November’s picture-of-the-month is actually two. I spent transition into November on a business trip to Las Vegas, during which I carried my trusty Canon S95, and had a little time to wander the strip and try to capture the essence of this unique city.

Las Vegas - Day ... Las Vegas - Night

Click here to view the images in the Gallery.

The challenge, of course, in a town full of tourists with cameras, is to find an image that is not obvious and over used – and which is also recognizably my style. The geometric composition of textures, shapes and sky (left) is an example of my attempt do do this. It shows the always renewed and modern angular skyline dominated by the clear blue desert sky.

Las Vegas, however, is known mostly for it’s appearance by night. There are lots of opportunities for great night photography, with bustling sidewalks, neon, and party people everywhere, but my other LV image (right) was the result of accident! While walking down the strip, with the camera set for long exposure, I inadvertently pressed the shutter and captured this fascinating impression of the movement, color and vibrancy of the experience.

So, the secret of photography? Always carry a camera, be there, …and trust to luck!