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Which Board? => Main Forum => : gothamtomato November 10, 2014, 02:26:03 PM

: Poppies at The Tower
: gothamtomato November 10, 2014, 02:26:03 PM
Did any of you go to see the Poppies exhibit at the Tower of London? If you did I'd love to see any photographs. I so been wishing that I was the kind of person who could easily jump on a plane and fly to London just to see it. A couple of friends were just there and said it was very moving, and they photographed it from the top of the Shard as well and it looked amazing.
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: zapsnaps November 10, 2014, 02:36:49 PM
I went pre-dawn (0530) on Saturday morning and it was very moving. Quite a few people there, even at that time. It's a wonderful concept, proceeds go to Services charities and I think it would be wonderful to own one of the poppies, but they sold out very quickly. If you lost a Commonwealth services relative in the War, one could also apply to have their name read out during the Roll of Honour ceremony at dusk each evening. I think that must have been very poignant and quite an honour.
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: Ed Wenn November 10, 2014, 04:37:02 PM
I went with the family 2 weekends ago. It was chaotic and a bit of a nightmare, truth be told and there was just room for me to push my phone through the gaps in the railings and take some snaps. No way I could have got my Bronica out and tried to compose a photo without losing one or both of my kids....and potentially dropping the camera. I came away something of a broken man  :)

However, the good news is that after it having been diked around for a bit like a political football, the installation is set to remain in place for a while longer, so I'll try and get back there at a better time and take in the beauty of it all.
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: Late Developer November 10, 2014, 05:14:48 PM
Crowds permitting, I work no more than a 5 minute walk from The Tower of London.  However, it's been a bloody nightmare trying to even get a sandwich at lunctime most days in the last week or two. 

Last week TfL was forcing people off the Underground at Aldgate as the visitor numbers meant they couldn't get passengers off the platform at the next station (Tower Hill) fast enough.  Therefore, hordes of tourists were traipsing down Minories (virtually past where I work) to get to see the poppies.

As much as I think it's a good idea and as close as I might be physically to it from where I work, I live 55 miles from where I work and I won't be able to get there early enough to get a few shots off and it's dark by 4-4:30 pm.   

: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: gsgary November 10, 2014, 06:10:57 PM
No but I have bought one
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: charles binns November 10, 2014, 08:44:25 PM
I saw the poppies when the moat was half full but haven't found the time to fight the crowds and see it now.  Our office (opposite the Lloyd's building) has a good view though, from the 23rd Floor with the Thames and Sahf London as a back drop.  Not the same as seeing it close up.
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: Indofunk November 10, 2014, 09:40:11 PM
I saw the poppies when the moat was half full but haven't found the time to fight the crowds and see it now.  Our office (opposite the Lloyd's building) has a good view though, from the 23rd Floor with the Thames and Sahf London as a back drop.  Not the same as seeing it close up.

Invest in a 300mm lens?
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: charles binns November 10, 2014, 11:00:09 PM
Indofunk.  I prefer a wide angle lens. ;)
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: Offertonhatter November 11, 2014, 06:44:52 PM
I would have loved to have seen it, especially one of the poppies represents my Great Great Grandfather who died on the 22nd October 1918, only days before the end of the war.
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: gsgary November 12, 2014, 06:18:31 AM
I would have loved to have seen it, especially one of the poppies represents my Great Great Grandfather who died on the 22nd October 1918, only days before the end of the war.
If only he could have lasted another month, another member from Stockport I used to live in Heaton Mersey
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: Paul Mitchell November 12, 2014, 09:32:45 AM
We went back in September when it was only half full but didn't have the crowds of course. Even then it was very moving, I lost a great uncle in WW1 and my grandfather in WW2, hence we bought 2 poppies. Can't share any pics I'm afraid as they were all made on my digital compact.

Paul
: Re: Poppies at The Tower
: irv_b November 12, 2014, 05:34:20 PM
This was going to be my shot for the last collab but I never managed to get my shit together enough to sort it out which was why it was so annoying for me.
Here is the BBC take on it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-29935592?intc_type=promo&intc_location=orb_promo_footer&intc_campaign=worldwarone_portal&intc_linkname=footer_poppy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-29935592?intc_type=promo&intc_location=orb_promo_footer&intc_campaign=worldwarone_portal&intc_linkname=footer_poppy)