London photography outing - suggestions
Discussion
My two sons and I are keen amateurs and are always looking for something new to try out our modest skills.
All three of us have a few days off in a couple of weeks and we're looking for new stuff to try. All three of us like motorsport, airshows, landscapes and architecture. We're thinking of three cheap train tickets from the Midlands to London to try our hand at some architecture stuff, and maybe even some people-snapping if we're feeling brave. Yes, we could probably do the same in Birmingham, but I fancy going somewhere different to our usual haunts (plus the fact that the rivers in Birmingham aren't particularly photogenic, although the canals sometimes can be...)
However, I don't want to fall into the cliché'd touristy stuff like the Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Nelson's column and Buck House. So, I'm after some suggestions and ideas for something just a little bit different from those that have done it before.
Bear in mind that we'll be on foot and trying to keep it relatively inexpensive, so everything needs to be within a reasonable walking distance of a tube station.
Also - we all have decent FF kit, although I don't want to be lugging it all around the capital if I can help it, so any suggestion on what to carry would also be welcome. My first thoughts are a mid-range zoom (28-300) on the body and an ultra-wide 16-35 in a small bag.
Finally - for three Midlanders, are there any places that we should avoid, especially when you consider we'll be carrying a few quid's worth of kit?
All three of us have a few days off in a couple of weeks and we're looking for new stuff to try. All three of us like motorsport, airshows, landscapes and architecture. We're thinking of three cheap train tickets from the Midlands to London to try our hand at some architecture stuff, and maybe even some people-snapping if we're feeling brave. Yes, we could probably do the same in Birmingham, but I fancy going somewhere different to our usual haunts (plus the fact that the rivers in Birmingham aren't particularly photogenic, although the canals sometimes can be...)
However, I don't want to fall into the cliché'd touristy stuff like the Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Nelson's column and Buck House. So, I'm after some suggestions and ideas for something just a little bit different from those that have done it before.
Bear in mind that we'll be on foot and trying to keep it relatively inexpensive, so everything needs to be within a reasonable walking distance of a tube station.
Also - we all have decent FF kit, although I don't want to be lugging it all around the capital if I can help it, so any suggestion on what to carry would also be welcome. My first thoughts are a mid-range zoom (28-300) on the body and an ultra-wide 16-35 in a small bag.
Finally - for three Midlanders, are there any places that we should avoid, especially when you consider we'll be carrying a few quid's worth of kit?
Off the top of my head...
- South Bank at night time
- Tate Modern for people snapping/watching
- Greenwich Park
- Sky Garden (need to book in advance)
- St Pancras Station
- Borough Market (excellent for breakfast/lunch/dinner too!)
- Kings Cross Station
- St Paul's Cathedral at night time
- Portabello Road & Notting Hill
- St Dunstan In The East (a bombed out church that has been converted into a small garden in the ruins)
Have fun and post some pics up!
- South Bank at night time
- Tate Modern for people snapping/watching
- Greenwich Park
- Sky Garden (need to book in advance)
- St Pancras Station
- Borough Market (excellent for breakfast/lunch/dinner too!)
- Kings Cross Station
- St Paul's Cathedral at night time
- Portabello Road & Notting Hill
- St Dunstan In The East (a bombed out church that has been converted into a small garden in the ruins)
Have fun and post some pics up!
Edited by djsmith74 on Thursday 20th April 12:48
Don't knock the "clichés" though.
I enjoyed a Street Photography Course with a group last year (co-hosted by Damien Demolder) and learnt a lot. https://flickr.com/photos/30739877@N02/sets/721576...
But you've got plenty of good suggestions. Borough market could be a really good place.
Also there are a few places to go up. Usually expensive, but get to the top of One New Change and the bar there (off peak times) and you're up level with the dome of St Paul's...
Daytime, I wouldn't be especially worried above the usual sort of care with your kit and who you are obstructing. Perhaps after dark just take some extra care.
Tripods will attract interest from jobsworths in Ye Olde Wharfe of Ye Canaries, Square du Trafalgar and odd places like the land around 30 St Mary Axe (The "Gherkin"), but gor most street photography you're probably best off hand-held (or even shooting from the hip) normal to wide and up close!
I enjoyed a Street Photography Course with a group last year (co-hosted by Damien Demolder) and learnt a lot. https://flickr.com/photos/30739877@N02/sets/721576...
But you've got plenty of good suggestions. Borough market could be a really good place.
Also there are a few places to go up. Usually expensive, but get to the top of One New Change and the bar there (off peak times) and you're up level with the dome of St Paul's...
Daytime, I wouldn't be especially worried above the usual sort of care with your kit and who you are obstructing. Perhaps after dark just take some extra care.
Tripods will attract interest from jobsworths in Ye Olde Wharfe of Ye Canaries, Square du Trafalgar and odd places like the land around 30 St Mary Axe (The "Gherkin"), but gor most street photography you're probably best off hand-held (or even shooting from the hip) normal to wide and up close!
If you want a reasonably high vantage point, that is free, I recommend the new viewing deck at the Tate Modern:
http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/viewing-l...
It does get busy, queuing for the lifts, and may be recommended to go from ground level. We tried joining from part way up after taking the bridge over the turbine hall and the majority of lifts seemed to bypass this level.
It's not too far to walk along the South Bank to Borough Market from here, but I found it far too busy in the afternoon for photography there.
Oh, almost forgot - Millennium Bridge from St Paul's to Tate Modern is also quite photogenic.
http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/viewing-l...
It does get busy, queuing for the lifts, and may be recommended to go from ground level. We tried joining from part way up after taking the bridge over the turbine hall and the majority of lifts seemed to bypass this level.
It's not too far to walk along the South Bank to Borough Market from here, but I found it far too busy in the afternoon for photography there.
Oh, almost forgot - Millennium Bridge from St Paul's to Tate Modern is also quite photogenic.
Edited by z06tim on Friday 21st April 07:22
Thanks for all the suggestions so far - all will be considered (apart from 'Brickistan' - sound like a bit of useful local knowledge - care to expand?)
I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
Nigel_O said:
Thanks for all the suggestions so far - all will be considered (apart from 'Brickistan' - sound like a bit of useful local knowledge - care to expand?)
I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
Brick lane isn't that dodgy.I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
Lots of very good street art around there , so if you want safety book onto one of the grafiti walking tours.
egor110 said:
Nigel_O said:
Thanks for all the suggestions so far - all will be considered (apart from 'Brickistan' - sound like a bit of useful local knowledge - care to expand?)
I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
Brick lane isn't that dodgy.I'm pretty conscious of the fact that we'll look and sound like three "out-of-towners", so we'll be rich pickings for the less salubrious side of London, but we'll take extra care. We'll be arriving by 8:00am and leaving by 8:00pm, so won't be around after dark. We probably won't be exploring dark alleys and murky tunnels - I expect we'll be sticking to the streets.
Keep the suggestions coming....
Lots of very good street art around there , so if you want safety book onto one of the grafiti walking tours.
aDSC_0240 by northernladgonesouth, on Flickr
aDSC_0230 by northernladgonesouth, on Flickr
aDSC_0227 by northernladgonesouth, on FlickrIt's an interesting place with a good contrast of old and new buildings, slightly off the beaten tourist track (but not anywhere near enough that 3 blokes with cameras will stand out!) and there's usually something interesting going on somewhere.
People do photography workshops there ffs http://julietlemon.com/blog/index.php/workshop-urb...
eta...looking at my photos I should maybe book myself on one!
OGR4M said:
Careful, "exercise" is a four-letter-word when my father is around...
Damn right too - why expend valuable energy when you can get a cab? The internal combustion engine was invented to make our lives easier and it would be rude not to take advantage. If you think otherwise, I'd suggest you're on the wrong forum..... 
Anyway, get back to work.....
Right - the three of us are on the slow train from the Midlands tomorrow morning - arriving at 10:30am. We'll probably concentrate on buildings / bridges, architecture and a few people shots in some places. A fair bit of prior planning has gone into a rather ambitious itinerary, which looks something like:-
Bank of England
Gherkin
Lloyds of London
Sky Garden
Shard
Secret location that I've managed to arrange as a bit of a treat for the two lads
St Paul's
Millennium Bridge
HMS Belfast (from the north bank)
Tower Bridge
Canary Wharf
O2 (from the north bank at East India wharf)
Oxford Circus
St Pancras / Kings Cross
Back to Euston for a 20:30 departure for a 22:30 arrival at home
Several of the above may fall by the wayside, depending on how long we spend at each location.
Although I said I wanted to stay away from the clichéd areas, that's what we've ended up going for. Depending on the weather, we might just hop on a river cruise and get a few of the sights from the water
I'll see if I can get a few shots posted later in the week
Bank of England
Gherkin
Lloyds of London
Sky Garden
Shard
Secret location that I've managed to arrange as a bit of a treat for the two lads
St Paul's
Millennium Bridge
HMS Belfast (from the north bank)
Tower Bridge
Canary Wharf
O2 (from the north bank at East India wharf)
Oxford Circus
St Pancras / Kings Cross
Back to Euston for a 20:30 departure for a 22:30 arrival at home
Several of the above may fall by the wayside, depending on how long we spend at each location.
Although I said I wanted to stay away from the clichéd areas, that's what we've ended up going for. Depending on the weather, we might just hop on a river cruise and get a few of the sights from the water
I'll see if I can get a few shots posted later in the week
If you're doing Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, I'd be tempted to walk from from tower bridge to c wharf via St Katherine Docks, along Wapping High Street, then take the Thames Path from the East side of Wapping through Limehouse and onto Canary Wharf.
You'll get good views of Canary Wharf from the river and the cobbled streets plus pubs like the Town of Ramsgate, Prospect of Whitby and The Grapes.
ETA: The Brick Lane comments from Brian are utter nonsense...
You'll get good views of Canary Wharf from the river and the cobbled streets plus pubs like the Town of Ramsgate, Prospect of Whitby and The Grapes.
ETA: The Brick Lane comments from Brian are utter nonsense...
Edited by NickXX on Monday 1st May 22:15
My better half has been eying up a togging trip to the big smoke. The queens house in Greenwich for the Tulip staircase (google it), Camden market for candid, whilst there try a canal walk to London zoo, pop on a zoom lens for creative stuff with the animals. At least that's what I think she said 
post the pics please.
post the pics please.bigmowley said:
My better half has been eying up a togging trip to the big smoke. The queens house in Greenwich for the Tulip staircase (google it),
If interested in the Tulip staircase, also may be worth calling in to Heals department store on Tottenham Court Road for the Brewer Staircase (taken on my iPhone6):
Untitled by conradsphotos, on FlickrGassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff