I edited unpublished Winter Wonderland photos with the help AI-assisted software. But I keep the out-of-focus shots for the warm memory.
I prefer using my own voice to write than AI. I’m not against the technology because I use it a lot in my day-to-day work, such as writing professional emails, automation and generating fast artwork. But for a memorable heart-to-heart conversation, nothing beats the warm and flawed human voice.
I went through a set of night time photographs that I took at Winter Wonderland in London over a decade ago. Majority of the images had never seen the light of day before. They’re good images but back then I was a different photographer, chasing a different standard in my work. I taught evening photography classes in central London for City Academy. So, I frequently went out alone at night, including freezing winter evenings, to research for locations and practice on techniques.
The out-of-focus accidents and blurred shots created by my numb hands seem precious now, because I was living the moment.
Fast forward to 2025; post-Brexit, post-Covid and in the middle of the AI era, I dug through my hard drive for the Winter Wonderland RAW images. In 2013, I’d used a lower spec camera for casual outings and an older version of Photoshop, so I wasn’t able to edit the badly exposed photos easily.
But with my Adobe CC Lightroom now, I could fix the troublesome exposure issues with tools like Clarity, Dehaze, etc that are supported by AI. But that’s all I use them for in documentary photography. I paid too much money for the software though, which makes me think about shooting straight to JPG format one day. Not so professional but more fun, like the good old days.
I remember the bitterly cold winter evening when I dragged my tripod around the venue at Hyde Park. I didn’t mind it because the people around me were happy. They were oblivious to the fact that the country was going to be divided by Brexit in a few years’ time, and a little later shut down for three years by a deadly pandemic.
Looking at the images now, I could almost hear the scream and laughter of the punters. My hands were dancing with the camera, following the movements of the rides. There were lovers at the ice-skating rink, which is a classic scene for first dates and romantic opportunities in London. Some of the vendors were smiling, some looked like they’d rather be elsewhere. I remember telling myself that I must spend more winters in the sun.
I love the random marks that the light painting made with the neon lights. The out-of-focus accidents and blurred shots created by my numb hands seem precious now, because I was living the moment. No AI can replace that.
My hands were dancing with the camera, following the movements of the rides.
How to get there: By tube and bus to Hyde Park Corner station. The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland takes place every winter. Rides and attractions are ticketed.
Be prepared: Wear warm sensible clothes and shoes to walk around the park.
If you’re photographing: If you’re photographing manually, use slow shutter speed, low ISO, narrow aperture and tripod (where permitted). Or simply set your camera to Program or Shutter Priority mode.
Night time travel reportage:
Perak on the sea
Transit in Tokyo
Zarina Holmes 