London - Where to Shoot?

J

jpwild

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I've finally decided to break free of the Manchester area and get a train to London for a day's photo day in London. I will get an early train from Manchester and leave london around 6 in the evening.

I would like some advice on where to shoot in London. I would like to shoot the beauty it has to offer of the buildings, but I want to try and shoot every day life in some way as well.

I don't want to shoot on private land, nor do I want the police attention so places like Big Ben, and government offices I assume would not be a good idea with a tripod? I only have a 450D so it's not a huge camera.

I would love to photograph the MI6 building. I feel that's a great building visually, but I get a hint that I would get a lot of attention :eek: via security.
I also would try and stay in the main centre of London.

I would also like to know about using tripods in London and if that's okay? I will be carrying mine on my Lowepro rucksack and I assume that's okay and would not get unwanted attention.

Obviously, I would need options if I turned up in London and was raining so don't know about indoor or sheltered area.

Thanks for help. I am very excited at the thought of this day.
 
Jon why not ask for London members to join you, that way you meet other members and get a free guided tour....:lol::thumbs:
 
You may get attention if you use a tripod, but you may get a way with it.

So you have a monopod? A bean bag could also be useful.

There is so much to see in London that I'd be tempted to concentrate on a smallish area.

Trafalgar Square - Parliament Square(via St James's Park) - Westminster Bridge, - along the South Bank past the Eye(good place for performers, but there may be few at this time of year) towards - Waterloo Bridge(excellcent views in both directions), acroos - Waterloo Bridge and into Covent Garden (performers again, possibly, but loads of people).

If you want a good reasonably priced place to eat, try The Bistro in Southampton Street, just off Covent Garden.

Just a suggestion and there are loads of other places too.

Dave
 
I think I will go with tripod as I'd like to do long exposures. If I get any problems I'll just be polite - they're just doing their job at end of the day.

I quite like idea of parliament square. Of course, I would probably go hand held for there, but looks interesting to photograph.

Westminster not to far aswell from Euston, so that's good!...What about Trafalgar Square and the National Museum? Are those generally okay places to take images?
 
Southbank is great. Oxo Tower and Gabriels Wharf is a good area as you get view back along towards St Pauls from the piers that jut out into the River.

Camden Markets are good for people watching, but be careful of getting your camera in the face of a punk, some won't like it!

Greewich is an interesting place, with the Observatory, Park and Markets. Not sure if they are open over the Christmas period though. The Cutty Sark may be back too, but once again, you'd want to check beforehand.

Have fun!
 
Forgot to add, the West End is lit up with Christmas lights right now. Regent and Oxford Streets. Think Carnaby St is too. If you can handle the crowds, it may be worth a look.
 
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If it raining heavy all day maybe head for a museum like the British museum or St Pauls cathedral with a high view or an art gallery Like the National at Trafalgar or the Tate on the Thames, another high view from its balcony…there are many underground areas but they are mostly full of shops and cafes, which can work …the Trocadero centre at Piccadilly is quite a good one, its large with a funky design.
 
I miss London, especially at this time of the year :'(
 
If you are heading towards the South Bank, the area around Southwark Cathedral and Borough market is worth having a look round as well.

Neil
 
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