Paternoster, Paternoster Square, London (2926) April 2006 | Another

This lone figure stands in Paternoster Square.
During the week 10,000 office workers converge on this small, ancient space behind St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

While I was taking this photograph a security guard sidled over to me and said, without any aggression, that people aren't allowed to use a tripod to take photographs in this place, but that I could finish taking this picture. I showed him the picture on the LCD screen, he said it was an unusual point of view, I said I was avoiding including the sheep in the frame. He smiled and we said goodbye to each other.

A plaque on the front of this sculpture says:
Paternoster
By Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993)
Originally commissioned by Paternoster Development Ltd.
First unveiled by Yehudi Menuhin in 1975
Reinstated by Mitsubishi Estate in 2003

Paternoster Square at wikipedia

Posted on 4/9/2006 1:50:21 PM | Comments

1. Posted by robertm on 4/9/2006 6:07:12 AM
Hello tony, I don't understand why a tripod should be the touchstone between good and bad, though I always grovel to the security as you know! I like the blue and black, reflections on the body, and the unusual angle -- robert

2. Posted by stewart on 4/9/2006 6:55:43 AM
A very interesting story of your successful shot. The shadowy affect has come out very good and the blue has a nice soft tone. I cannot see the connection between a small tripod and security though.

3. Posted by tony on 4/9/2006 7:30:43 AM
Robert, I can only imagine that the criteria is based on the idea of a tripod being an obstruction, especially when the space is busy. However, if you move a few hundred feet away into the 'public' space this 'rule' doesn't apply.

4. Posted by tony on 4/9/2006 7:32:36 AM
Stewart, the security saga continues .. or is it the insecurity saga?

5. Posted by Daddy S. on 4/9/2006 1:05:25 PM
Pater noster qui es in caelis. Nice pic Tony.

6. Posted by tony on 4/9/2006 1:41:12 PM
Hi Daddy S. thanks. I think you got the drift.

7. Posted by twig on 4/9/2006 2:39:28 PM
Your vegetarianism is getting outta hand.
Sheep are vegetables too!
ABDD!

8. Posted by tony on 4/10/2006 12:29:10 AM
Twig, I hadn't thought of it that way. I may've had a subconcious thought, that I wanted to avoid, about lambs being led to slaughter, triggered by passing a 'Chop House' a few minutes earlier.

9. Posted by funny on 4/10/2006 12:37:36 AM
great, picture and story

10. Posted by tony on 4/10/2006 12:44:34 AM
Funny, hi, thanks. Wandering with a camera can lead to unexpected and even entertaining encounters!

11. Posted by Neoslv on 4/16/2006 7:40:31 AM
Great shot. I like the angle!

12. Posted by tony on 4/23/2006 11:00:18 AM
Hi Neoslv, thanks .. this was a small tripod on the ground pic.