Struggle Home by andycoleborn

Struggle Home

Tube strike in London today meant misery for many thousands of commuters, such as these poor folk queuing to outside the entrance to the station at Canary Wharf.

It's another night time / long exposure shot I'm afraid, taken resting the camera on a wall leaving the shutter open for 2 or 3 seconds. Quite like the ghostly effect of all those legs of the people walking past coupled with those waiting patiently to enter the station and continue their struggle home.

Here's another view from inside looking out I took in September http://365project.org/andycoleborn/365/2010-09-29

As for me... The overground wasn't on strike so no problems to or from work :-)... Although I did wake feeling groggy and bunged up so have been drinking fresh honey/ginger/lemon all day.
It's become a regular thing, hasn't it? We have to learn to put up with it. The photos representing the strike on here are always far more interesting that the standard cliched shots you see on the news and in the press.
November 3rd, 2010  
@electricwriter I agree Matt, here is a fine example. Nice Andy

Also you're not after a sympathey vote for the man flu are you? If you are, good on ya...we all do it
November 3rd, 2010  
I'm with you on the blurr, it doesn't harm the image at all.
November 3rd, 2010  
thanks guys... @azza_l LOL... Yep.! Nothing worse than man flu!!!
November 3rd, 2010  
your last few photo's have been fab your getting really good .Did you watch that great prgramme on tv on how to take a stunning photo
November 3rd, 2010  
This is a great photo. Love the ghosts of movement and then the solid images of waiting. Sort of a present and past statement. Really nice and a fav.
November 3rd, 2010  
love this!!
November 3rd, 2010  
awesome shot. very cool.
November 3rd, 2010  
Do they just randomly pick certain lines to close down so as not to affect the whole tube system? I too like the ghostly legs
November 3rd, 2010  
Great shot! I love the black and white and the juxtaposition of the blurry and still people.
November 3rd, 2010  
I love the blur... I think it makes the picture.
November 3rd, 2010  
@andifree Nope... it's the whole network.. although a few break the strike so maybe 30% of trains run... This was the 3rd or 4th strike this year... firemen walk out for the 3rd time this weekend (Bonfire Night so there busiest day of the year)... Winter of Discontent eh!!!
November 3rd, 2010  
@ukers Thanks - I've seen a couple, but my girlfriend recorded the series... something I've got to catch up with at some point..
November 3rd, 2010  
and me done the first few.
November 3rd, 2010  
Your work is so impressive and this is definitely no exception! I agree with you on the long exposure...wonderful effect!
November 3rd, 2010  
The ghost legs are cool. Hope you are feeling better..try scotch!
November 3rd, 2010  
love that architecture, works well in b&w
November 3rd, 2010  
Wonderful wonderful shot! Super stuff! Hope you're not getting a cold..
November 3rd, 2010  
This is fabulous, love the contrast on the B&W :)
November 3rd, 2010  
Fantastic shot, everything is great about it.
November 4th, 2010  
I love your work with long exposure. I no very little about it and looking at you photos gives me some ideas.
November 4th, 2010  
This is wonderful! I almost didn't open it from the thumbnail. I'm glad I did!
November 4th, 2010  
This is amazing!! Do you know the result before you take your long exposure shots? is it a lot of trial and error?
I love the focus of the heads and the blur of the legs.
November 4th, 2010  
Cool picture! I love the motion.
November 4th, 2010  
FanTAStic!!!
November 4th, 2010  
Like it - I must have a play and try this out - nice in B&W
November 4th, 2010  
Wonderful pic, love the motion captured, and the ghost effect! (cool to see cheetahs in the wild so close)
November 4th, 2010  
Cool, really portraits so much - commuting and being stuck really is a bit like wandering around like a ghost! I normally take the bus to the train to get out of London (it's the other way round for me, I live in London but commute outside for work) - but the roads were just so busy and blocked, I ended up walking to the station... Took me 50 min! :-s Sorry, am rambling... - great shot, like it in b/w and portraits the feeling really well!
November 4th, 2010  
there are so many things i love about this shot. the striking B&W. the ghostly looking commuters roaming seemingly nowhere, the blur of motion... it just works on a lot of levels. fav
November 4th, 2010  
Many, many thanks guys for your great comments - I did send this in to the BBC website as they were after tube strike photos... but didn't see it on there :-(
November 4th, 2010  
@tangie Thanks Angela... It's still a bit trial and error but the more I'm doing the more idea I have of what I'll end up... Finding night shots very addictive at the moment (as you can see :-)...)
November 4th, 2010  
Lovin these long exposure shots, and so cool for me to see these photos from across the world from me.
November 5th, 2010  
Canary Wharf and Southwark are two of my favourite stations. investment made all the difference. St.Pancras is wonderful now as well.
November 6th, 2010  
Busy, busy blur! I like it!
November 10th, 2010  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.