I spent the day in London yesterday, in a mixture of business meetings and visiting the Salgado Genesis exhibition.
I had 20 minutes between meetings to nip down to the Embankment and take a few pics of the iconic Battersea Power Station.
I would guess that everyone from the UK recognises this building instantly, whereas others of a certain age may recognise it from the Pink Floyd album Animals.
Built in the 1930s and 1950s, it generated coal fired electricity for London for decades, until it closed in 1983.
It is still the largest brick built building in Europe, and it seems that after decades of neglect and wrangling over its future, it is finally being redeveloped fromn this year.The developers will be retaining the towers and chimneys and refurbishing the art deco interior as part of the plans.
For me, as part of our industrial heritage, this building is as iconic as St Pauls, The houses of Parliament and Tower bridge. Though yesterday was overcast, showery and very windy, I am very happy to have got one of my photography targets. I will be back!!
I think the sky adds to the mood of the building, from your commentary. The dark layers make it more dramatic, and the b&w is a great choice of processing.
A FAV ... I want to do some industrial shots and this will serve as both an inspiration and one to try to be as good as. Great job with setting the mood. I really, really like it.
You know I thought that the Battersea Power Station was already developed...must be getting muddled with something else!!! A very moody shot ,in keeping with it's history.
Very nice B&W. I love the dramatic sky in combination with the industrial building. Then the tones are very subtle and still the whole spectrum from white to black is there. fav!
@sparkle It was fabulous. I have been to the ManRay, Adams and Salgadi exhibitions in the last few weeks and all were incredible in their own way. In sheer scope the Salgado was breathtaking, taking you from the Antarctic, to Kamchatka, to indigenous Amazonian tribes of 250 people, to the African wildernesses and beyond, with a lot of aerial shots. What many photographers would take a life to do, he has done is a few short years. It is a genuine Opus. I hope to go back again in a couple of weeks.
@seanoneill with that write up how can I miss the opportunity!! Definitely gunna x check out when it's on and get myself up there in a late night if they have one after work....if not, I can feel a couple of long lunch breaks coming on!!!
@seanoneill I took a look at the video clip advertising it on the natural history site...made me think I need to make a day of it up there rather than trying to squeeze in, I see there are some other pretty good exhibits on at the moment too...thanks for the heads up
Envious of your visit to the Salgado exhibition Sean, but not of your meetings! Hope to visit in a few weeks. This is such a good shot. Love the heavy sky
I'd love to see that exhibition, he is an amazing photographer and such a beautiful soul! This is screaming out for a flying pig but I'll give you a fav for the fantastic b&w of a wonderful building!
Hey, that' s funny: I discovered that this building was used on the album cover from Pink Floyd (see my pic from March 9th). Never knew that. Love it, btw!
