I spent a couple of days in and around Oxford last week. The weather was good and got the chance to wander around a number of the university colleges. Apparently, the design of the colleges at Oxford was down to safety. Many students were being killed by the locals so they built colleges to protect the students and keep them safe. One of the oldest of the colleges is New College. Build in the 14th Century, the college was once home to Hugh Grant, Kate Beckinsale, Angus Deayton and Rick Stein. The famous Atheist Richard Dawkins is a fellow of the college.

The Bridge of Sighs that crosses the road on the way into New Collee looks nothing like its famous Venetian namesake. If anything, it looks more like the Rialto Bridge.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest research libraries in Britain and home to arguably Oxford’s most famous building, the Radcliffe Camera. The Bodleian’s quadrangle houses the various schools that scholars used to have to study at in the correct sequence in order to obtain their degree.

The Divinity School at the Bodleian, Oxford

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford

Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

View of the camera

New College, Oxford

The piano

This picture was shot with the Sigma 50mm 2.8 Ex Macro lens in 2005, I think. I am in the process of adding more muscial photographs to my portfolio and already have numerous piano type shots. This one is my favourite however. I don’t quite know why.

The Sigma 50mm is a very good lens particularly for macro work. Of all the Sigma lenses I own, this must rank as one of the sharpest. Even wide open at 2.8, this lens is sharp from corner to corner. In many ways, I don’t think you can beat prime lenses. I am currently experimenting with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 prime. This gives roughly a 50mm field of view because of the DX sized sensor on most modern DSLRs and the crop factor. Most of the photography greats such as Robert Capa, Doisneau etc, shot with a similar set up.

hedt54yrns

In New York, I stayed on Manhattan island, somewhere between Central Park and Times Square. I could take pictures in this city forever. For now I will share 5.

The Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan

I think this shot was taken from Brooklyn Bridge looking back up the island.

The Empire State Building

Wherever you are in NY, you can’t avoid the majesty of The Empire State Building

Tourists on Times Square

I like this shot. I was trying to capture the movement and hurly burly of the city

Radio City Music Hall

Not far from Times Square is the Radio City Music Hall.

Taxis - Everywhere

Taxis are everywhere in this great city. Although they are not quite as grand as they once were.

• http://bit.ly/2Jc0tE – Love this building. Lloyds, London #

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