The London photo spots actually worth the walk
The difference between a good London photograph and a bad one is almost always the hour, not the camera. Here are six that reward the walk, and the time to be standing there.
6 min readUpdated
1. Westminster Bridge, from the south end
Everyone shoots this from the north, into the sun. Walk to the St Thomas’ Hospital side instead and shoot back across. Late afternoon in summer, mid-afternoon in winter.
2. St James’s Park, the Blue Bridge
Standing on the bridge looking east, you get the London Eye and the towers of Whitehall over the water, framed by trees. Early morning, before nine, or the pelicans draw a crowd.
3. Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s
Stand in the middle of the bridge, low, so the cables lead into the dome. Blue hour is the shot. Tripods get moved on at busy times, so go early or handhold.
4. Leake Street tunnel
Constantly repainted, so it is never the same twice. Bring something to light with, phone torches are enough. Any hour, it is underground.
5. Tower Bridge from Shad Thames
The north bank view is the postcard. The one from the Butler’s Wharf side, with the warehouse walkways in frame, is the better photograph. Blue hour again.
6. Notting Hill, but not the blue door
The famous door is a private house on a busy road with a queue outside it. The pastel terraces on Lancaster Road and Portobello’s northern end are better, quieter, and photograph in morning light.
Three that are not worth it
Piccadilly Circus, which is a junction with an advertising screen. Abbey Road, which is a pedestrian crossing on a road with traffic on it and a permanent queue. And the Sky Garden at midday, when the glass throws reflections into every frame, go at sunset or not at all.