London is arguably the most photogenic city on the planet. With a perfect mix of old and new, glass and brick, bridges and green space. Mix in all that history and it goes without saying that the city is packed with photo opportunities.
But like any city, it can be good to get some recommendations on where to take your camera, regardless if you live close by and want to capture some iconic images or you’re a tourist planning to shoot some frames to make the most of your time in this remarkable city.
To help you out, we’ve shortlisted 10 locations we think you should
1 - Big Ben:
Now, fair warning, if you’re planning to visit this iconic London location, be aware that there are extensive renovations taking place so, depending on when you visit, it’s likely that there may be a fair amount of scaffolding in place. That said, there is still plenty of angles and compositions to be found and taken advantage of.
Look alternative views of Big Ben. Image by Matty Graham
2 - London Eye:
One of London’s relatively new landmarks, the now-iconic circular shape of the Eye can make for some dramatic imagery. Photographers are spoilt for angles, with some favouring being right under the eye, shooting up with an ultra-wide angle lens. Alternatively, you can head over the bridge and shoot across the Thames river for a bigger picture view. Adding an ND filter will blurr the current of the river or you can choose to setup a tripod, wait for darkness to fall and capture the Eye when it’s illuminated.
The iconic view of the London Eye. Image by Matty Graham
3 - Royal Albert Hall:
The circular brickwork of the Royal Albert Hall is an architecture photographer’s dream and presents plenty of opportunity to frame up some striking angles of this music venue. Cross over the road from the main entrance and photographer’s can take advantage of an elevated shooting position at the entrance to Hyde Park. In fact, it’s also well worth turning around and grabbing an image of the impressive Albert Memorial too.
Get the bigger picture at the Royal Albert Hall. Image by Matty Graham
4 - Oxford Circus:
Better known as the epicentre for shopping in London, head to the busy intersection after dark and you can discover cool bands rocking out for the passing crowds. Despite all the artificial illumination from shop signage and street lights, you’ll still have to watch the shutter speed doesn’t fall too low by increasing the ISO and/or using a wider aperture.
Try a spot of street photography at Oxford Circus. Image by Matty Graham
5 - Natural History Museum:
Step into the ancient walls of the Natural History Museum and you’ll be greeted by high ceilings and intricate and grand stairwells. It’s free to go in, so there’s no reason not to stop by with the camera. Check the opening hours and arrive late in the day to beat the crowds, or simply use a long exposure to blur any passers by out of the frame. That said, it’s worth leaving the big tripod at home as it’ll attract attention, just use a small Joby-style mini tripod.
Wow, what a view. Image by Matty Graham
6 - Millennium Bridge:
The Millennium Bridge offers photographers a unique chance to capture ultra modern classically-aged architecture in one perfect frame. Set up at the south end of the bridge and you’ll be able to fill the bottom half of the bridge with the sleek lines of the modern bridge, while the top half of the frame will include to iconic shape of St Paul’s Cathedral. The railings of the bridge serve as stunning leading lines towards the dome of the cathedral.
Image by James Padosley/Unsplash
7 - British Museum:
Yep, London is full of museums and the British Museum has a special photo spot that offers a unique view. A gap in the upper level wall gives a near symmetrical vantage point of the main atrium. The lines and structure of the museum roof only serve to enhance the appeal of the view and converting the file to black & white will help viewers focus on the shapes and lines in the scene.
Image by Ryan Stefan/Unspash
8 - Covent Garden:
The hustle and bustle of Covent Garden should be high up on the list for photographers. Not only can you shoot the famous street performers, but there’s also a row of classic red telephone boxes - surely the most Instagram-worthy London scene going?
Image by Nick Fewings/Unsplash
9 - The Shard:
You can’t shoot an image of London’s skyline without capture the imposing, towering feature of The Shard - the tallest building in the UK. Standing 1016ft tall, The Shard rises to a point and can be a terrific focal point to use when capturing the London skyline, with some photographers choosing to cast the Shard into silhouette. It’s also worth noting that you can go to the Sky Garden at the top of the Shard and shoot down on the city.
Image by Fred Mouniguet/Unsplash
10 - Leadenhall Market:
One of London’s lesser known photo gems, the market dates back to the 14th century, making it one of London’s oldest. Inside there are plenty of compositions to be found, including getting low down to the ground to include the cobbles as foreground interest. The light in the market can be a little on the orange side, so you may want to adjust your white balance before taking any images.
Image by Simon Rae/Unsplash
. digitalrev.com2018-7-12 03:00