Gold bauble on a frosted artificial tree
London,  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  The Changing Seasons,  Themed galleries

Gallery: a December selection

January 1, 2023 / 56 Comments

So quiet and subtle is the beauty of December that escapes the notice of many people their whole lives through. Colour gives way to form: every branch distinct, in a delicate tracery against the sky. New vistas, obscured all Summer by leafage, now open up.

Flora Thompson

December in London this year has delivered frost, a touch of snow, but also mild and damp weather; a little bit of everything. Of course it has also brought Christmas lights and decorations.

We were at home for most of the month, then travelled north to spend New Year in Newcastle. My photos for the month capture a day out in Hampstead with friends and several outings in central London, as well as a few shots closer to home and a final couple up in Newcastle. The final shot is included specifically for those of you who were curious to see the Sage music venue in Gateshead in colour after I recently shared a gallery of black and white images. And of course I couldn’t let December pass without including a Christmas decoration! So the header photo is of a bauble on our tree.

Technical notes

All these shots were taken with my phone or with my compact point and shoot Lumix. My new Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera didn’t get any outings this month. The black and white and sepia shots were edited with Nik Silver Efex, the others with Photoshop Elements and/or Nik Color Efex.

As always I am linking my selection to Ju-Lyn’s and Brian’s Changing Seasons challenge. 

  • Black and white photo of a vase with seed pods
    On a windowsill in Keats’ House, Hampstead 2022-12-08
  • Pond reflecting trees with orange foliage and birds on a log in the middle
    Hampstead Ponds 2022-12-08
  • Ivy, oak and beech leaves covered in frost
    Frosty fallen leaves on a street in Hampstead 2022-12-08
  • White stars with faces and Christmas hats hanging on a bush
    Decorations outside an Ealing house 2022-12-11
  • Canal with barges, modern buildings and snow on the banks
    Regents Canal near Kings Cross in the snow 2022-12-12
  • Woman in front of display of black and white photos
    Taking selfies in the Photographers’ Gallery, London 2022-12-19
  • Shadow falling on paving coloured blue by reflected Christmas lights
    My shadow on the wet pavements of Carnaby Street 2022-12-19
  • Looking up at large robins suspended above a street
    Decorations in Carnaby Street, London 2022-12-19
  • Close-up of a squirrel on a branch
    Boxing Day squirrel in St James’ Park, London 2022-12-26
  • Three soldiers in red uniforms and shiny helmets with long plumes
    On Horseguards Parade, London 2022-12-26
  • Cluster of red berries on bare branches
    Berries on the street tree outside our house 2022-12-26
  • Woman seated at a table beneath a large mural
    In a coffee shop in Ealing 2022-12-27
  • Three pale flowers with long stamens and soft focus edges
    Vintage treatment of flowers in a bouquet sent by my sister 2022-12-27
  • Sepia shot of houses and a cobbled street
    A back lane in Newcastle given a vintage look 2022-12-30
  • Large curved modern building with boat moored in river in foreground
    The Sage, Gateshead, under a wintery sky 2022-12-30

As I’m posting this on the first day of 2023 I want to take the opportunity to wish everyone who kindly follows my blog, and especially those of you who comment and interact, the very best for the coming year. May we all have a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

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