WANSTEAD DAILY PHOTO: 2012

Monday, 31 December 2012

ORPHANAGE DAY SIX ...

These pictures show what was the Chapel of the Orphanage but is now the Synagogue on Herman Hill.

This completes the series of pictures I took. Such a fantastic building showing the pride and workmanship of the period.

Sunday, 30 December 2012

ORPHANAGE DAY FIVE ...

This arched brickwork above the windows have their own sculptures depicting sailing ships on the sea.

Saturday, 29 December 2012

ORPHANAGE DAY FOUR ...

The girls entrance to the orphanage. These pictures show yet more of the wonderful stonework.

Friday, 28 December 2012

ORPHANAGE DAY THREE...

This is the main entrance to the orphanage showing the columns either side of the door and the miniature porch overhead.

Thursday, 27 December 2012

CONTINUING SEAMEN'S ORPHANAGE ...

These are sculptures above the door leading to the tower of the orphanage. The second picture shows a commemorative plaque.

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

FORMER MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This former orphan asylum building is on Herman Hill Wanstead. It was opened in 1863, has been a hospital and is now an apartment building. Seeing it bathed in this beautiful light, it was well worth capturing and I thought I would do a series of pictures showing the architecture and masonry. I have decided to run them over a few days, so keep watching.

Tuesday, 25 December 2012

A BIG THANK YOU FROM GEOFF

A very big thank you and Seasons Greetings from "eightyfour", for all your support and enthusiasm for the Gallery and this blog throughout the year. Have a great holiday.

Monday, 24 December 2012

ON GOLDEN POND..

Another picture I took of Snaresbrook Pond at the end of the day. The rippling effect with the sun shining across the lake has a really lovely warm glow. A very apt picture I thought for Christmas Eve.

Sunday, 23 December 2012

SNARESBROOK CROWN COURT

I was at Snaresbrook Pond photographing as the sun was setting and it struck me how the towers of Snaresbrook Crown Court stood out in silhouette against the sky. They were such a different shape to the bare branch's of the trees. The building was opened in 1843 by King Leopold 11 of Belgium and was originally the Infant Orphan Asylum and later became a school.

Saturday, 22 December 2012

ON A BICYCLE MADE FOR...FLOWERS

On my way home last night I passed Lillies of Wanstead in the High Street. They always have a great display of flowers, but what caught my eye was this decorated bicycle, perhaps Santa could use it instead of his sleigh ?

Friday, 21 December 2012

FLYING HIGH.

Across Snaresbrook Pond I caught these pigeons on camera at dusk flying around above the water. The light spanning the pond led to another lovely Wanstead Sunset picture.

Thursday, 20 December 2012

BY A BABBLING BROOK ?

Continuing my walk the other day in Wanstead Park I heard the sound of running water. I looked around and found this overflow pipe flowing into the lake. The noise was so soothing I sat down for a while and being low down I closed in nearer and took this lovely image.

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

IN THE DISTANCE.

This picture was taken while I was roaming around the Aldersbrook area of Wanstead. As you can see, even though it is several miles away, Canary Wharf still looms on the horizon. The light was right and the dark clouds gave an eerie feel. The overall effect to me was of a separate land far away.

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

WHAT'S BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR.

Closed for the winter this is the door to the cafe in Wanstead Park. A simple image but the light shining on the stonework and across the iron door makes a good picture.

Monday, 17 December 2012

OUR LADY of LOURDES

This is another one of those pictures that I have been waiting ages to take. It's a building that requires the right light and conditions to make it come to life. This combination of the night sky and the lights burning bright in the church seemed to me to be just right.

Sunday, 16 December 2012

FOXEY.

Walked outside the Gallery the other day and saw this fox parading around Nightingale Green. I grabbed the camera and panned the first shot before he turned and boldly wandered off up Nightingale Lane.

Saturday, 15 December 2012

SANTA CLAUS HAS COME TO TOWN.

He is here, just stopped off to buy flowers. Although it appears he now needs reading glasses, do not worry I am sure all presents are in hand. Just had to photograph this life size santa outside Flora in Wanstead High Street.

Friday, 14 December 2012

INTO THE MIST.

This pathway across George Green prompted another picture of the mist in Wanstead. The composition of this photograph shows the path leading up into the mist and the posts in the foreground give it depth.

Thursday, 13 December 2012

MISTY NIGHTS.

Wanstead was covered in fog a couple of nights ago and because this is not a frequent occurrence, I grabbed the camera bag and instead of heading toward the High Street I went to the river Roding. I captured this mystical scene showing reflections in the river and the ghostly lights of the A406 in the background.

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

FROSTY NIGHT STILL LIFE.

... There was a very heavy frost last night and when I went to the car it had formed into these delicate peaks on the roof.

It's only a dustbin lid covered in frost but the cracks and the curves make it a really strong composition.

An old fashioned wash tub upside down with the lettering in reverse is a good subject on a frosty morning, I am sure this wouldn't look half as interesting without the frost.

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AS USUAL..

There is scaffolding around Christ Church in Wanstead Place and these pictures are very different from the previous one that I posted. However, as you can see from the posters, Crib Service and Midnight Mass with carols welcoming everyone will still take place.

Monday, 10 December 2012

MOODY SKY

This was the sky over Wanstead late afternoon a few days ago. We are experiencing so many vibrant colours and cloud formations in the sky of late. They are difficult to photograph sometimes because they come and go so fast but it is worth photographing them, they make great pictures.

Sunday, 9 December 2012

A LOVELY CORNER OF WANSTEAD..

This is one of my favourite parts of Wanstead, its just a tiny area with this fence and plants growing at random through it. There is just something about this small piece of fence on Church Path that fills me with nostalgia and makes me think of old fashioned countryside. I always stop for a few seconds whatever the weather to admire it.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

RED SKY AT NIGHT.

On my way home from a magazine assignment yesterday, I spotted this amazing red sky over the lake in Wanstead Golf Club. The colours were disappearing so fast as the sun set that I didn't have time to unload the camera from the boot of the car so had to do it on my phone. Tomorrow possible Shepherds Delight, we shall see.

Friday, 7 December 2012

PRETTY LIGHTS

Walking across George Green last night the lights in the Belgique, one of the eateries in Wanstead were shining bright and I couldn't resist capturing them on camera.

Thursday, 6 December 2012

THREE IN ONE.

This is a picture taken from Woodbine Place at dusk of Wanstead Library opened by Patrick Jenkin MP for Woodford on the 4th October 1969. Fortunately, unlike many other libraries it has remained opened. Although it's an easy building to overlook in daylight, at dusk the light shining through the windows of this three tiered building is hard to ignore.

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

GOODBYE TO THE ALLIED IRISH BANK

ONCE THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB, THEN A BANK, WHAT NEXT?

This eighteenth century building in Wanstead High Street, noted for its bust of Sir Winston Churchill has seen many changes. I thought it appropriate when taking this picture to give the bust pride of place in the foreground. The expression on his face to me is one of determination exemplifying the man that he was.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

HEADLIGHTS

Here is an interesting one. I was back on the bridge overlooking the A12 trying to make an interesting picture of planes in the sky and it just wasn't working. Switching my attention to the cars that were travelling beneath me it still didn't look quite right. However, when I threw the headlights of the cars out of focus I ended up with these fantastic overlapping circles. Although it is not traditional the outcome produced these wonderful shapes.

Monday, 3 December 2012

SUNDAY MARKET.

How lucky we are. Not only do we retain great independent shops, cafes and restaurants in Wanstead but we also have a monthly Farmers Market shown in the four pictures below. I think it is vital we continue to support them as an essential part of the village

Sunday, 2 December 2012

TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STARS ...

Not really it's just the Christmas lights on the trees along the High Street in Wanstead.

Saturday, 1 December 2012

' WOW ' THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS HERE ....

OVERLOOKING GEORGE GREEN

CHRISTMAS GOOD CHEER ....

THROUGH THE ARCH ...

STARBURST.

Friday, 30 November 2012

WHICH PATH?

The expanse of Wanstead Park is fascinating and seems never ending. In front of me the path I was on split into two, which one should I take, where would it lead me and what hidden pictures would I find ?

Thursday, 29 November 2012

FLOATING LEAVES.

Still continuing in Wanstead Park these golden leaves look like they are floating in the air. I liked the way the colour stood out against the green and brown background.

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

THREE TREES.

Continuing my walk around Wanstead Park I saw these three trees silhouetted against the dark winter sky with dew tipped grass in the foreground. I thought that it would look good in Black and White, and it seems to work for me.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

SITTING PRETTY

Walking near the Grotto in Wanstead Park this flock of seagulls kindly all lined up and posed for the camera.

Monday, 26 November 2012

EARLY MORNING INSPIRATION.

I was in Wanstead Park early in the morning just wondering around and found this spot where I could get very close to the lake at almost water level. The fallen tree and the leaves in the water and on the bank inspired this picture. For me it has an eerie feeling and shows just how versatile the park is in all seasons.

Sunday, 25 November 2012