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11/13/2011 09:39:39 PM · #1 |
Okay, so it's been 20 years since I lived in London and a decade since my last visit..... and things will probably have changed somewhat :-) This time I will have kids in tow but I can escape for a bit of time and I plan to go without sleep for a while and get some night shooting in while the others are sleeping :-)
Looking to start a shot list for April - yeah not the best season but certainly not the worst. So what spots have you been keeping secret? Promise I will not tell apart from the millions reading this :-) |
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11/13/2011 10:03:32 PM · #2 |
Shot list? Sorry... I thought you were asking about places to go. Our family loves the british museum!!!
As far as shot lists, they took away my favorite one. No more hoardes of pigeons in trafalgar sqaure. :(
You porbably wont even see one!! |
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11/13/2011 10:41:18 PM · #3 |
| Are you looking for a list of things to shoot after the kids are in bed, or a list of things to do after dark that might be so much fun that you might not want photographic evidence? |
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11/13/2011 11:50:19 PM · #4 |
One of my favourite areas to shoot these days, is the area close to Tower Bridge (in between Tower Bridge and London Bridge) called More London. It's a rich source for street type photography and amazing architecture (depending on your interest). This is where the new London City Hall is located also and that is an excellent spot for night photography (I haven't done any night shooting there yet).
 
This is City Hall with Tower Bridge in the background (not my image, but I don't have any of mine on DPC). I've seen some awesome shots of this at night.
Also, if you like food markets (not a supermarket, a real market), then Borough Market is a must see. This is tucked away behind Southwark Cathedral. It's only open Thurs, Fri, Saturday, but it's WELL worth a visit. I just wished I had gone there when I lived in London, but then, when I lived in London, it wasn't like it is now :)
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11/14/2011 01:08:34 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
As far as shot lists, they took away my favorite one. No more hoardes of pigeons in trafalgar sqaure. :( |
Yeah... Mixed feelings about that for me but probably better to get rid of the flying rats.
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Are you looking for a list of things to shoot after the kids are in bed, or a list of things to do after dark that might be so much fun that you might not want photographic evidence? |
Since it's been 20 years since I lived there - as an adult not child..... I am too damn old and grumpy to care about the later, so looking for the former :-)
Originally posted by salmiakki:
One of my favourite areas to shoot these days, is the area close to Tower Bridge (in between Tower Bridge and London Bridge) called More London. |
Yeah Thx... It's a good thought as I have seen some great stuff from around that Shad Thames area and the other way between the bridges.... Added to the list! Nice shots.
Message edited by author 2011-11-14 01:09:51. |
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11/14/2011 08:12:57 AM · #6 |
It was about 10 years ago, and I'm not finding any trace of it now. But a guide book that I had said that Westminster Abbey had a photography night. It was on Wednesday's at the time. That the abbey was open from like 6:00-7:30, and you could photograph anything you liked. We rearranged the trip so that we could be there on photography night. It was incredibly fun!! We had a wonderful docent that gave us our own personal little tour, since he could see we were fascinated by things.
I can't see a reference to it anywhere, but even at the time, it was quite hidden and we had to search to get information. If it still exists, I'd do it -- because normally you can't take any pictures in Westminster. |
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11/14/2011 09:35:16 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Shot list? Sorry... I thought you were asking about places to go. Our family loves the british museum!!!
As far as shot lists, they took away my favorite one. No more hoardes of pigeons in trafalgar sqaure. :(
You porbably wont even see one!! |
I fed the pigeons there!
Is Piccadilly Circus still full up of punks and generally great people watching? |
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11/14/2011 09:52:23 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by blindjustice:
Is Piccadilly Circus still full up of punks and generally great people watching? |
Punks, No. Good people watching, Yes. |
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11/14/2011 04:17:02 PM · #9 |
I have to agree that the stretch of Thames between London Bridge and tower bridge ('more london', 'the scoop') is pretty good for both architecture and street photography.
Also, the South Bank offers plenty of opportunities. Two pretty bridges, grungy hip hop skateboarding area, royal accademy and weekend food market behind it, national theatre (free music and exhibitions, interesting architecture and crowd), buskers and mimes, books market, merry go round, London eye and acquarium, obviously big Ben and the rest. All in a 300 meter stretch :)
As for markets, Borough is an option, but for more variety Spitalfields and Greenwich market are even interesting and graced with interesting surroundings and good natural light on good days. For a less upmarket crowd, usual Notting hill and Camden town markets are fine too.
Spitalfields/Liverpools Street is also good for architecture and the proximity to brick lane with the artsy types and avenues, street art and urban gritty buildings/graffiti.
Canary Dwarf is good for architecture too, but there is not much apart of the financial district over there.
A good way to photograph interesting stuff while with your family is probably to get for a boat tour on the Thames, as the view is nice and keep kids busy gazing while you shoot away :) Just, don't do my mistake, avoid the normal line ferries. These are marginally cheaper but there is only a tiny outdoor area on the back, crammed with tourists, and the rest has this awful perspex windows particularly prone to glare.
Touristic ferries give a 360 degrees view, are slower and have an hop on ticket, so you can have stop overs if you like. You could get one in London Bridge and go all the way to Greenwich, I think, and there you have the market (good food on the cheap), the university area with some nice sights and painted ceilings, the park with the observatory, which gives a nice view and kids enjoy, the maritime museum. Going back to the center via train/overground or tube is 20 mins, passing through Canary Dwarf and Docklands (other shooting opportunities).
As for parks, my favorites for photographing are Holland Park (japanese garden and quite a few other spots)
, Richmond Park (great views, free-ranging deers) and Hampstead Heath (again great views of London, great playground and paddling pool for kids on the gospel oak side).
If you want something a bit off the beaten track, the Walthamstow Reservoir (Tottenham Hale station, 15 min train from Liverpool street or victoria Line) is good for birding. They charge 1 pound for the entrance, which keeps people off and the wildlife relatively undisturbed. I used to go there a lot until my 2 years old came along, they don't allow younger then 5 years old in and no strollers either. The canals nearby are quite nice as well for a walk.
Chesunt (30 mins by train from Liverpool street) gives easy access to Epping Forest. Again good for birding and a nice walk with the kids.
For fireworks there are many spots, but a pretty good one is from the top of Primrose Hill, not far from Camden town and from the London zoo, which again is not bad for kids and is good fun for photographing.
If you plan going to many attractions, such as London Eye, Acquarium, the Zoo and so on, consider that there is a 2 for 1 offer if you have a train ticket and present it with a form which can be had online. Given most of this stuff cost 15+ pound and two single train tickest (any will do if there is the british rail symbol on it, even within London) can be had for 4 pound, it saves quite a lot of money.
Sorry, I meant to write a few lines and it came out a novel :) Hope it helps.
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11/14/2011 04:28:43 PM · #10 |
Cambden is always a fun place to go if you want some interesting candid street shots!
Message edited by author 2011-11-14 16:28:55. |
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