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Every Winter for the past six years, Canary Wharf has hosted the ‘Winter Lights’ – a lights festival, featuring a range of illuminated installations which are dotted around the Canary Wharf area.

This year’s festival featured over 25 artworks, installations and interactive experiences, created by inspiring artists from all around the world. The event is always open to the public (free of charge) and it took place, this year, every day from Thursday 16th – Saturday 25th January between 4-10 PM.

I purchased a new camera lens at the end of last year and desperately needed an excuse to use it. So, in hopes of testing out my new lens, I dragged my siblings along with me to the event. Well, actually, I promised to buy them dinner afterwards; I love having to pay people to hang out with me. Literal story of my life.

The Winter Lights featured some installations from previous years’ festivals but there were several new displays. Living so [conveniently] close to Canary Wharf, I’m disappointed in myself for not attending one of these events, sooner. Every year, during the time of the festival, my Instagram newsfeed is always bombarded with photos from the event. I’ve always just sat at home on my lame ass, admiring the artworks and beautiful photos through my screen. This year, I wanted to witness the festival, this time, through my camera’s viewfinder.

The event works kind of like being a tourist in a foreign city, where you can pick up a map and travel from project to project.. It was pretty cold on the day that we attended so we didn’t manage to visit all the displays. I told myself that I’d go back to see what I missed, another day. With my luck, when I finally found the time to attend, the event had already ended. Big fat bummer. Still, the installations that I got to see were beautiful and I managed to get some pretty decent photos.

As a beginner in photography, something that I’ve kept as a hobby for a few years but would like to pursue further, this event really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Even when shooting as a hobby, I would always avoid using my camera when it’s dark outside. However, because the Winter Lights artworks appear better at night, I was forced to work in a low-light situation. Now, I can shoot in dark scenes with more confidence, which I’d say is a step in the right direction.

If you’ve never attended a Winter Lights festival before, stop experiencing it through other peoples’ photos and go and experience one for yourself! As someone with an interest in photography, I think it really provides you with some great shots and maybe even pushes you to try something new. I even took tons of portrait photos of my siblings, posing them in front of the artworks. The vibrant colours made for really great backdrops. So, seriously, don’t be afraid and just go for it! You won’t improve as a photographer until you try new things; challenge is good, challenge means you’re learning something new.

Thanks for reading. Keep scrolling for photos from the event!

Again, please sign the petition, if you can. It only takes a few seconds, your contribution would be sincerely appreciated! Stay safe and stay aware.

Love,

JK ♡

More photos from the 2020 Winter Lights Festival. Photos by JAKIRA.