Chairs and table - # 09/98

This is something else I just liked the look of: and you can see me and my sandled feet. I chose not to fit the polariser. It's a very elegant looking restaurant on the Teddington High St.

I just love the shape of those chairs. It's a timeless design, seen in cafes for at least 100 yrs.

Evening water - # 09/27

There's still not much going on under these skies, and there's even more rain and cloud forecast for the coming days.

This is an excuse for not finding much inspiration, and being unwilling to set up my tripod in the kitchen to do intriguing macro photos of rotting fruit (Ah! An idea!!!!).

However, yesterday evening the Thames at Kingston looked attractive as it reflected the (briefly) brightening sky. I enjoyed just standing and looking at it.

Reflection of marker-post in the water at Teddington lock - # 08/232

The 26th September brought us the last moments of hot and brilliant sunshine before the strong winds of Autumn fell upon us.

Small river, powerful river, moment for reflection - # 08/136

The crystal clear waters of the Crane are powerful enough to drive water wheels. Depending on where you stand the waters catch the light to throw different and pleasing patterns.

Studies in glass 1 - # 08/82

I discovered that my archive has recently collected a number photos that rely on the effect of glass. It's today's building medium.

Here I was amused to notice how the image of the counter assistant (a real person) - my original target - is counterbalanced by a rather better image of the advertisement asking people to join and become counter assistants: a sort of "Richmond upon Thames Daily Photo needs YOU" poster.

Brentford rising - the Stunner of The Great West Road - # 08/53

Stand at the southern end of the dock basin in the late afternoon and look north. The enormous grey-blue glass mass of the GSK building reflects the afternoon sun. The strange golden towers are the mirrored reflections of the modern office blocks which stand opposite this magnificent glass creation.

I've chosen to show it in the context of the remaining derelict of sheds and a touch of old canal water below, with some tree cover on the right. The very old alongside the ultra modern world-HQ of Glaxo Smith Klein.

For another impression of sky and sunlight on glass see - http://richmonduponthamesdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/07/hard-forms-hard-nature-soft-sentiments.html

Camera: Olympus E3

The world in a rain drop - # 308

We're still with my apple tree. Here we see a rain drop wrapped around a new bud that will provide blossom next year......(forming already although it's still November).

In the water droplet you can clearly see the houses next door....roof chimney in centre and roof sky lights either side; three on one side and two on the other. You can also see the rest of the apple tree and the upper branches. Look and see how the water wraps itself all around the bud and hangs there.

The cafes of Richmond 10 - # 264

This is the Tidetables Cafe under the arch of Richmond Bridge (we saw the terrace yesterday, bathed in sunshine).

I took several shots of the reflection. This is the one a chose, so I hope you like it. The scene is a bit cluttered; but why not? It's in context.

Turbulent sky, calm pond- # 248

Striving to make the best of some very dull weather, I continued to enjoy the reflections in the pond.

Suddenly the sun began to burn through the cloud and this dramatic effect appeared.

I was photographing the stick in the water. Suddenly it took on the appearance of a flying broomstick out of a Harry Potter story, shot down and lying wrecked in a magical sea, or perhaps a derelict space ship in a primordial gas cloud close to the beginning of time (well, something like that, probably, eh?

Upsidedown world - # 247

Walking around the "Heron's Pond" beside Ham Gate in Richmond Park I became entranced by the reflections and illusions, and was even more surprised when I came to edit the pictures. For a moment I forgot "which way was up".

Almost everything in this picture is "somewhere else", and not where it at first seems to be.

Children seem to be comfortable inhabiting such a world , but adults become uneasy. But it's OK as long as you understand the rules.

Autumnal refelction - # 245

As nights draw in and the weather gets chillier it's time to seek the cosier atmospheres of "the great indoors", but also to appreciate the natural colours of frosts, mists, damp air, and the colours of autumn leaves. This is an opportunity to experiment with reflections and colours discovered around Richmond upon Thames.

The Queen Victoria is a small, intimate "one room" pub on Hill Rise - being in the bar is like being in your own cosy livingroom 100 years ago. I prefer the colour photo, but found it hard to choose, so I've also included the B&W version and left the decision to you. Which one do you like? Assuming you like them at all!