Skateaway - 2

Here's another shot from our walk yesterday around the Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square.

There still weren't that many skaters on the rink. With the big smile on her face, this girl was certainly having a great time, especially as she just about had it all to herself.

She was whizzing around with her blonde hair flowing and her Christmas cardie flapping in the breeze. I've seen lots of Christmas jumpers, but never a cardigan. Maybe she's a trendsetter.

Taxi McTaxiface

Here's a very happy looking taxi. With a smile that's on par with Yashika's from yesterday.  I bet he is driven well and obeys the rules of the road, unlike many real taxis.

I saw him in the window of the children's clothes shop, that usually do very good themed window displays, and couldn't resist taking a photo.

If You're Happy And You Know It

With his smiling face, I take it that this dwarf is Happy. Or could it be Doc?

Whoever it is, the owner of this local shop has made a nice job of cheering their window up for both their customers and passers by.

The Look Of Love

We are in Chester for the weekend with a photography friend of ours called Jurgen. We are here to visit the studio of professional photographer Damian McGillycuddy. He is opening his studio tomorrow and demonstrating how he takes his amazing photos of models etc.

It has been difficult in trying to find somewhere to stay, as the visit clashes with Ladies' Day at the races. When we got into town, we saw all these people coming from the racecourse in their finery. A photographer's dream. Shooting on the street, and people happy being photographed.

I spotted this rather pretty young lady handing out flyers for a local bar. I thought she looked lovely, and with such a wonderful smile too.

Sweet Sixteen

As well as Oona, last night we had the delightful company of Nikki. She is also a model, but was there as a photographer. We had met before, as she did a shoot with Alan our teacher a few weeks ago, where she dressed up as a rather fetching WW2 WRAF.

I caught her here coming out of Alan's small studio. When Nikki saw my camera, she stopped and stood smiling, so I could take a photo or two.

She's a lovely person and will make a great natural model when her modelling career develops.

Smile And The Whole World Smiles With You

This rather extraordinary piece of art was on show last week at the castle whilst the Olympic torch visited the city.

It had been designed by architectural students from the university and appeared to be made from brand new pallets.

I took various shots of it from different angles, but this happy looking man with his smiling T shirt, just adds to the fun of the piece.

What A Poser

The bride has a couple of grand-children through a previous marriage. The boy; Leighton loved having his photo taken. He asked me several times throughout the day to take his photo. Especially when were were back at the family home.

He also seemed quite relaxed with posing and somehow knew what to do. Almost as though he had done it before; even though he is only about seven. I would just say to him stand there and he would quite happily strike a pose for me. I think that I took more of him than I did of the bride and groom!

But as you can see, he is quite a photogenic little boy, and was more than happy to stand in various places for different poses. I'm sure his parents will be pleased with the shots I've done. Unfortunately his sister, who is a lot younger wasn't so forthcoming. Especially at the registry office, where she wouldn't smile, or sometimes turned her head away. She also seemed to like rubbing her eye with her finger.

It was also nice to shoot a youngster without the fear of an angry parent assuming that I was up to no good. I'm sure there are less photos taken of children these days than there used to be. Especially those of children playing outdoors, as seen through the lenses of photographers in more carefree days.