Edinburgh

P

Philtography

Suspended / Banned
Messages
22
Name
Phil
Edit My Images
No
Hi guys

I'm going to Edinburgh shortly for 3 days. I've never been before and would really like some advice on a few ideas to make the most of photographic opportunities whilst there.

Anyone got any recommendations for the following?
Good locations to shoot the skyline
Points of interest

I want to get some good night time shots to try and capture the essence of the city. I'm not in to any particular type of photography I like anything and everything so will be shooting away like there's no tomorrow...

Ill be taking my 17-50mm f2.8 so hopefully this will suffice for most things.

Any general hints or tips you may be able to offer would be great.

Thanks :)
 
You'll be spoiled for choice, Edinburgh is such a photogenic city! For a view over the skyline I'd suggest Calton Hill which is to the east of the city centre.

As for points of interest - where to start?

There's the Castle, The Old Town, Princess Street, The Scott Monument, lots of lovely old buildings, the Scottish Parliament Building which is new and not so lovely (IMHO), Greyfriars Kirk. And they are all within walking distance from the city centre.

One thing to remember - at this time of the year in Scotland the sun is quite low and while it gives some dramatic lighting you may find yourself shooting into it.

Hope you have an enjoyable time here and the weather's kind.
 
Any general hints or tips you may be able to offer would be great.

Lunch at Brown's..131-133 George Street Edinburgh EH2 4JS # 0131 225 4442...
get in before 12o/clock ...very busy .:lol:

Princes St is torn up for the tram line build, otherwise all as above
 
Thanks for the location tips. Hopefully the weather holds out, I have heard its cold, wet and windy... Ill bear in mind the low sun too! Was hoping to get some dramatic shots with the low sun.

And thanks for the lunch recommendation, Ill book it on Monday :)

Ill put some of the pictures on here on my return. Hopefully my girlfriend won't use the same old line... "whenever we go away your always messing with that bloody camera"...
 
Philtography said:
Thanks for the location tips. Hopefully the weather holds out, I have heard its cold, wet and windy... Ill bear in mind the low sun too! Was hoping to get some dramatic shots with the low sun.

And thanks for the lunch recommendation, Ill book it on Monday :)

Ill put some of the pictures on here on my return. Hopefully my girlfriend won't use the same old line... "whenever we go away your always messing with that bloody camera"...
Click to expand...

Don't worry about the girlfriend, there are plenty of shops to distract her while you get on with the important stuff ;)
 
Philtography said:
Hopefully my girlfriend won't use the same old line... "whenever we go away your always messing with that bloody camera"...
Click to expand...

get yourself a new girlfriend, can you imagine what it would be like if you married the girl.......... :nuts:

:lol::lol::lol:
 
Get the missus to stand in the queue for the tickets to get into the Castle, that's what I did ;)
 
Haha the shop distraction trick usually works!

I like the idea of her getting the tickets though, good idea!
 
Take one of the open top bus tours round edinburgh (wrap up well) and you will see loads of photo opportunities. Well worth the hour and a bit. Buses leave from around Waverly Station.
 
Yardbent said:
Princes St is torn up for the tram line build, otherwise all as above
Click to expand...

Trams works have ceased for the festive period so you can actually walk along Princes Street with out wanting to kill some one for walking into you :D
 
:plusone: For Calton Hill. Fantastic views, and go up the tower.
The open bus tours are very good and jump on jump off too, so if you see anything you fancy shooting just jump off the bus and go for it.
 
Another vote for Calton hill for the city view.

The open rooftop of Camera obscura also provides some good views.
 
For a night time shot & assuming your using a tripod one of my favourite places is at the top of Jacobs Ladder, You can park the car right at the top of the steps in the evening, A set of steps leading from Regent Road down to Calton Road. Jacobs Ladder is approx 50yds east of Old St Andrews House on the Regent Road (same side). The view gives you most of the old town, Top (and some of the interior of Waverley Train station, The North Bridge, North Bridge the Old Scotsman building, rear of the High Street, Bank of Scotland HQ Edinburgh Castle and if conditions are right you might you might get the roofline of the Caledonian Hotel at the West End in your shot. A similar shot Click Here to this taken a while ago, Im sure you could do better.

If you feel fit then a walk up Salisbury Crags from Holyrood Palace end will get you some good Skyline shots as will the top of Calton Hill. A short walk around the top of the Calton Hill will give you some stunning view north over the city and out to the Firth of Forth. Walk to the front of the Observatory will give you views over Princes street and beyond. That view probably spoiled by tramworks on Princes St.I can't remember if you can still park the car up on top of the hill, free or if theres a chjarge, it has been a few years since I was last up.

A walk down the Royal Mile can give you some interesting shots of the closes and vennels and lots of tourists. You don't say which part of the city your staying and three days won't be enough to photograph it all :-) Standing at the east side of the Art galleries on Princes Street can give you some good shots over Princes Street Gdns and Scott Monument if there is anything going on of interest.There is a nice wall there with a flat top, handy if you don't have a tripod.

Standing in Spittal Street near the foot of Johnstone Terrace gives you a dramatic view of Edinburgh Castle, far better view than the one shown from Princes Street to tourists IMO LIke this and if your lucky with the setting sun it can turn the whole cliff face red, Each time I've seen it red I've been working and never had the camera...typical. Another dramatic view of the castle is in the Grassmarket, standing at the foot of the Vennel steps just before the West Port, look upwards and you get a great shot there, if your at the Vennel Steps then the sun will be behind you. A few suggestions for you.

As always doing night time work be aware of your surroundings and who is about.
 
As has been mentioned many times; Calton Hill. Especailly at dusk. And the sun sets so quickly this time of year, you can even wait and get some night shots too.
Be sure to dress warm though, it gets awfully windy on the side of the hill that you can see Old Town from.

Be sure to check out many of the close's and wynds off the Royal Mile too. Depending on the weather, you can get some lovely shots down/through the Close's, out toward the Firth of Forth (north).

Most of Princes St has been cleaned up from the tram works now for the Christmas season, and the Christmas fair/ German Markets are on in East Princes St Gardens; some wonderful opportunities for night-time tripod shots there.

Dont forget the 'bottom' of the mile either, that would be west of North/ South Bridge. It's the less travelled end, but there are some good shots to be had there too.

If we are 'lucky' enough to have some snow around the time you are up here, get out into Greyfriars Kirkyard early in the morning before it gets walked on. Its gorgeous snow covered!

Not sure what time it is open until at this time of the year, but the Scott Monument in Princes St Gardens (East) gives you a very high point, from pretty much in the city centre (costs about 3 quid to climb the 250+ steps to the top ;) as long as your fit enough, and not scared of heights or claustrophobic!)
 
This is interesting reading, I'm supposed to be moving to Edinburgh next year, been twice before. There's some very interesting buildings down by The Shore in Leith and Leith docks in general that I don't think has been mentioned. The Granary is a pretty good place to eat if you're down that way too.
 
POAH said:
photograph a scotsman if you happen to find one lol
Click to expand...

Chance would be a fine thing :lol:

some intersting bits around Leith, not sure Id be wandering anywhere near the banana flats after dark, or before dark tbh.
 
Tioc said:
Chance would be a fine thing :lol:

some intersting bits around Leith, not sure Id be wandering anywhere near the banana flats after dark, or before dark tbh.
Click to expand...

I live near ocean terminal so know leith and the waterfront like the back of my hand.
If the OP and anyone else for that matter wants to know the best and safest places to go (especially at night) feel free to ask and I can let you know.
There's a few shots in my Flickr account of in and around the waterfront for those interested.
 
Winter market opened last weekend in princes St gardens, good place for people pics and will keep the missus busy, try to go during week as it'll be crazy at the weekend.
 
stupar said:
I live near ocean terminal so know leith and the waterfront like the back of my hand.
If the OP and anyone else for that matter wants to know the best and safest places to go (especially at night) feel free to ask and I can let you know.
There's a few shots in my Flickr account of in and around the waterfront for those interested.
Click to expand...

I moved away a few years ago now, so not up to date with the area, great place top live especially Nobels and the port being so close to each other, less distance to stagger between the two :gag:
 
Calton Hill for views of the city - Only issue might be the weather :)
 
Charlatan said:
Careful on Calton hill in the evening. It is a known spot for rent boys and yobs although they council are trying in vain to stop this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3144107.stm

Thats is not to say you cannot go up, it is just safer by day.
Click to expand...
Not sure what an obviously slightly disturbed man "loving" a traffic cone has to do with rent boys?

This story serves more to highlight that there are nutters in edi, as everywhere, and reading between the lines he approached the boy-racers who congregate at the top of Regent Road as opposed to anyone on Calton Hill. That said, I'd still avoid after dusk, unless its for Beltane, which will likely have been banned by now ;)
 
I was up there this weekend just gone and it was a little chilly to say the least woke up sunday morning to a covering of snow. Not much time for photos of anything other than snaps really as we were with freinds who enjoyed spending time in the bars and pubs. But there are few buildings lit up on George street the dome was one of them that were quite nice.

And the other advice avoid the travellodge next to jessops and a few doors from jacobs its the worst place I have ever stayed.
 
ronnus said:
Not sure what an obviously slightly disturbed man "loving" a traffic cone has to do with rent boys?

This story serves more to highlight that there are nutters in edi, as everywhere, and reading between the lines he approached the boy-racers who congregate at the top of Regent Road as opposed to anyone on Calton Hill. That said, I'd still avoid after dusk, unless its for Beltane, which will likely have been banned by now ;)
Click to expand...

It was only highlighting an extreme example. I designed a theoretical building to be situated upon Calton Hill last year as part of my honours year and spent many evening through on the site. I can assue you it is the haunt of many less desirables.

When there is an event as you say it is wonderful up there but until more lighting and more public activity happens on Calton at night, it remains a place to approach with caution.
 
Charlatan said:
It was only highlighting an extreme example. I designed a theoretical building to be situated upon Calton Hill last year as part of my honours year and spent many evening through on the site. I can assue you it is the haunt of many less desirables.

When there is an event as you say it is wonderful up there but until more lighting and more public activity happens on Calton at night, it remains a place to approach with caution.
Click to expand...

Its been one of the dodgier parts of the city centre for years, every town has those bits.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top