bikes and things

A fascinating look into the Paris Metro system over at www.sleepycity.net. I love the idea of urban exploring and this really satisfies. The hidden disused stations are incredible.

The Paris Metro and the service it provides are deeply intertwined into the fabric of the city. As the 4.5 million passengers who ride it every day will probably attest it’s the quickest way around whether it’s for work, for play or both. The metro’s distinctive art-nouveau style is unmistakable and the plant like green wrought iron entrances topped with the orange orbs and Metropolitan signage designed by Hector Guimard which sprout up all over the city lead one down to the gleaming white tiled platforms to be whisked away all over the city. On my first trip to Paris I arrived into Gare du Nord and entered the dense maze that is the metro. Despite the crowds, the noise and the distinct odour of piss, I was in love. The kind of love which inspires one to risk life, limb and deportation to get up close and personal.

A great link via @Vaughan to a beautiful series of photos showing the effects of derelict (or foreclosed) houses in the US. Amazing how quickly nature takes over.

So the East Coast of the US has gotten some serious snow last night. Someone knew it was on the way and set a quick timelapse in his garden. Seriously impressive stuff, the timelapse and the snow!

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse. Canon DLSR on tripod with remote timer taking a photo once every five minutes.

Approximately 20 hours in 40 seconds.

via @charlesarthur

Whilst browsing Flickr late last night, being nosey, going from contact to contact, looking at who was friends with who and exploring favourites, I found a set of photos by Alex Bamford. He has a set of night photos taken just under moonlight which are pretty impressive. It Takes a big level of commitment to go out late at night and get these. Most are 30mins plus exposure times which again is pretty impressive. A few of my favourites below. Some also have a series of glow sticks going through the images which are good fun too.

Whilst not normally a fan with anything to do with HDR photography this image has been tastefully done. The Shard is having a real impact on London at the moment and this captures it incredibly well.

Shard Fog, originally uploaded by murphyz.

Simply incredible

via ClairNotClaire

Good god! Just look at that thing.

It is probably safe to assume that David Alvand likes his privacy. Firstly the civil engineer spent 12 years fighting a court battle over a 3.6-metre (12ft) concrete wall which he erected without planning permission around his back garden.

They have launched a formal complaint under antisocial behaviour legislation to force him to cut back the vast leyland cypress trees completely filling the front garden.

Full story over at the Guardian

Even if a driver of an HGV is looking he/she might not see you if you’re on the inside. This little video shows just how bad the blind spot is. Obviously this could be sorted with better mirrors but even so it’s still breathtaking!