It’s been a little busy with the run up to Christmas and various other things lately, but I managed to get out with family and friends recently for a visit to Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park.
For those that have not had the pleasure, Winter Wonderland is a (mainly Germanic) collection of themed rides and craft stalls, food even a massive alpine pub. Looking beyond the ever present commercialisation, however, shows a picture of families and loved ones enjoying Christmas and having fun after a hard days work or shopping and aside from the Ferris wheel, Ice Rink, Haunted house (yes I did say Haunted house, think zombie santa) there are also plenty of opportunities for candids.
Apologies for the grain in this image I was shooting in the dark and ramped the ISO higher than I would have liked, but I did not want to use flash and destroy the great warm light. There were 5 Santa’s at the pub but by the time the crowd parted I managed to capture just these 3. I later saw the Santa’s, pints in hand, marauding near a basketball stall until being chased away by the stall staff (no presents for them).
Processing was pretty straightforward, a little adjustment in RAW, some levels in Photoshop before adding a glow in NIK Color Effex.
A Brief Moment in Time 
Nice catch Chris. Didn’t know Santa drank adult beverages
Nor did I Len but the evidence is there
Awesome shot! Puts me right back! I actually bought a drink from HERE a couple weeks ago. It was such a fun place to visit, and I’m glad we went! Now if i could have only made one of the carnival baskets and won that stuffed animal for the cute little girl.
It was heaving the night we went, Adam
Now this is just so cool man, what a great find. Awesome processing too.
Thanks Dave, it’s a bit grainy but I think that adds something to the atmosphere
Nice capture Chris. You’re right the warm glow creates a really nice ambiance.
Thanks Edith, that was what I was aiming for as the night was very cold but the light from the bar very warm and inviting.
Very cool capture Chris. The warm, glowing light is fantastic.
Thanks Steven. I toyed with flash to add a little to the foreground but did not want to scare the Santa’s away. I think I’m glad I went with just natural light
Nice shot, Chris. We’ve had something similar in Milton Keynes for a couple of years. Flash would have ruined it, the grain really is not intrusive at all.
Thanks dude. I’ve always hated grain, even in the old film days so it bugs me a little but the result is worth it.
Nice shot! Being Santa must be thirsty work!
Thanks Marc, sure must be. I saw a few hundred Santa’s racing around a park last week, I guess they have a keep fit program too (who knew)?
that’s just awesome Chris, such a great catch and very timely I might add!
Thanks Jim, it would have been nicer to have gone with less crowds but sometimes you have to play the hand that’s dealt.
Now that’s a cool shot Chris!
Aw, thanks Curt