Exactly a year after my last visit I returned to the Natural History Museum this morning to see the new Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Stupidly I forgot to book in advance so it took 80 minutes of queuing to get inside the museum but it was absolutely worth it – the photos in the exhibition were simply stunning. After I’d finished I took a little time to explore the museum some more, dodging the hoards of noisy children who, like me, are on their half term holiday. The most surprising find of the day was the Cocoon in the new Darwin Centre. This amazing egg-shaped construction sits inside a modern wing and houses the museum’s archives. As you walk through you can also look through to the research laboratories and see people at work conserving the museum’s treasures. Having only seen the traditional Victorian architecture before this was an unexpected bonus.

Wow The angle in the last one is amazing The graphisms and architectural structures are great and so beautiful especially in the #1 Great DOF in the #2 The #3 is stuning All these are artworks Congrats helys · 2011-10-27: 18:29

Awesome perspectives and excellent use of aesthetical resources! A beautiful wide angle effect on first one. Superb depth of field concept at second one and marvellous balance on B&W shot! Latest two shots are stunning! Thanks for sharing! davidcardona · 2011-10-27: 18:40

What marvelous and clean shots you captured of your visit. Looks like an awesome place. Would love to visit the cocoon. I love the B&W of the fellow engrossed in his leaflet!!! Great composition. danrav · 2011-10-27: 18:45

great set thanks for sharing the cocoon shot and information on it. MoMac · 2011-10-27: 19:19

A comprehensive series Helen ... Nice pictures and perfect explain ... Thanks for sharing.The number 3 To my favs. ????? · 2011-10-27: 19:32

excellent captures! a feast for the eyes! KatysPassionata · 2011-10-27: 20:30

you're way too good at this, WoW urmysunshine · 2011-10-27: 22:50

My gosh Helen, this is absolutely splendid to say the least. maharba · 2011-10-27: 23:08

Great set:) live the candid shot! jennyLit · 2011-10-28: 00:22

Wow, you made me curious about the museum, I haven't been there, and as for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, I've seen only the winner's captures and loved them very much. =) Nellinka · 2011-10-28: 02:08

Soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the beautiful architechture in the natural history museum is almost as good as the exhibits themselves... I love it, and I still don't think that we have discovered all of it's secrets... Annbramwell · 2011-10-28: 02:16

Absolutely extraordinary All your series is magic and I love 1 and 3 josy63 · 2011-10-28: 02:35

love the set so many nice angles used and great composition slowpete · 2011-10-28: 02:50

Excellent set - it's ages since I have been to the museum but I'm going on Monday evening for an after-hours visit to the photo exhibition arranged through work. Looking forward to it. davids · 2011-10-28: 07:35

Impressive building, and excellent photographed! Melusine · 2011-10-28: 15:47

Beautiful post Helen, impressive for framing the shots of the Cocoon, but I think that #2 and #3 are really fantastic. #2 has a wonderful DoF and #3 is beautiful moment you captured. Great! iso400 · 2011-10-28: 20:58

The way you capture these places is always very special and makes we want to visit them some day. You actually advertises these places. ;o) Ryana · 2011-10-29: 04:30

Great pictures :) MsCumberdale · 2011-10-29: 15:27

What a GREAT set! I just love the photo of the fellow in b&w, as well as the shot of the bench. Thanks for sharing and glad it was worth the wait!! lukesmom · 2011-10-30: 11:33

Tagged: naturalhistorymuseum nhm architecture london