Lumiere Durham 2019

Part of my Lumiere and light shows series.

In November last year I travelled up to Durham to visit the bi-annual Lumiere light show. I’ve visited before when it came to London, but never to Durham where it started.

The weather wasn’t ideal for this years’s festival - so it was an interesting challenge of getting around and taking photos whilst keeping at least moderately dry.

Four vertical panels are side by side in the dark. They’re light from behind with bright neon colours, projected with shadows of birdcages.

Shadow birdcages by Jony Easterby

Durham botanic gardens ― 2019/11/16
1/50s at f/2.8, 24mm, ISO 2200, Nikon D800

These birdcages by Jony Easterby were probably my favourite installation - simple in design, but fascinating and beautiful in execution.

A birdcage is hung outside at night with bright green and red leds just behind it. In the foreground the shadows and light are projected on a screen.

Shadow birdcages by Jony Easterby

Durham botanic gardens ― 2019/11/16
1/180s at f/2.8, 70mm, ISO 3200, Nikon D800

Feathers spin quickly at night. They’re lit from below, and look almost like smoke.

Feather Turnstones by Jony Easterby

Durham botanic gardens ― 2019/11/16
1/30s at f/6.7, 38mm, ISO 6400, Nikon D800

Orange streaks of light in a dark woodland.

For the Birds, 2017, by Jony Easterby & Kathy Hinde, Mark Anderson, Pippa Taylor, Ulf Pedersen

Durham botanic gardens ― 2019/11/16
3s at f/4.8, 24mm, ISO 2500, Nikon D800

The frame is filled with circles of light in an arc pattern. The colours vary from deep oranges to light lilac.

Light tunnel by Dan Shorten / Guildhall Live

2019/11/16
1/125s at f/4, 200mm, ISO 3200, Nikon D800

Orange balls of light hand suspended from darkness

Wave by Squidsoup

2019/11/16
1/125s at f/4, 200mm, ISO 560, Nikon D800

The vast hall of Durham Cathedral at night. The hall is filled at various levels by warm hanging lights. On closer inspection, the lights are made from white vests lit from within.

Spirit by Compagnie Carabosse

Durham Cathedral ― 2019/11/17
1/15s at f/2.8, 55mm, ISO 6400, Nikon D800

Pairs of brightly coloured lights in the shape of shoes dangle from a line suspended between two rows of houses.

Shoefiti by Deepa Mann-Kler

2019/11/17
1/90s at f/4, 150mm, ISO 4500, Nikon D800

A large cylindrical light projects abstract patterns outwards on to the surrounding walls

Celestial brainstorm by Amelia Kosminsky

2019/11/17
1/20s at f/2.8, 24mm, ISO 6400, Nikon D800

A projector projects repeating patterns on to the trees on a far riverbank.
A projector projects repeating patterns on to the trees on a far riverbank.
A projector projects repeating patterns on to the trees on a far riverbank.
Geometrical traces by Javier Riera

Geometrical traces were my other stand-out from the event. Hard to photograph, but mesmerising in real life.

Durham Cathedral at night, shot from the opposite bank of the river. The trees below are full of white mist.

Fogscape by Fujiko Nakaya and Simon Corder

Durham Cathedral ― 2019/11/16
1/60s at f/2.8, 26mm, ISO 6400, Nikon D800

A neon sign with the word ‘Lumier’ in blue, surrounded by red neon.

2019/11/16
1/250s at f/2.8, 32mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Part of my Lumiere and light shows series. Shot in Durham.