The big smoke

Another one of those magic moments.

Having spent the morning photographing Danny Finkelstein wrestling with a Corby Trouser Press and hearing anecdotes about George Osbourne, I took a walk down to Paddington basin for a late lunch.

As I approached it from the west, I spotted what was probably an incinerator at the back of St Mary's Hospital churning out smoke into the afternoon sky.

I took a few shots in bright saturated sunlight then headed east, eventually turning back on myself as my interest wained.

Coming back the light was completely different and gave me a view of not only the chimney, but also the steam and ramp running down from the hospital.

I took a few shots and just as I was about to put my camera away, the man in the hat walked down. Straight out of another 1950's 'B' movie.