renewed season ticket so it only costs the train fare - and it was a nice sunny morning. It's also just about the only 'proper' exercise I get, walking at Kew!

So, yesterday morning, there I was again. In fact, the first few were left on the film in the camera from my last trip - but I love this 'frothy' stuff so had to include it,




along with this cluster of Aganpanthus - not sure what the white flowers behind it are though, but loved the contrast. They were very perfumed, but surely it's too late for jasmine??
I was deliberately focussing on the white, to blur the blue, (I was going for shapes and patterns last time, remember because - apart from this- there wasn't much colour).



So, on to yesterday. Thanks to all the rain we had in Surrey over the last couple of weeks, the grass - and the trees themselves - were looking lush and fresh, just ripe for photography!The sun was shining through the leaves on this tree, it was glorious - although I should have probably closed in more on the leaves than include so much background.
The Palm House peaking through the trees!
I staggered up the stairs to the Treetop Walkway - the views ARE worth it, but it kills me - I wish they could get the lift sorted out, I don't mind walking down, but UP is - urgh! hard work- my calves ache today, I'm blaming the spiral stairs.
From the Walkway, I went into the Temperate House - it was quite empty, so got some good shots 'people-less!' I could pretend it was my own glasshouse....
Peering through the giant ferns! Had to move sharpish from here, a keeper came with his hose to spray them with water..... so I went up the stairs to the higher walkway round the top of the glasshouse to peer DOWN for a change!
This is a bit overgrown, yes?!
I'd love to do some of these in black and white, (I suppose if I bought Photoshop I could fiddle with them myself) as I think the patterns and shapes of the struts and windows would look great in black and white.   I used to really enjoy black and white photography - my ex had some darkroom equipment at one time and we used to develop our own b/w films, it was great.
Love the misty effect - it was proper hot in this part of the glasshouse! but I quite like the effect on these palms, from the steamed up lens! 

At this point my film ran out as I was heading towards the Waterlily house so those pics are now on another part-used film in the camera and will have to wait for the next trip!  That's one drawback of film cameras and I can't afford to upgrade my camera to a digital one (I was looking at the prices when I went to pick up these pictures today, I need to win the lottery for the type of camera and extra lenses I'd want!!)
Hope you enjoyed these ones, anyhow.

4 comments:

Cathy said...

I just love looking at your photos.
good luck with winning the lottery ;-)

Linda said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog, Helen. You've taken some stunning photos - I particularly like the one with the sun rays coming through the trees, lovely!! Must get to Kew one day....

Lori said...

Wonderful pics, Helen! Very tranquil, relaxing and makes you want to be there!

Sue said...

Hi Helen
gorgeous piccies, luv the yellow flowers, sue.xx