New Barnet Leisure Centre
Here is Saunders Boston Architects development of the New Barnet Leisure Centre.
They have created a fantastic pool and leisure complex for the community and there was definitely a buzz about it when I spoke to the visitors, including dog walkers who enjoy walking in the park next to it early in the morning. The light from inside helps them to see!
I wanted to capture it at the start of a new day - the inspired time to kick on and get things going. It always amazes me how on top of things you feel when you've got a job done early in the morning... It's my absolute favourite time - swimming or the gym included. The result was a set of photos with a gym and pool complex which looked ready for the customers. The balance of internal lights glowing against the cool outdoor colours at this time of year helped to portray that sense of warmth and welcome which I was intending to achieve. Also, with photography, the stronger the daylight gets, the more difficult it is to see inside so this time of day was ideal for my aims this time round.
The early morning also helped to negate the need for model releases - the centre is already open to the public and although people in the shots would help with the sense of scale and use, it sometimes complicates the image and takes away from the offering of a brand new space ready for the community, especially if it became very busy. Thanks to all the staff for being so welcoming at such an uncompromising hour!
