Monday 16 January 2012

Looking forward, looking back


Oxford Street Paddington with two minutes between shots: the upper shot at 7:27pm; the lower shot at 7:25pm.

This is primarily a retail precinct, and retail is doing it tough at the moment. People are still spending, but not on 'things' mainly on 'experiences'. This strip is heavily reliant on up-market fashion and shoe shops, with a sprinkling of household accessory outlets. On Wednesday, I will show you just how bad they are hurting.

The upper shot is dominated by the renovated 'Imperial Hotel'. The lower shot is dominated by the Paddington Inn. Both are very nicely appointed, with exceptional diners. They are in the 'experience' category, so should be smiling.

Data for the upper shot: F5.6, S/S 1/1600, ISO 1000, Focal Length 105mm
Data for the lower shot: F5.6, S/S 1/500, ISO 1000, Focal Length 50mm

17 comments:

Jo said...

Oh I'm so sorry the retailers are suffering. I love your shots. So similar yet so different. Have a great week. Jo

Luis Gomez said...

I used to walk along Oxford. Up and down for hours. Taking pictures or just looking at windows.

Nellies said...

Beautiful photos. Especially the first one with the dark skies ahead. And it's sad indeed to see the retailers suffering. Unfortunately it's not much better here in NYC, I see too many closed stores at the moment.

Carole M. said...

yes a sorry state when retail is plummeting like it is. Glad to know the publicans are holding it together. I'm really amazed at the differences in those two photos/lighting-wise. You are obviously well tuned with camera-technics. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Times are tough for retail these days... love your love light shots!

diane b said...

Sad about the economy. We are hurting too. Top shot very dramatic.

Jim said...

The Paddington Inn is looking great since it was done up.

Ann said...

Magic light in the top one.

Mark said...

Looks very quiet for 7pm, hope they are all not at BJ W@#tf*&@d!

Julie said...

Sadly, Mark, that is where many of the shoppers have gone, to BJ WF. I hate the place myself, as I get lost so easily and the design is the same from centre to centre. No soul.

Jack said...

Quite a change in a short period of time, Julie.

Peter said...

Love that top shot also. The problem, besides a drift to frugality, is that the high streets are being hurt by the big box shops and malls.

Julie said...

Jack: If you check the settings, I let in much less light in the top shot, to emphasise the dramatic sky and the fall of the setting sun upon the facade of the hotel.

Peter: It is the big box shops and malls that I find appalling. And I think shoppers whose prime criteria is price, will rue the day. Give us 10 years, and individual boutiques will have vanished, and we will all be dressed the same. Sad.

freefalling said...

Fancy that.
That first shot looks like downtown Ararat.

Julie said...

Really ... I guess it may have been the era when it was built ...

Joan Elizabeth said...

The light is lovely and I like the time lapse approach. I don't think we will be dressed the same, with cheap clothes from China you can buy for a song, throw all sorts of things together and throw out when you are tired of it.

Julie said...

Some clothing is not even lasting a season before it is in Vinnies. And in Vinnies the quality of what is on offer (and quantity) is decreasing all the time. Price is not the be-all and end-all, but people will only wake up to this when they have not choice in the items available in the stores. Then it is too late.