Learning in the u3a movement

A new year and new life in my garden as beautiful snowdrops grow through the old fallen leaves and conifer cuttings of the old year.

Living with a train buff I couldn't help but notice the Old and New.

My favourite local view, from Greenwich park, contrasts the old of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich with the new business hub of Canary Wharf across the Thames.

Two drills How handtools have changed

As a consequence of the latest lockdown restrictions, I was encouraged to look closer to home for inspiration regarding my 'Old and New' image. The inspiration finally came from those immortal words by 'The Two Ronnies' and my picture shows a selection of wonderfully old, well-loved and well-used garden tool handles, (probably originally owned by my grandfather), with my modern equivalent nestled in between.

Old year 2020 and New Year 2021 is all about Covid 19. The Old year interfered with every aspect of our normal life, sanitising, mask and glove wearing became a "normal " way of life. For the New year the vaccine offers hope of returning to normal, looking forward to meeting family and friends again and the prospect of foreign travel.

A night shot at South Queensferry manages to capture the Forth Rail Bridge (opened 1890) and the much newer Queensferry Crossing (opened 2017). Partly silhouetted against the Queensferry Crossing is the somewhat middle-aged Forth Road Bridge. Not much (flood-)lighting these days, but the surface of the River Forth was remarkably calm, reflecting what lights there were.

The sundial (known as the Low Cross) stands in Appleby, a short distance from St Lawrence's Church. I quickly spotted the potential for a photograph of old technology versus new(er) technology. The hard part was finding a safe position from which I could capture the shot I wanted!

A metaphor for the change of year, leaving the darkness behind and looking forward to hopefully a brighter future.

I was very fortunate to be able to quickly take this photo as the baby swan moved into conjunction with her mother’s image. It speaks to me of emergence as the baby moves within the mother’s protective orbit and towards independence. Yet a baby swan needs mother’s image to remind it, it is growing from an ugly duckling into a beautiful strong majestic swan – just like the mother.

Old wine, middle-aged cheese and new grapes. What better combination of old and new could there be! This photo was taken as part of a still life session on our dining table, in which my wife and I were experimenting with different lighting techniques. I like the slightly antique feel I have achieved in this one.

The Log Cabin pattern patchwork cushion in velvet, silks and cotton was made about fifty years ago by my Slade School of Art trained aunt for my mother. Modern engineering produced the sleek smartphone which both displays and is framed by my beautifully coloured but very worn heirloom, now in need of further rescue stitching.

This is much photographed locally. I love the decay and it always looks different depending on the tide and the time of day. It's almost impossible to pass it without wanting to photograph it!

Our Digital Photography Group has been sharing photographs throughout the Pandemic, this one was my offering in the 'Old & New' Share. I feel the use of Black and White adds a nostalgic effect.