I will be 70 this year. My oldest son, Dan, just passed 40. So we decided to celebrate together by attending a fan hoopla put on by the Liverpool Football Club that Dan follows. While flying in to Heathrow, Queen Elizabeth passed away, which we discovered soon after landing. This was of little consequence to us although obviously sad for the people of the UK. That is, until we arrived in Liverpool a day later only to find that the soccer match had been canceled 😢 After drowning our sorrows in a couple pints of very fine English IPA, we pushed on, enjoying each other’s company, I taking pictures with the only camera I was carrying, an iPhone 11.

I think it was Jay Maisel that said, “The best camera is the one you have with you.” So, I decided to test it out during our trip to England. This short post covers the week we spent walking around London and Liverpool, the pictures from which can be viewed in their entirety here. Don’t worry, there are only twenty 😉 I was shooting in jpeg with the iPhone camera and in raw (dng) with the Halide app and I let the camera choose the settings. Subject matter was that which usually interests me except, of course, images requiring a long telephoto.

Bottom line: I was very pleased with the outcome. The raw files were quite robust and stood up well to Photoshop processing; the jpeg files did also, but required a lighter touch and often blocked the darks and lights a little. Day or night images were easily captured. Now, none of this is new, especially to the “selfie” generation, but I had to try it myself.

One of the first images I took in my hotel room. The filtered light from the open window, framed by red velvet outer and white sheer curtains on the inside, reflected off the English furniture and revealed a lush garden beyond. It is a somewhat difficult exposure given the high dynamic range and it took a few adjustments to get it right. The capture was processed so your eye would be led out through the window. Let me know if I have not succeeded!

I like window reflections. They can lead to unexpected results, juxtapositions that play with your head. For whatever reason, being in Liverpool, I thought of the Beatles tune, “All the lonely people.” Strong colors and the passing people with Dan watching were bonuses. Anybody need an album cover?!

Back in London, we spent a couple days in the British Museum; lots of mummies. Daddies too, and little ones 🤨🤦🏻‍♂️ One exhibit that over-promised and under-delivered unfortunately was: Feminine Power, The Divine to the Demonic. Dan and I were both intrigued but agreed the title was better than the content; too many cultural cliches. Except for this striking sculpture. But what do I know? I’m an XY.

Well, that’s it for now. I hope you enjoy the images and please let me know by dropping me an email or comment here in this posting. Click here to see the entire gallery where I will post future iPhone photos.

Best things about our trip: #1, being able to spend time and have extended conversations with my son. #2, Indian food! #3, Indian food! #4, English IPA; lower alcohol than here. London has changed a bunch in 25+ years since I’d visited last; in a good way. I’d never visited Liverpool before, but it’s worth a return visit.