Photography | The Daily Norm

Jun 6

The Daily Norm’s Photo of the Week – Reflected Metropolis

My camera is never far from my side, whether it be my pocket Sony Cybershot, my good old iPhone camera, or my larger SLR. This enables me to capture the random moments that life throws at us all, or the unexpected compositions which emerge from every day living. Because so many of the resulting shots form something of a miscellany of photos, not fitting neatly into a larger, neater category of photos around which an album can form, I thought that the best way to share those odd shots with you would be to pick just one a week on which to focus.

Today’s photo of the week is an interesting shot. It’s from within my home – on my coffee table in fact, which I’m so used to looking at on a daily basis that sometimes I fail to notice the beauty of the reflections which form on the surface of its black glass. Yet at the weekend, I guess I turned at just the right moment, so that my eyes caught this scene and recognised the immediate beauty in it. Grabbing my camera, I zoomed closer, thus composing an image which now resembles, rather than a modern cubist chess set, something of a Manhattan-style city skyline.

For me, the image conjures up skyscrapers stood alongside a still river upon whose waters the buildings are reflected. The sense of landscape is augmented by the presence of blue sky which, owing to the position of my window, has become reflected on the glass of my coffee table. Meanwhile, the little glass vases bearing red buds from my geraniums are like idealised contemporary trees, something of a park within my imagined urban landscape.

They say the camera never lies, but as this photograph perhaps demonstrates, an isolated composition can certainly trick the eye, and provide the narrative, within the confines of its four dimensions, to an imagined land all of its own.

I’m already looking forward to picking out a photo for next week. See you then.

Marbella in May: a photography experiment (i) – my patio garden (daily-norm.com)
Marbella in May: a photography experiment (iv) – a Marbellan Miscellany (daily-norm.com)
Marbella in May: a photography experiment (ii) – Cappuccino Cocktails (daily-norm.com)

May 31

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Mallorca in May – A photographic miscellany

While Mallorca’s capital of Palma may exude elegance, the surrounding island competes in charm, beauty and manifest variety. Who cannot be wooed by the picture-perfect hilltop town of Valldemossa, with its mélange of old stone town houses and green window shutters, topped by the turqouise-tiled campanile of the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa, the monastery made famous for the short stay of Frédéric Chopin and his lover George Sand during an embittered winter now immortalised in Sand’s book A Winter in Majorca. And if that idyllic town does not exhaust your capacity for admiration entirely, don’t forget Palma’s stunning coastlines, such as the view of the Illa d’es Malgrat from Santa Ponça, or the charming sight of a traditional fisherman’s vessel, laden with ropes and nets in the old fishing port of Andratx.

Despite only a short weekend trip to Mallorca, and my attendance at a whole series of lunches, dinners, and meetings during that time, my camera was never far from my side, enabling me to add yet more new shots of this magical island to my growing collection. Of particular interest to me this time round were the new sights and experiences – for example the brand new Port Adriano – a vast new complex which lacks the natural aesthetic charm of the Ports of Andratx or Soller for example but which, with its Philippe Starck designed street furnishings such as quirky street lamps dressed as standard lamps and chic glass and steel staircases, makes for an interesting sight, especially when enjoyed with a glass of something sparkling from one of the many swanky (but rather empty) bars that line the yacht-filled marina front.

So without further ado, here are 30 more shots of Mallorca in May – the island which very evidently never stops giving.

: This buoy looks like a Norm!

: Valldemossa

: These colours are stunning

: Philippe Starck’s street lamps

: I want to eat at this table!

: The Port Adriano

: Valldemossa’s monastery

: Fishing boats in Puerto d’Andratx

: Valldemossa

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Mallorca in May – The elegant streets of Palma (daily-norm.com)

May 30

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Mallorca in May – The elegant streets of Palma

The weekend before last, I was lucky enough to travel back out to the beautiful balearic island of Mallorca to discuss various exciting artistic commissions. The trip came only 6 weeks after my last stay on the island, and I was ecstatic to once again sample the delights of this magical Spanish island, to savour its delicious food and its chic restaurants, to fill my eyes with the stunning views which traverse both the island’s mountainous landscape and surround its craggy coast with picture-perfect view points, and to fill my nose with the heady scent of its floral Spring.

While the weekend was a busy one, the occasional opportunity to walk around the island’s gorgeous capital city of Palma reminded me of just how elegant a place it is, and no more so than in May, having undergone the verdant changes which accompanying the warming days of Spring. Thus, already beautiful buildings were now dappled with golden sunlight, strained as though through a kitchen colander between the gaps in the fresh verdurous leaves of trees and ample flowers beds which have burst into life across the city. The lengthened lighter evenings provided an extended period of warm buttery light with which to admire the city’s many squares, fountains and palaces; while ancient religious monuments, elegant wrought iron balconies of modernista masterpieces, and the exquisite street decor that makes Palma such a joy to behold can all be enjoyed with double the pleasure, as these fine architectural details are further reflected in long summer-extended shadows.

As ever, my camera never had much of an opportunity for rest as the enhanced beauty of Mallorca in May inspired a series of new immortalised moments. Here are just a few shots of the elegant streets of Palma.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Mallorca (Part X) – Photography Focus 3: Favourite Shots (daily-norm.com)
The Daily Sketch: Norms take the tram in Soller (daily-norm.com)

May 25

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Chelsea Flower Show (ii) A festival of flowers

As the name suggests, Chelsea Flower Show is quite literally a festival of flowers – a splendid, multifaceted, rainbow coloured floral extravaganza of these natural masterpieces, and wow, how many masterpieces were on display in the show’s magnificent floral marquee, where some of the world’s best growers have brought the very best in floral finesse to show the world’s most beautiful species at their very best. From magnificent lush rhododendrons, to sunburst citrus coloured lilies, from lilac and cream tulips to vivd pink cacti, and from delicate mystical orchids to the poker straight, architectural forms of the star-burst allium flowers, I have frankly never seen a collection of floral gems quite like these. And these are just the photographs. Can you imagine the combined perfume of this paradisal bounty? Moving form one stall to the other, I was flushed with memories engendered by the different scents with as great an influx as I was bombarded with the multicoloured, multi-shaped spectacle that was before my eyes. As a floral tribute, it just doesn’t come much better than this. Enjoy!

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Chelsea Flower Show (i) The grounds and the gardens (daily-norm.com)

May 24

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Chelsea Flower Show (i) The grounds and the gardens

Chelsea Flower Show is the high point in the garden lover’s annual calendar, and frankly, is a pretty important date in the diary of every budding London socialite too. Dressed in their best pastel colour frocks and matching hats, sauntering around the grounds of SW1’s Royal Hospital Chelsea with a glass of champagne in one hand, and generally speaking an umbrella in the other (one may as well be realistic), the best of the celeb, upper crust and garden fanatic world come out every last week of May to hail the Summer gardening season open. This celebration, not only of flowers, but of cutting edge garden design and horticultural supremacy, is a scintillating dalliance with beauty, an artistic explosion of natural aesthetics, and a demonstration of the indubitable improvement which a well tended garden, pot plant or bunch of flowers can bring to anyone’s life.

This first of two Chelsea posts shares my experience of the show as I explored the grounds of the vast garden exposition yesterday evening. I was lucky with the weather – had I gone today, most of the gardens would have probably been flattened by the perilous wind and relentless wind which has battered these damp shores all day. But last night, in the yellow light of a low evening sun, I was able to view the show gardens – that is the garden plots pristinely designed by top horticultural masters for competitive purposes – at their very best. From elegant geometric garden spaces, neatly clipped box hedges and satisfyingly swirling water features, to the complete recreation of an almost unwieldy, lush and otherworldly Australian rainforest, the show gardens on offer this year have to qualify for some of the best in the show’s history. And appropriately too – being as this is the show’s centenary year.

With the aid of a long zoom which was able to traverse the heavy crowds bustling for space around each of the show gardens, I was able to successfully photograph many of the highlights of the show gardens, and here they are!

A Sussex Sunday

Last weekend, I headed down to verdant (occasionally) Sunny Sussex, the green rolling coastal county of my birth. Sussex, for its occasional dated coastal town and abundance of retirement homes, is a county rich in lush green landscapes, large country houses, expansive farmland extending across the rolling chalky Downs, and fine coastal views. And these attractions are no better appreciated than when a now accustomed Londoner like myself gets to reacquaint himself with the fresh air and vibrant green landscapes of the county on a brief respite from city life.

So last Sunday, once my requisite visits to family were completed, purchases made at pet shops for my nephew’s birthday, and a grand familial dinner consumed, I was insistent that I get out into the countryside to sample Sussex at its best. And to do this, my Mother chose well, guiding us into the small town of Pulborough where, on the outskirts, our first visit was to the ancient medieval Stopham Bridge (built 1423) which spans across the river Arun. There in the shadow of this charming, sturdy looking construction, we had lunch at the White Hart, a pub so quaint and old that the plates themselves were probably the straightest surfaces in the place, but whose food was presented with surprising elegance for somewhere so evidently steeped in tradition.

That afternoon, the highpoint of this Sussex sojourn was to visit Parham House, a large country estate and Tudor Palace which had once received the patronage and visitations of Queen Elizabeth I and today, after extensive renovations undertaken in the 1920s, now boasts some exquisite Elizabethan detailing, as well as a comprehensive collection of regal portraits and grand landscapes collected by the various inhabitants across the centuries.

But for me, the best part of Parham is undoubtedly its walled garden, which at this time of year was abundant with colourful tulips, cherry blossom bursting into flower, and rich green foliage unfurling in the warmer Spring-like air. Armed with my new Sony Cybershot HX20V, I was snapping away like crazy, the results of which are here, as promised, for the sharing.

: My Granny’s wall flowers

: A real Secret Garden

: Stopham Bridge

: The little inn where we had our lunch

: A stunning array of tulips

: Bluebells

Details of Parham House and Gardens can be found here.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Marbella in May: a photography experiment (iv) – a Marbellan Miscellany (daily-norm.com)
Mallorca (Part X) – Photography Focus 3: Favourite Shots (daily-norm.com)

May 13

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Marbella in May: a photography experiment (iv) – a Marbellan Miscellany

Marbella has very sadly become synonymous in the British vernacular with the orange Essex tans, hedonistic lifestyle and flashy gaudy inhabitants of its brash z-list celeb-stuffed suburb, Puerto Banus. Yet Marbella the town, which is a good 10km along the coast from that rather vulgar port, is one of the true gems of Andalucia.

It’s picturesque positioning between the sparkling blue sea and the prominent mountain landscape behind it provides the setting, while a charming little old town full of quaint narrow white washed alleys, impressive ancient churches and grand old squares is the ultimate in authentic Spanish attractiveness.

Being lucky enough to benefit from a family home just north of the old town’s central orange-tree lined square, I get to stroll around Marbella’s postcard-perfect old town on a daily basis but never tire of its scenic charms, from old cracked stone fountains to crumbling white washed walls, elegant wrought iron window grills hung with ceramic pots and bright red geraniums. I must have photographed it a thousands of times, but it never stops inspiring me to take a few more.

So here, in the final post of photos from the recent Marbella test run of my new Song Cybershot HX20V, here are some of my favourite shots of the town, from historic centre to the beach beyond. Once again, the camera’s 20x optical zoom proved a real treat when capturing far off details such as the little dog looking like it was about to dip into a glass of beer, and an impressive sailing ship, passing by while I was munching upon those delectable fried aubergines.

The camera’s test run is complete. I can confirm my purchase has been a success. And now I look forward to bombarding you with new photos throughout the summer taken with the camera which will never be far from my side.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Marbella in May: a photography experiment (i) – my patio garden (daily-norm.com)
Marbella in May: a photography experiment (ii) – Cappuccino Cocktails (daily-norm.com)
Marbella in May: a photography experiment (iii) – Park Life (daily-norm.com)

May 10

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Marbella in May: a photography experiment (iii) – Park Life

Like many Spanish cities, Marbella is not short on shady spaces, a necessity for surviving the savagery of the searing Spanish sun. But thanks largely to the efforts of a corrupt former mayor, who paved much of the town in marble, Marbella’s parks are as grand as they are green, the many voluptuous tropical plants reflected double in the shiny polished pavements below, and curving elegantly over large ceramic-decorated fountains from which water arcs and spouts and dances whimsically all day long.

The central Alameda park is the gemstone in a series of green sprawling spaces, and has become an appropriate meeting place for Marbella’s locals and tourists alike. It’s various parallel avenues provide plenty of space for a refreshing perambulation, all paths leading to one of the parks two large fountains, while alongside the plants many a bench invites sitters to rest and imagine themselves sat in a richly verdant jungle.

Second only to the Alameda, the Parque de la Constitucion hosts at its centre a semi-circular open air theatre characteristic of those popular in Ancient Greece, while in the park surrounding it, a distinctly moorish feel envelops the fountains, paving and layout. I adore these gardens which, being slightly off centre, exude calm and lack crowds. Strolling between the tall shady cypress trees and besides lawns and flower beds, one could almost be in an English country garden – except for the key addition of sun.

I love Marbella’s park spaces, and more particularly the rich plump tropical and Mediterranean plant species which flourish there. Sitting beneath them I am reminded of an Henry Rousseau paintings albeit only metres from Marbella’s beach on one side and historic centre on the other.

Beyond the park, Marbella is a festival of floral colour and richly leafed greenery. I was struck by the sheer abundance of colourful flowers planted alongside roads and pavements, as well as the sheer volume of newly born leaves upon the trees (no doubt the result of an especially wet winter). I don’t think I’ve ever seen the town look prettier – and luckily my new camera was there to capture it all.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Marbella in May: a photography experiment (i) – my patio garden (daily-norm.com)
Marbella in May: a photography experiment (ii) – Cappuccino Cocktails (daily-norm.com)

May 9

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Marbella in May: a photography experiment (ii) – Cappuccino Cocktails

You join me on the second post sharing my photos from a little weekend’s experimenting with my new Sony Cybershot DSC-HX20V camera in Marbella, Southern Spain. By lunchtime on day one of our stay, I was already at ease operating this simple to use camera, and taking full advantage of its excellent 20x optical zoom facilities.

Today’s photos see me catching the mellow halcyonic lunchtime atmosphere in the sun drenched pine tree sheltered garden patio of my favourite of all cafe-bars, Cappuccino Grand Cafe Marbella, which is situated in the beach side grounds of the plush Gran Melia Don Pepe hotel.

Sitting in the sunshine sipping upon a cool glass of Albariño wine and indulging in that always satisfying past time of people watching, I became captivated by the vividly colourful cocktails, green bottles and fruity rose wines being carried around by the crisp model-like waiters. With a long zoom at my disposal, I was able to capture the kaleidoscope of colourful thirst-quenchers, their jem like glow augmented when shimmering against the potent midday Marbellan sun.

I love the ability of the camera to focus out the surrounding diners, concentrating on the vivid colours and the clarity of light. And of course I have to thank Cappuccino for providing the most chic of all surroundings as inspiration for these simply satisfying images.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Mallorca (Part I) – Day 1: Banoffee bienvenido back to the good life (daily-norm.com)
Norms at Cappuccino Pollença (daily-norm.com)
Mallorca (Part IX) – Day 5: Picture-Perfect Pollença (daily-norm.com)
Mallorca (Part X) – Photography Focus 3: Favourite Shots (daily-norm.com)

May 8

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Marbella in May: a photography experiment (i) – my patio garden

For me, a travel camera needs to be three things. It needs to be small enough that it can be hidden away in my pocket, ensuring that I exhibit none of the tell-tale signs of being a tourist that a camera strung around the neck shouts out like no other. It must have a good zoom – sometimes the best photos are details seen from a distance so that you can benefit from “framing” the detail with some far off backdrop. Finally it must be capable of exceptional close-ups, as nothing thrills me more than an almost microscopic photo of an insect or flower, exhibiting more exciting detail than can easily been seen through the naked eye.

So when my small pocket camera decided to take early retirement, a tough research trail ensued as I set about trying to find a camera with the triumvirate capabilities I demanded.

Eventually I settled on the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX20V. It’s not exactly pretty to look out, but what it promises to do ticks all of the boxes. For a pocket camera it has an incredibly large 20x optical zoom with a further 20x digital zoom capability. It’s easily pocket size although a little bulkier than my former model (which admittedly only had a 5x zoom). And the real winner is its ability to take incredible micro shots from only 1cm away from the subject (see the lizard below!)

Sold, I bought the camera for a snitch at £229 (from John Lewis) and took it with me, the very next day, when I headed to my second home of Marbella in southern Spain. Notorious for its vivid blue skies, beautiful sea views, consecutive days of sunshine (allegedly) and an old town which is truly a gem of Andalucia, what better place to experiment with my new camera?

What follows are a series of posts which share my first photos using my new camera. I’m so pleased with the results. The details captured at the end of the 20x zoom are really impressive, as are the microshots at the other end of the spectrum.

Up first are photos of my family’s little patio garden out in Marbella. A small plot behind our cosy little old house, it’s a very petite but pleasing garden – our own small slice of paradise.

While it looks at its best in the summer, even at this time of year it’s flourishing, as milky white lilies poke up between a large-leafed bird of paradise, the jasmine springs back to life and brightly coloured hibiscus and bourganvilla inject the garden with a panoply of colour.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.