Shooting Central at Night // Layer 01
2006-01-23 / 8:26 p.m.
(Only for a few photos.)
When I am asleep and people phone me, I sleep through it. Even if it is ringing right next to my ear, my brain finds an excuse to pass it by; I cannot remember the number of times I genuinely thought my phone is ringing in my dream instead of reality. When my brother answers the phone, he will tell you that I am sleeping, and if you would want him to wake me up. Then he wakes me up if you want to.
Yesterday, deep in my sleep, I was drawn to a more lucid state by the ringing phone. I knew it was my boyfriend. I heard the distant ringing, through my walls, along the hall, into my brother's corner of his room where his phone resides. I sat up and answered his call.
Nibbling on French bread (freshly baked; still warm on the fingers), we took the new 159 - my first time being on one - to central to take my night life photos.
Sam has only been to central twice. Once was with me as part of the whole quadriple. As for me, I know central at almost the back of my hand, I know the walking routes and the short-cuts and the ... it is basically my home =D. Sometimes I would stop walking and think for a few seconds, just to re-locate myself and the route I am taking; sometimes, I don't even know where I'm going.
Me: Mmm... where are we?
Sam: Why are you asking me?! I don't know this whole area!
Me: Ahh we'll find our way eventually, central is very small.
Sam: Yeah, the [geographical word] of London is rather small.
Me: What?
Sam: Oh, I mean, the [another geographical statement].
Me: ... Sam shut up.
Oh my lord.
When we got to Trafalguar Square I was so happy. There were almost nobody there! It was all dark with the lights lit upon statues and the fountains. I literally ran across the whole square, screaming,
"HELLO TRAFALGUAR SQUARE!"
Nobody could contain my enthusiasm; that place is like, home to me.
Setted up my tripod, took pictures overlooking Trafalguar Square; it was a truly breath-taking sight and experience. I instructed Sam about the angle, the stillness it all has to be in order to take a crystal clear picture, then climbed on the edge of the water fountains, and posed, one-legged, for around 5 seconds where the capturing takes place. I swear, by the 3rd second I was under the threat of dropping inside the fountain! My lord that would be funny. But the water didn't look too nice - it was all foamy, for some unknown reason =/.
When we were crossing Westminster Bridge - I'm sure I've said this so many times before - there were nobody! The Houses of Parliament were lit with brilliant yellow lights, presenting all the glory and the detailed architecture of those buildings. Taking the opportunity of no human heads poking out on my photograph, I set up my tripod, configured everything, and then ready to take ... suddenly, a group of twenty started strolling past my camera! I screamed through frustration,
"AAARRGHHHHHH!!!!!"
Of course, people turned around to look at me, the me who had my head buried deep inside my hands through agony, and Sam who was next to me, laughing at my explosion.
Sam was always curious about the [epic] process I go through before taking my picture: getting the correct angle (obviously not very successful if you look at my flickr), setting correct scene mode, configuring EV, you name it. Doing all those I have to be in-level with my camera LCD screen, thus I have to kneel or crouch down; Sam would look into my LCD screen, showing a childish 'eh?' interest =). At times when I got up after taking the shot, I often bang my head on his head, who was bending down to watch my LCD screen. It really did hurt.
Walking around central, I just left the tripod legs poking around. Normally I wouldn't do it but central at dinner-time-ish is so darn desserted that it wouldn't matter. At some odd times I would poke someone with it; there was once where I accidently hit this Rasta on his balls, oucchh sorry, but he was witty about it, hoho!
Apart from hotpot night on Christmas a few years back with Matt, Henry and Ken, I haven't stayed out at central this late - not on my own without family. It is a whole new experience for me; and I was exceedingly hyper! Sam and I walked along the empty streets of central London, with our shadows casted on the pavement and walls, hand in hand, swinging it, talking - laughing really loudly! - stopping spontaneously and taking pictures of the architecture, the roads, the river, everything! I especially enjoyed dancing in the middle of the big wide roads, not with one car on sight.
I remember a particular spontaneous act of mine exactly. There was a whole pavement empty of people, but I pulled Sam over to the edge of a wall that is separating a park from a building, and I started walking on that ledge. Instantly compromising, Sam got up on the ledge with me as well. There were entrances to the park where the ledge had to break, and coming upon them, we jumped across to the other side together.
It really was a freezing cold night. My coat was in the wash after Perilla slobbered all over it, so I only went out in a cardigan over my tank top and my fleece over it. But for the major fraction of the night, my fleece was left in my bag. My fingers has lost their sensitivity, too cold to the touch of the metal of my tripod, but I wasn't shivering at all. No shivering and no clashing of the teeth happened. I did not once complain about the biting wind. I genuinely felt so warm. With Sam next to me, I bypassed the violent chills, feeling much less cold than I really should. His coat was on his arms for most of the night too; he took my hand in his and put it in his top pocket, and that was enough to keep us both warm.
Sam: *recognises building* I think I've been here before...
Me: Yeah, that would be with me.
♥ Joey
Previous entries:
My brother's 18th! - 2006-06-12
No more exams! - 2006-06-10
Two more exams left! - 2006-06-07
Game Maniac - 2006-06-04
Antipication of no exams. - 2006-06-02
More entries could be found here.
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