Yellow Buoy, Royal Albert Dock, a photo from Merseyside, England

Photographer's Note

Another quick delve into some archive photographs and it wasn't until I had taken a closer look at this one from two years ago that I realised that there was a little bright yellow buoy floating in the water in Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock! And have a look at the workshop for just a little bit of fun: https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_33351.inverted.jpg

Designed by the civil engineer Jesse Hartley and architect Philip Hardwick, Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock, comprising a complex of dock buildings and warehouses, was opened in 1846. It was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone but without any structural wood. As a result, it was the first non-combustible warehouse system in the world.

In the mid 19th century, the dock was considered to be revolutionary in its design because ships were loaded and unloaded directly from or to the warehouses. But by 1900, due to advances in shipping technology, larger and more open docks were required although the Albert Dock remained a valuable store for cargo.

During the Second World War, the dock served as a base for boats of the British Atlantic Fleet but suffered severe damage during air raids on Liverpool. Thereafter financial problems as well as a decline in docking in the city caused the dock to close in 1972. But thankfully, having lain derelict for nearly ten years, the redevelopment of the dock began in 1981 when the Merseyside Development Corporation was set up, with the Albert Dock being officially being re-opened in 1984.

Today the Royal Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction in the city and the most visited multi-use attraction in the United Kingdom outside of London. It is a vital component of Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City and the docking complex and warehouses also comprise the largest single collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in the UK.

The decision to locate a Tate gallery in Liverpool in 1998 was seen as a major success for the city, as it made Liverpool home to the National Collection of modern art in the North of England.

In this picture Tate Liverpool occupies part of the huge brick building on the left with the "Glaciere of Liverpool" berthed beneath it: beyond that lies the modern Museum of Liverpool and to its right are the Port of Liverpool Building and Liver Building.

ISO 100, 1/160 sec at f/8, focal length 35mm.

Larger version of this photo here:
https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_33351.jpg

And, in the workshop, just a little bit of fun:
https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_33351.inverted.jpg

Ilonka1974, Fis2, jean113, jean113, COSTANTINO, holmertz, Royaldevon, jhm, alvaraalto, macjake, Hansaphotos, jmdias has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Ilonka1974 (10305) 2020-05-08 13:09

Hi John,
Great reflections in the water.I like a lot the colors and the contrast between them.Great composition and framing.Colors ,light and sharpness.Well done!
Best regards
Janusz

Fis2 (170861) 2020-05-08 13:09

Witaj JOhn!
A very interesting fragment of town.
Excellent framing and composition.
Reflection is impressive.
Good colors and sharpness.
Very well done.
Nice weekend.
Krzysztof

Tue (92470) 2020-05-08 13:22

Hello John,
A great view of the dock, amazing reflections in the calm water. I always really like those inverted reflections, like you did in WS as well. I have got several photos posted like that as well. The old warehouses frame the view of the famous Liver Building really nicely. And the warm/cold colour contrast is also very attractive.
Lars

jean113 (27893) 2020-05-08 13:40

Hello John, this looks even better (if that is possible) in the large version.
Beautiful mirror reflections with such still water, fabulous.
The yellow buoy seems perfectly placed, not disrupting any of the reflections!
It is a very photogenic place; all credit to those that re-energised the area. There is too much heritage here for it to be lost.
Very interesting notes, particularly about the materials first used to build the warehouses, non- combustible, excellent, very forward thinking.
Kind regards, Jean.

dta (98848) 2020-05-08 13:58

Hello John,
As i'm a reflections and clouds'lover, i enjoy this splendid picture. And of course , the architectural subject is very attractive and the composition is perfect.
Regards

federico (6109) 2020-05-08 14:01

hello John, very nice composition, with perfectly mirroring reflections, the cloudy sky adds a typical touch of english mood
well done
Federico

COSTANTINO (116580) 2020-05-08 21:46

Hello dear friend and have a nice
weekend
original version
greetings for the quality and the
presentation of these buildings...
the yellow detail seems to
be placed there perfetly
regards
Costantino

Nicou (193806) 2020-05-08 22:55

Hello

grandiose perspective et reflet quel miroir sur le plan d'eau ce rouge ces colonne superbe
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

lousat (139332) 2020-05-08 23:11

Hi John,very bright reflections,so it's nice to play with the effect of reverse pic in the WS,truly amazing! Beautiful memory from the new docks of Liverpool,reminds me a lot Genova. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

jemaflor (147224) 2020-05-08 23:39

Hi John,
Great photo very well framed, so nice result with this perfect water mirror,excellent sharpness, I like the depth effect with this perspective, good colors contrast, tfs.

holmertz (102774) 2020-05-09 0:29

Hello John,
I actually like this photo better than the last one. The yellow buoy appeals more to me than the restored boat. It is a more amusing object and leaves so much more of the calm water and its reflections undisturbed. I think the 1/3 balance of the buildings is also better. As for clarity and sharpness the photos are equal. Looking closely at the buoy and its reflection I am reminded of a large apple floating in the water.
Kind regards,
Gert

emka (158204) 2020-05-09 1:03

Hello dear John,

Wonderful view of the Albert Dock, This is a really fascinating place. And from this viewpoint, we can see other iconic buildings. I like also your play with reflections, The yellow ball in the sky looks so surreal.
I show my view in the Workshop. My composition is almost identical. Of course, the quality of my photo is poor, I was there on a cold December afternoon. But one can observe that almost all sides of the dock were full of some boats. Here we can see only Glaciare. What was the reason? Were they moored there for winter?
I hope that you will like it anyway.
Stay safe

MAlgo

[workshop] [compare] +

Silvio1953 (221729) 2020-05-09 1:16

Ciao caro John, great perspective on lovely place, fascinating reflections, splendid light, wonderful natural colors and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-05-09 2:40

Hello John,

I'm not surprised that you were tempted to crop the reflection, the water is so still that it is almost like a mirror image! But, with the slight rippling, is almost like an Impressionist painting, the buoy sun budding into two!! 😆

The clarity of your photograph is superb, the reflection enhancing the linear perspective.
The buildings set the boundaries, keeping attention locked within the dock area, even the Royal Liver Building seeming to be part of the boundary.
Those red pillars add an exciting splash of colour. Whoever decided to paint them that colour had a flash of inspiration.

A most attractive photograph.

Keep safe, this weekend,
Bev :-)

jhm (211736) 2020-05-09 6:40

Hello John,

Liverpool the city, of The Beatles.
What a nice moment when everything are quiet, the reflections are superb.
Excellent photographed with original colours
Nice composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

ifege (48159) 2020-05-09 21:20

Hi John
The first 2 photos provide very contrasting views of the old docks. Both excellent but I do like the third flipped one - a little bit of creativity never went astray.
cheers
Ian

CLODO (45116) 2020-05-10 1:06

Hi John

I have been there too. Nice red perspective underlined by the pillars sustaining the arcades. There was no wind and so a perfect reflection in the water and no boat in this part of the harbour. A place to visit close to the Liverpool Mersey maritime museum.
I apreciate the WS!
Take care
CLODO

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-05-10 2:47

Hello John,
Nice to compare this photo with an almost identical photo in my archive of last year.
The sky is the same, but there is clearly less wind. The orange ball has been replaced by the urchins. People walk on the bridge in the distance while it was broken for more than an hour during our visit and we had to detour.
Thank you for this pleasant memory.
Have a nice Sunday.
Be careful and stay safe, Rob

macjake (98456) 2020-05-22 20:42

Hi John
wow...HOW LONG have I been away from TE...you've posted SO many new shots. Was I in Stewies Time Machine or something :) haha
I chose this one because i just love reflections so much and these old brick looking buildings/wharehouses. the water couldn't have been a better mirror for you here. I much prefer this one than the blue WS photo, this is great. so clear, so reflective, and the bright reds stand out well. Glad you found this keeper. cheers
Craig

Hansaphotos (11381) 2020-05-23 13:14

Hello John

Another excellent post from the same area as your shot with the "Glaciere of Liverpool". It`s good to see that these buildings has been preserved and has got new use. A very sharp and clear photo with great effect of the reflections in the calm water. The yellow buoy is the cherry on the cake. Again a highly informative and interesting note. Excellent work:) TFS.

Greetings, Erling

jmdias (115252) 2020-06-04 13:09

john

I had to divide my attention between liverpool and manchester in only a day and half.I walked in this area, but in the other edge of this dock. a pity I wasn't able to visit the gallery.
excellent image using the water mirror and the colors of the buildings to break the grey mood of the moment, I had some blue in the sky in that day.

take care

jorge