London Parade - 2011

This year - 2011 - the London New Year's Day Parade had it's 25th Anniversary. Whilst I've not been attending it that long - never mind photographing it - the time has a special significance for me because the parade has been around in London for almost as long as I have. Anyway, the overcast day which was January 1st and the threat of rain here in London didn't put me off bringing in my cameras and trying to get a few photos.
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Like last year the parade began in Piccadilly and wound it's way through central London,  finishing in Parliament Square some hours later - you can read my post (with some photos) of the 2010 event here. I like to go where the performers are setting up, and get in amongst them whilst they get ready for the parade itself and this year was no different for me - I headed for Berkeley Square and Berkeley Street. The first photograph below could almost pass as a self-portrait  (there are no prizes for spotting me !)

One advantage of using a digital camera (it took me quite some time to convert from film) was - on this occasion - was te ability to change ISO and keep shooting. I started the shoot at 200, and as the light became worse, changed to 400, ending on 800, as rain threatened.  

Didn't take as many photos as last time - about 150 rather than almost 400, but on an initial inspection some of them at least (well 1 or 2 maybe) look promising, whilst others are distinctly soft. Perhaps I should have tried 400 or 800 from the start, or brought a flashgun as many of the other photographers who were around at the time. Perhaps I will next time, and maybe I'll try photographing the end of the parade then, not the start ....

London New Year Parade

Into Central London on New Year's Day for the annual New Year's Day Parade, now in its 24th Year. It's become something of a tradition for me to go in and photograph the parade, with its colour,  marching bands, cheerleaders and multi-national performers. It can be, on occasion a difficult event to attend,  given it begins at noon on Jan 1st, if the previous evening/night has ended late .....

 

This year's parade reversed the usual route of previous years, beginning in BerkleyStreet/Piccadilly and ending in Parliament Square. I like to get to the beginning before its starts and photograph the participants as they're setting up or starting off. I've tried in other years to get pictures of the parade as it winds its way along the streets - eg in Whitehall - but it can be difficult, with the crowds of spectators getting in the way.

It can be bitterly cold - like this year - can't be much fun for the people who go off last - it was about 13:30ish by the time they set off on this occasion which meant about an hour and a half (or more, depending on arrival) hanging around Berkeley Square. Wonder if they prefer rain ?

It may have been cold, but the winter sun was shining. Not that it was quality light, very harsh and contrasty, at a low angle, dark enough at street level, had to be careful with burnt out skies in backgounds....Still, managed to take 1 or 2 photos.