Cloud Cover Over Hong Kong’s Chi Lin Nunnery

I just couldn’t escape the clouds during my time in Hong Kong, they were everywhere! And while it would have been nice to see some sunshine, they did at least provide a dramatic backdrop for some photography at the Chi Lin Nunnery.

I spent a good while in this spot waiting for the best moment to get a shot without many people in. Almost every time I was about to click the shutter another large group would enter through the front door! So I would just sigh and wait another few minutes for them to wander through.

Eventually it all came together, and I even managed to keep my camera straight whilst rushing for the shot! This was the most peaceful place I visited in the city of Hong Kong, the striking contrast to the cityscape behind impossible to ignore.

Stockholm’s Gamla Stan During Blue Hour

At this time of year sunset colours and blue hour in Stockholm last for a long time, which is a blessing as the sun sets around 3pm. I was really excited to try and get some shots like this after dark, but most of the buildings along the waterfront are not lit up at all at night.

Fortunately I managed to get this shot during blue hour as we walked back to our hotel. The old town of Stockholm, Gamla Stan is apparently one of the best preserved medieval centres in Europe. It’s a great area to explore on foot, and during December there’s a Christmas market in the square.

We were expecting cloud cover for the weekend but actually had some nice blue skies on Saturday. The seasons can transform a place, and I’d love to go back in the summer when I can get about without all of my winter gear. The cold weather is not a great motivator for taking long exposures by the water!

A Singapore Sunset At Marina Bay

I just couldn’t resist this famous composition of the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands while visiting Singapore at the weekend. Fortunately it was coupled with a fantastic sunset which lit up the clouds something special.

This viewing platform on the Helix Bridge is definitely one of the most well known spots for photography around Marina Bay. I had three other people setting up tripods around me when I took this shot! But it can be tricky to get a sharp image because the bridge bounces up and down as people walk across.

All of the architecture around the Marina Bay area of Singapore is a bit otherworldly. I often felt like I was walking through something from a sci-fi novel. This bridge looks like it could have been lifted straight from an alien spaceship!

Amongst The Lava Rocks Of Waikoloa

You’ll find lava rocks and tide pools like this all around the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. It must be one of the easiest places in the world to find good foreground interest for shots of the ocean!

Before we left for our vacation I did some research on Google Maps satellite view to see what I could find within walking distance of the hotels we were staying in. This shot was taken a two minute walk from the Fairmont Orchid hotel in Waikoloa as we experienced our first Hawaiian sunset.

I knew in advance there would be some nice lava rock around here, but I had no idea about the tide pools! The reflection captures some clouds that aren’t in the shot, and hopefully leads you to wonder what else might be out there if you could just look around outside the frame.

Above The Clouds On Mauna Kea

Did you know that you could ski in Hawaii?! As we reached the summit of Mauna Kea I was certainly thankful for the extra layers I had packed especially for this trip. Although there’s no snow up here outside of winter, the temperature was enough to set my teeth chattering.

At a height of 13,803 feet it was a very different environment to the one we had left behind on the beach a few hours earlier. Given the elevation there was a chance of altitude sickness, so I didn’t want to exert myself any more than necessary. I left my tripod behind and set about shooting the sunset.

The white structures are two of the many telescopes at the summit, which is one of the best places in the world for looking out into the universe. Poking through the clouds on the horizon is the Haleakala volcano on the island of Maui, about 80 miles from this spot!

Have you seen a sunset from above the clouds? Maybe you’ve visited Mauna Kea? Let’s start a conversation!

Across The Fields Of Tuscany

We were blessed with some beautiful clouds on this evening in Tuscany. Just before we settled down for dinner I scurried up the road from our villa to take a few shots across the fields. Unfortunately the sun was largely hidden, but every now and then it would peek out and light up parts of the countryside. Back at the villa we witnessed a beautiful sunset whilst enjoying some fantastic red wine. Looking back at images like this I really can’t wait for the summer!