Look up, look around, observe – take inspiration from London’s blogs

Assume this position ocassionally when getting from A to B

We Londonders walk looking at our feet, or the people in front, or the road.  We’re always in a hurry, and we rarely look around us or upwards -  at the buildings, the sky, the architecture, the graffiti and signs.  There’s soooo much going on in London that we all miss, and I’m as guilty as anyone for it. 

I’m trying to remember to be curious and look around - I’m finding that a great way to train your eye to see things is to carry a camera and you’ll look for interesting things.   I’ll post what I find from time to time but in the meantime, here’s some blogs which show the hidden history, individuality and beauty of London; and which inspire me:

• Little London Observationist – daily sweet, funny, arty, surprising snippets from London life (and today showing the HPL’s photos of Brixton market, thank you!):  http://littlelondonobservationist.wordpress.com/
• Jane’s London – ghost signs and other hidden artefacts: http://www.janeslondon.com/
• Faded London - old signs, historical and architectural interest: http://faded-london.blogspot.com/
• The Photo Story of My Life – 100 photos in 365 days and thoughts on the world: http://photostoryofmylife.posterous.com/
• Slow Down London – encouraging Londoners to slow down, observe and appreciate what’s around us: http://slowdownlondon.co.uk/
• Onion Bag Blog – Lambeth commentator and great photographer: http://onionbagblog.com/
• Secret London – taken some stick recently but has random park benches, adverts, oddities and secret views sent in by Londoners: http://www.secret-london.co.uk/Welcome.html

UPDATE: Tiffany P at Secret London has pointed out that like the silly cah I am, I’ve given the wrong Secret London website, well not the one I was thinking of.  The Secret London everyone’s been talking about recently is here: http://secretcities.com/london/.  Although I quite like the one I found instead, so check it out too!