London at night

[DarrenT]

I am going hit London very late on Sunday evening as i have to stay awake to get ready for my night shifts. I have taken a few shots of tower bridge before but this time i'll be able to take as long as i like. I'll also want to try and get a few snaps of other buildings in the london area with obvious choices being big ben, the millenium wheel etc.

does anyone have any other neat spots that i could visit?

[Sime]

Hey Darren, We've been a few places, but happy to hook up for some shooting if you fancy it?

here, here and here

Let me know what you think about a meet up....

Sime

[DarrenT]

some really nice shots in there Sime! and just a few hundred yards from my workplace (10 Fleet Place, i only mention it because its quite an interesting building compared to the rest in the area as it has a black exoskeleton)

I had definatly planned to go onto the millenium bridge and shoot tower bridge, but turning toward st pauls never crossed my mind! incredible considering i work so close.

i was also thinking about a big ben reflection shot like you have there so it'll be nice to see what i can achieve.

It would be great to hook up for a shoot even if i just pick your brains all night! The problem i have at the moment is that i am really self concious, now just behind a camera but genrealy, thats half the reason i want to hit london at night on sunday because it'll be deserted! Let me get a few weeks of active shoots to get used to the camera and my lenses a bit more and i'd love to meet up.

[Sime]

D, no worries - and no need to be self concious, i'm right up for meeting up... we could even just grab a coffee, there is a cafe under the BFI on southbank, we could grab a coffee and then go take some shots... If you like... anyways, when you'd like to, drop me a mail simon@gtvone.com or, pm me on here..

Look forward to it.

Sime

[DarrenT]

Originally Posted by Sime™

no need to be self concious,

its something i have had since i can remember, its getting better slowly but surely.

[Sime]

Me too... I am the sort of person that will take some photos and won't show anyone until after i've seen them on a computer and weeded out the terrible ones! [most of them!] ...i'm getting better, and with shooting every day in the threesixtyfive i've gained more confidence. [and a lot of handy tips from my fellow threesixtyfivers] ..so, we can be self concious and take some photos together

[Agata]

St. Paul's and the Millenium bridge are great sights but is the Cathedral still under renovation?

What about the London Eye, Leicester Sq. and Trafalgar Sq? The whole area is full of interesting places... The whole walk between Embankment and Waterloo is pretty cool too.

[DarrenT]

from what i remember bits of it are, whether those bits are visable from the millenium bridge i dont know. i'll have a look during my lunch hour today

I also managed to get my Fiancee to agree to come along with me one night to help spot nice places. She knows london and its sights far better than i do, plus she has a very artistic eye.

[DarrenT]

well i went on my journey into london this evening and here is one of the results. I have to point out that this evening i learnt several valuable lessons.

1) take lots and lots of pictures. i didnt and will make a point to next time
2) you need thighs of steel, trying to set up a shot wile both legs are half bent makes you appreciate just how effective lactic acid really is.
3) Big Ben and his lights DO get turned off. Dont go to london at midnight expecting them to still be on, you will only be disapointed
4) gale force winds are not conducive to long exposures. my shots of St Pauls and Tower bridge were ruined somewhat by the wind nearly blowing me over, let alone my tripod.
5) shooting at night is fun
6) despite being 01:00 in the middle of winter, londons sky isnt black.



F2.8, 42mm, iso100, 3 secs.
this is the original image just scaled down, i do have a nef version here too but i dont really know what i could do with it. its not something i have seen anyone else take (though i am sure many have) so i was quite excited that i am starting to see a little more creativly and look for different angles and approaches.

next time out (hopefully sooner rather than later) i'll go a bit earlier to catch the lights of BigBen and so on, i'll take hundreds of images instead of just a few dozen, i'll rest during the day before i go out, because humping furniture around all day really didnt help my legs and back!

[ike]

Darren -

I love that photo, the blue pops out making the image striking,

The angle is also a very good one leading you around the photo, wish i lived in london not manchester now

This does remind me its time for a photo walk soon,

Also, you can never take too many shots, just take them of everything you see, not just the prettier stuff,

ike,