Portrait with Hands

© Andrew Or

It it said that a person's eyes can be the most expressive part of a face but don't neglect a person's hands. While people speak, their hands may reveal a vast array of expressions that may make incredible portraits.

Ellen MacArthur in Greenwich

© Andrew Or

Today, Dame Ellen MacArthur sailed along the River Thames from Greenwich to Tower Bridge and back to thank thousands of fans who supported her during her record breaking solo voyage around the world.

On Monday, 7th February 2005, Ellen completed her 27,000 mile solo trip around the world in her Trimaran B&Q arriving back in Falmouth, setting a new world record of 71 days and 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

Standing on a stage at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Ellen appeared in front of a delighted crowd and spoke about her experiences during her solo exhibition. Finally, Ellen boarded the Cutty Sark to wave goodbye the crowd which is when I managed to capture this photo. Not only was the camera man filming me but Ellen was waving straight at me!

Gordon and I followed Ellen from Greenwich to Tower Bridge and back to Greenwich in my old VW Golf to capture today’s events.

Don't forget to visit the Team Ellen website as well as the Ellen MacCarthur Trust.

London Chinese New Year celebrations

© Andrew Or

Thousands of Londoners witnessed the colourful Grand Parade down Charing Cross Road towards Trafalgar Square which marked the start of the Chinese New year celebrations to welcome the Year of the Rooster on Sunday, February 13th.

This year I teamed up with my friends Gordon and Lara and we took photos of the event from several locations using varied equipment. All Canon of course!

Kyoto Climate March

© Andrew Or

Uncle Sam the Grim Reaper stares up at the US embassy in London's West End where about 500 protesters organised by the Campaign against Climate Change marched carrying flags of the 136 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol treaty.

City of London Nightscape

© Andrew Or

This is a south facing view of the City of London. The tall building on the left is on St Mary Axe, whilst the glowing blue building is Lloyds of London on Leadenhall Street. The road on the right is Bishopsgate which is a very busy thoroughfare that runs through the City past Liverpool Street Station.

Mayflower Resolution on the Thames

© Andrew Or

The Mayflower Resolution was designed to install wind turbines in hostile coastal environments and was used to install the North Hoyle wind farm in North Wales. This photo was taken on the River Thames by Shad Thames. I wonder what it is doing on the River Thames?