Photographing London images is always a wonderful privilege. London street photography is bursting with possibilities from dawn to dusk and long into the night. We once lived in the city for a year, and spent many days wandering the famous streets, searching out the best places to photograph in London.

In this post we have chosen ten aspects of the city to photograph:

  • London underground
  • Leaden Hall Market
  • London at Night
  • London Eye
  • Red telephone boxes
  • Alexandra Palace
  • Tower Bridge
  • Lloyd’s Building
  • Canary Wharf
  • London People

Read on for more about why each topic was chosen, below.

 

London Photography | by Darrin Henry

Before we go on, you might be wondering why just ten items on our list?

Well, interesting places to photograph in London are endless. It’s actually a huge city with hundreds of attractive and curious facets. We’ve decided to attempt a simple, iconic London photography tour of just ten pictures that encapsulates the essence of Britain’s capital.

Visitors and locals will no doubt have their own favourites, which we’d be interested to hear about. Just leave us a comment at the bottom of this post.

The best city in the world is London, in my opinion. In terms of diversity of people, culture and in recent years, London architecture, it is truly vibrant. Rich history, modern attitude, energetic and it’s also quite safe, as major cities go. Great tourist attractions, British traditions, and endless things to see and do, for any photographer London has it all.

 



Photographing London – Ten Iconic Faces Of The City

Sharon and I would sometimes catch the night bus into the city centre to photograph the warmth of sunrise London as the first light reached across the roof tops. In the light of dawn London is quite a special place as it’s one of the quietest times you’ll ever find the city’s streets.

London street photography, especially, is loads of fun. For an exciting modelling photoshoot London streets are unbeatable. We’ve done fashion photoshoots on the Thames bridges, around the streets and in the parks. To view Kat C’s London Bridge pictures from our fashion photoshoot, click here.

For sure, this is an incredibly creative city where artists of every genre can find inspiration and like-minded souls to engage with and learn from.

So here we go. Ten top ideas for photographing London that captures a sense of the city’s amazing spirit.

 

London underground

Baker Street underground station with its distinctive tiled light cavities above the platform.

 

London underground photography is one of my favourite things to do in the city, there is so much choice. Every type of personality seems to exist somewhere along the underground network, or the Tube as it’s affectionately known, at all times of the day and night.

I love how every station is different, each with its own story or special features. ‘Mind the Gap’ must be the most famous safety announcement in the world.

The steep escalators, talented buskers and rush of heated air as a train shoots out of the tunnels. And everyone sneaking peeks at the other characters in the carriage, trying not to get caught. The energetic commuters who walk up the escalators while the rest of us stand obediently on the right as instructed.

On different visits to London we’ve actually enjoyed ‘photography days’ travelling from station to station, exploring and taking pictures. No, it’s not sad at all.

Photographing the London Underground network is one of my favourite things to do in the city.

Quick London Underground facts:

  • The London Underground first opened in 1863, with steam engines filling the tunnels with smoke.
  • The first electric line started in 1890.
  • The famous roundel symbol appeared in 1908 and the term ‘underground’ first appeared on signage.
  • Tube stations became air raid shelters during the second world war.
  • In 2003 the Oyster card was introduced and busking became legal.
  • One billion people were carried in a year for the first time in 2007.

 

First time in London? Consider this awesome 2 day itinerary.

 

Leadenhall Market

Leaden Hall Market, London, beautifully photogenic from any angle.

 

Leadenhall Market history dates back to the 14th century. It’s a Victorian building whose profile got an unexpected boost in more recent times, and is now just as, if not more famous as Diagon Alley London because of its appearance in a few of the Harry Potter films.

Leadenhall is a beautifully ornate, covered market, one of the oldest City of  London markets and quite lovely to photograph. It sits on the site of what was once the centre of Roman London. The name is believed to come from the original lead roof (leaden hall).

The old market hall can be found in the heart of the City of London financial district, accessed via Gracechurch Street, Whittington Avenue and Lime Street.

Today inside, you will find Leadenhall Market restaurants alongside boutique retailers, cafes, wine bars and an award-winning pub..

 

Photographing London at Night

London at night has photographic opportunities everywhere. Caught this red bus stopped at traffic lights in Hammersmith.

 

Photographing London at night is a photography experience not to be missed. The central square mile of the city especially, makes a spectacular London night out with the camera, a playground of possibilities for photographers.

Some of the best London photography spots after dark are found all along the banks of the River Thames. You will find access to superb nightscapes and a multitude of bridges providing useful reference and vantage points.

The sweet spot for light is, of course, that transition from dusk to dark when the luminance values are all balanced.

Even outside of the central area, look out for the red London night buses which are perfect for adding context to your shots.

My top tip for shooting a London night bus is to wait near traffic lights for one to stop. If you choose a good spot to shoot from you can include other traffic light trails in the same shot.

 



London Eye

London Eye illuminated at night.

 

For most of us, the London Eye is basically a big Ferris wheel, yet it has become the UK’s most popular, paid tourist attraction since it started spinning on 9 March, 2000.

I should point out, technically, the London Eye is not a Ferris wheel, it’s a cantilevered observation wheel.

More than 3.5 million people take the 30 min ride every year in the 32 capsules that cling to the large wheel. Fully loaded, the London Eye can carry 800 people at a time.

Photographing the London Eye is another must-do, no matter how touristy it may seem. Of course, you can always bring some creativity to the shot – long exposures, night pictures, unusual angles etc.

My own preference is at night, when the wheel and nearby buildings are illuminated with different coloured lights.

 

Red telephone boxes

We’ve made use of London’s red telephone boxes on more than one occasion for model photo shoots on the street, as here with the lovely Kirsten.

 

Britain’s iconic red telephone boxes are slowly being removed from around the country, including the streets of London. Mobile phone technology is rendering this piece of historic architecture, redundant.

If you haven’t photographed the red telephone box already, get a move on. They are fast becoming collectors’ items.

The first of these K2 telephone boxes, (Kiosk 2) appeared in London in 1926. They were designed exclusively for the nation’s capital city by architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Over the next decade 1,700 more followed.

The smaller, K6 telephone boxes were installed elsewhere around the country.

 



Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace in north London, often just called Ally Pally by the locals.

 

Alexandra Palace is a little off the beaten touristy path, but it’s never-the-less an important feature on the London and British landscape.

Known as the ‘People’s Palace,’ or Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace in north London sits atop a hilltop with superb views of the city skyline.

The grand looking building was opened in 1873 but has, since that time, been destroyed twice by fires and subsequently rebuilt.

In 1900 Parliament declared the Palace and Park should be made “available for the free use and recreation of the public forever.”

The BBC used part of Alexandra Palace to broadcast the first public television transmissions in 1936. It is still often referred to as the birthplace of television.

Today the leisure facilities are popular for corporate and private events. They include an ice rink, bar and kitchen, large event halls, a boating lake, animal enclosure and conservation area.

We once did a photo shoot at the Ally Pally ice rink with an Olympic figure skater. Click Here to view the shoot.

And we’ve also spent a week living in the area, walking each day in the beautiful grounds of the Palace. So we can vouch for it as a superb London location for a photography visit.

 

Tower Bridge

Girl with a Dolphin sculpture at Tower Bridge, London, early in the morning.

 

In an iconic city full of iconic imagery, Tower Bridge is one of the most symbolic London landmarks. Unsurprisingly, many people often (mistakenly) refer to it as London Bridge.

Tower Bridge is a beautiful structure that poses gracefully to have its picture taken from all angles and at all times of the day. I love that Tower Bridge, like much of London, remains freely and easily accessible to pedestrians.

If you plan to photograph Tower Bridge at dawn, midday or dusk, chances are you’ll find other photographers nearby, all drawn to capture this famous structure.

Tower Bridge facts:

  • Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894.
  • The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) long, the two towers are each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers.
  • The 200 feet (61 m) between the towers are two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to allow river traffic to pass.
  • Each leaf, or bascule, weighs over 1,000 tons and are counterbalanced allowing them to be easily raised in five minutes.
  • Tower Bridge takes its name from the nearby Tower of London.
  • Each day approximately 40,000 people cross Tower Bridge.
  • The bascules are raised for river traffic approximately 1,000 times a year.

 

Lloyd’s Building

Lloyd’s Building, London, opened in 1986 and awarded Grade 1 listed status in 2011.

 

The Lloyd’s Building in London is now held up as an example of modern architectural excellence, but the reaction when it was first unveiled in 1986 was not so kind.

Architect, Richard Rogers’ design placed the staircases, lifts and pipes on the outside of the building, with a very industrial, metallic look, completely at odds with the Victorian style of Leaden Hall Market, right next door.

But over the three plus decades since, as the London skyline has accommodated a Gherkin, a Walkie Talkie and a Shard, the Lloyd’s Building now seems more of a trend-setter to be admired.

In 2011, 25 years after opening, the Lloyd’s Building received Grade 1 listing, the youngest building ever to do so. It has also appeared in a long list of films already, including Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Mamma Mia (2008) and The Avengers (1998).

Photographing the Lloyd’s Building is a bit of a challenge because of the narrow access streets and limited vantage points. You don’t get a clear shot at street level, like many of the other buildings. Photographers are always craning upwards and having to deal with converging lines.

Even so, if you take your time and scout all the angles it is possible to capture some super images, especially when the light catches those metallic surfaces at the right time of day.

 

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf financial district of London is where you’ll find the skyscrapers.

 

Canary Wharf financial district is a relatively new addition to London, although the area itself has a long history.

Located in the east end of the city, this was previously important docklands where vital sea trading business flowed through England. Larger ships and the change to containerisation requiring deeper sea ports, led to a reduction in trade until eventually, by 1980, all of the major east end docks had closed.

The London Docklands Development Corporation, established by the British government, undertook a major regeneration project in the early 80s.

In addition to luxury housing, the Canary Wharf development created a major financial hub with the pointed skyscraper, One Canada Square, as an impressive centre-piece.

Over three decades the area has evolved with an extensive range of leisure and recreation facilities, green spaces, business and residential development. It’s also a rather calm environment, in comparison with central London, due to a lack of major roads and Canary Wharf operating its own public transport system.

Photographing Canary Wharf is a great day out for photographers. The architecture is modern and interesting to point a camera at. Many of the network of walkways criss-cross waterways and allow plenty of creative opportunities for obtaining cool pictures. A great vantage place to shoot the skyscraper cityscape from is Greenwich Park.

Don’t be surprised if a security guard appears to check what you’re up to around the buildings. But I’ve found they’ve always been curious rather than obstructive and after making sure you’re genuinely a photography enthusiast, they’ve always left us alone.

 

 



Photographing London People

London people – Esther and Oge, who we met strolling along the River Thames on their day off.

 

Finally, this list must include London people who give the city its energy and character. Stand still in London and sooner or later you’ll hear every language of the world from those walking by.

Coming from a small island we always marvel at the sheer volume of people, the weird and wonderful fashions and the ethnic diversity of the faces. It’s all there.

Photographing people – strangers – is quite a challenge for many people, but it’s also an exciting thing to do as a photographer. It may surprise you to know, most people, once they realise you aren’t trying to sell them something, are usually happy to talk. Often in different countries we will just walk up to people with a voice recorder and ask them if they wouldn’t mind telling us about why they are visiting the city. And, could we take their picture. Nine times out of ten, people say yes.

Click here to read one of our London street interviews.

So that’s the final photographing London challenge, capturing the people. Even if you are photographing the street entertainers, try to capture some element of people. Of course, if you do then don’t forget to drop some money into the collection hat.

 

What do you recommend?

That’s our choice for photographing London and capturing the flavour of the city in 10 images. What’s yours? Have you been to London? Tell us which of your pictures sums up the spirit of London for you.

 

Interested in improving your street photography?

Click Here to view our useful tips on how to shoot great street photography.