Storm Cycle by brewgirlca
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Description
After several bright sunny days, it was a dark morn that broke threatening rain in London. I was scheduled to do a three hour ride and I was looking forward to a day with broken cloud to add some interest to my photography. For me London always looks best under cloud - not the infinitely uniform dull gray hum drum kind, but the billowy broken mixed dark and light kind. The kind that continually threatens you and you never know if and when you are going to get hit.
The other riders must have been fair weather sailors for none showed up. I was the only one of eight to be knocking on the dilapidated door of Ian's broken down bike shop. Luckily for me Ian was well named, for he was a native Scot and so a bit of threatening weather was not going to daunt him. His attitude was if there's even a single rider he does the ride. This was good for me as Ian did not give a care how many times I wanted to pause for photos or how long I took at any stop. He was mine for the morning.
Even though he was a certified accountant Ian hated being a pencil pusher; so he gave it up to be a pedal pusher instead. He took the hit in income, but seemed to be the happiest man in London. He also had an intimate knowledge of the city's rather seedy side which suited me just fine.
The image here is Covent Garden which has been a fruit and veggie market since 1650 though the site has been occupied since the 1st century AD. It was the only significant market spared London's great fire of 1666 and prospered for that. The present building was constructed in 1830 with the glass roof being added in 1872. This is essentially the west's first big shopping mall - it is still a magnificent market area though now it is mostly restaurants, pubs and theatres.
No parking, no cars, no traffic. Picture perfect place to hang out, watch people and maybe even take shelter from the storm!
Comments (24)
Faemike55
Absolutely fascinating narrative and wonderful photo Thank you for sharin' this delightful part of your life & trip
magnus073
What a fabulous photo Roxy, and I very much enjoyed your description of the rich history behind this place.
HopeFadesEternal
Absolutely fascinating photo! Wonderful bite of history on this site too. Looks like a must see if someone get's to visit London.
SidheRoseGraphics
I got to see Covent Gardens when I went to London. You're right, it's a very cool place to hang out and there are some great restaurants/pubs there. Except for one day that I was there, the sky was that murky leaden grey of which you speak - constantly sprinkling, if not outright raining. Definitely a place you want to have a 'bumbershoot' :) Great story and a wonderful image of this fantastic place Roxy!
eekdog
your photography hon always has class and interest Roxy. don't know how you acomplish color like this, you are amazing behind the lens.
mtdana
Nice how you captured it – definite levels that move into the distance and each with a color change. The cobblestone or brick is a nice lead-in and the sky and overall coloration gives the image a it of an "old photo" look that adds interest and mood. Great capture, post work and story !!!
renecyberdoc
tell us more about the intimate knowledge of the seedier side of town hehehehehehe. i think i have to let Joey Proudneck of Longbottom making a trip to london,maybe with his pal Harry Wank ,anchorman of Sin-TV.lets see what happens. just have to see for the finances,maybe we can dip our beak in the public funds and grease our hands a bit that will pay all the expenses ...................
RodS
Not only is this a wonderful photo with a delightful sky, but the post work you've done on this definitely makes it a treat for the eyes! I know what you're saying about a day that's filled with those broken clouds – it makes a wonderful play with the light and shadow. And you captured it very well here – a great photo Roxy!
JuliSonne
This conservatory about the arcaden fits very well in the old architecture. This place is a feast for the eyes. Class street photography with many details. Super!
Trigue
What a wonderful image. Your postwork is fascinating ! and such an interesting description :)
photosynthesis
Very colorful & vibrant, with so many interesting sights, textures & patterns. And your usual masterful postworking gives it all a very painterly feel...
Cyve
Fabulous capture / colors... Wonderfully done my friend!!!
abreojos
It took awhile for me to find the right word for this one...Surreal! HDR has a category called surreal. The foreground looks more real than the sky, which looks like a watercolor! Definitely an eye catcher and a creative way to portray this capture! BTW: I went through Monument Valley 2nd week last November just ahead of the season's first big storm!
marktopham
Covent Garden, I was just there a few weeks ago having coffee with daughter...true its a great place to hangout. Nice work
3dpoetry
Love the vibrancy of the image, well done
adrie
This is a perfect and beautiful colord photoshot Roxy, I would love to go this beautiful place.....to go shoping and dringking coffee and look to other people passing by.
vitachick
Sounds like one great guide u had all to yourself!!
shingleboot
I love folks like Ian, very few of them left these days. Great image
FaeMoon
How wonderful this photo is, and I do like the solarized post work effect. It is full of live and they hyper colors seem to place emphasis on that. I really love reading your stories that accompany your photos, Roxy. It is really nice to hear of a part of your day that went with capturing a certain place! Thank you for treating us once again. :)
drifterlee
Gorgeous shot and colors!
4udreamcatcher
Wonderful imagery :O-)
Tracesl
Excellent
Rainbowgirl
I've been at Covent Garden a few years ago and I did like it too. So much to see and to smell. Great pubs too I remember. ;-) I like the surreal postwork you gave this shot. It's London as it is!
BellaDark
I love whatever filter you've used on this because it makes the photo appear as a painting. Such beautiful colours, so much life teeming here and yet caught and stopped in a single moment. You really do know how to tell a story with your work. :)