The streets of London

Stephen Blaha is taking people on a trip to London. But no airline tickets are necessary, because the tour is courtesy of his photographs now on display at the Kodak Photo Gallery in Glendale.

Four years ago, Blaha returned to Glendale after living in London for five years, where he worked in e-commerce development. Three months ago he returned to London for a friend’s 40th birthday celebration, and this time, he brought along his camera.

The photographs range from landscapes of popularly photographed landmarks, but shot at unusual angles, to neighborhoods and street scenes, he said.

Familiar with the areas after having lived there, Blaha knew exactly what he wanted to capture, he said.

“London is diverse with interesting people and old architecture,” he said. “I wanted to take a little bit from everything.”

The result can be seen in his first exhibit “London/Reflections” at the Kodak Photo Gallery.

The collection has impressed Aldo Balarezo, who owns the gallery with partner Mike Lee. Both are photographers who shoot nature landscapes, Balarezo said.

“Blaha is a great photographer,” Balarezo said. “His angles and the strategy he uses to shoot his pictures are very unique and the composition of the colors makes it very outstanding.”

In his photographs, Blaha said he tried to show that there was a story going on within the picture. He also tried to capture how colorful London is, he said.

The prints are large, 20 inches by 30 inches.

“It’s almost like you are looking through a window at the city,” he said. “You’re stepping into the scene.”

Blaha’s neighbor Kathy Buckley also recently returned from a trip to London. When she saw the exhibit, it was like reliving the experience, she said.

“I walked in and I thought that I walked into London,” she said. “I was totally blown away. I could not believe the color, and the angles were so vivid, so alive. I felt I was walking down the street in London.”

Photography is a second career for Blaha, who has been earning a living at it for three years now.

While at college, Blaha pursued a double major in business administration and fine arts with an emphasis in photography, he said.

“It was immediate, a beautiful way to look at the world without a great drawing hand,” he said. “It’s a great way to step into the art world. You see what you want to see and capture it right then. That’s what I love about photography the ability to capture a moment.”

For the last three years, Blaha has been earning a living taking photographs. He takes portraits and photographs special events, like weddings, engagements, family portraits, corporate awards ceremonies and celebrity arrivals at red carpet openings of theater premieres all over Southern California.