Wide Angle Canal

I've bought a new wide-angle lens for my Fuji cameras, which is especially useful for my favourite types of images, landscapes and architecture.
I had my first chance to use it today on a familiar stretch of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal, and was really pleased with the field-of-view it gives me!
It's also fully manual, which means I have to exercise my brain to achieve the correct focus and exposure.
I'm pleased with my first results.

Fuji XT1, 12mm Samyang F2 lens.

St James With St Thomas Church, Poolstock

Lock 1, Leigh Branch

Moored Up near Lock 1

Leigh Branch View Towards Poolstock

Entering The Leigh Branch

Doubling Up In Lock 86

Under Henhurst Bridge At Lock 86, B/W

City Canalscape

In 1765, the Bridgewater Canal was opened at Castlefield, creating a level link by water between the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines at Worsley and the centre of Manchester. At Castlefield Junction the canal linked into stretches of the River Medlock and the River Irwell that had both been incorporated into the canal and used the basin for the canal wharves. Many of the great warehouses built around this basin are still standing and have been converted for modern use.

Fuji X-T1, 18-55mm lens.

Cast iron rail bridge over the Rochdale Canal

Bridgewater, barges and Beetham.

 In almost 100 years, 10 major warehouses were constructed in the Basin area, including Merchants and Middle Warehouses (below). Others included Dukes, Kenworthy, Grocers, Staffordshire, Victoria and Albert, and the Great Northern Warehouse.

Merchants and Middle Wharves, the oldest warehouses regenerated.

 The arrival of the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, in Castlefield in July 1761, marked the start of the Industrial Revolution. In 1802 the Rochdale Canal joined here at Duke's Lock, lock 92; this was the first canal to cross the Pennines, but the Duke insisted on finishing the link and controlling the junction, hence the name!

Two Towers

 The canal basin at Castlefield is crossed by four large railway viaducts dating from 1848, 1877 and 1898. Seen below are three of them.

The Cornbrook, Great Northern and M,SJ&AR viaducts and a footbridge, Bridgewater Basin.

Urban nature.

Summer Fields

Farmer John Alker in Billinge is busy at this time of the season in his wheat fields.
Some are cut and rolled, others are still ripening in this Summer's glorious weather!

Fuji X-M1, 35mm lens.

Wildflower meadows at Fir Tree Farm

Josie and I set out early today to catch these beautiful fields in all their colourful glory in the morning sunshine!
There are Corn Marigolds, Cornflowers, Corncockles, Camomile and Poppies.

Fuji X M1, 35mm lens.

London - Towards the South Bank

The South Bank of the River Thames contains some of the most iconic London sights, which are photographed hundreds of times every day, so I've only produced a few here, with one or two lesser known images.

Fuji X T1, 18-35mm lens.

Cast Iron vs Glass and Steel.  This is Holborn Viaduct crossing Farringdon Street. The building is Amazon's UK HQ.

Brick vs Glass and Steel. The Shard (1004ft) and Bankside Chimney (325ft).

London Eye Capsules.

The Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster.

Follow The Yellow.......Concrete Steps. Leading to the roof terrace gardens at the Southbank Centre.

London Eye. The red capsule is called 'Cupid's Capsule', as it can be hired for romantic experiences.

Shoreline Artist. This chap had about 4 hours before the tidal Thames washed away his creation, but he was very philosophical about it!!

London - Views from A Clerkenwell Balcony

It's good to get above the hustle and bustle of the busy City streets, so this set of images take in the day and night views from a higher perspective.

Fuji X T1, 18-55mm lens.

Barbican Day to Night

Sunset Shard

Busy Bar Below

Lunchtime Sun or Shade

Lit Up Landmarks

Reflected Sunlight

The Night Crane

Sunset St Paul's and Chimneys

Touching The Clouds

Working Late

Urban Nature Night Time

Urban Nature Pop