London photography guide

London is one of the most visited cities in the world. With so many instantly recognisable iconic and historic sites mingled in with the ultra modern, the quirky and fleetingly pop-up, it can be hard to know where to get started. Whether you’re capturing your visit on a mobile phone or have planned your trip specifically for photography, London requires a plan - a plan flexible enough to allow you to divert and explore a stumbled upon viewpoint, a tucked away cobbled street, an unexpected garden or modern sculpture, but one that also helps you to take in Lonon’s classic monuments and key locations and get the most out of whatever time you have there.  

London is renowned for its diversity and is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and this is reflected in all aspects of daily life, from food, to fashion, to music, art and culture. It’s therefore no surprise that London is such a major draw for urban street photography. The city also has one of the most vibrant and exciting street art scenes and, due to its ever-changing nature, there are always fresh works springing up across the capital.

This is a city as much about leafy landscapes and sprawling parks as it is about densely packed monuments, museums and architectural wonders. It’s not difficult to escape the hustle and bustle and quickly find yourself in wide open green spaces, manicured gardens or wilder heathlands. The good news is that this guide covers it all - from the familiar and historic to the unexpected and quirky. You’ll have plenty to choose from to create itineraries to suit any style of photography or to hone in and specialise on your particular niche area.

There are few restrictions to photographing in London other than the usual you would expect in a city. Buildings such as museums, churches and art galleries will display their own guidelines clearly. One question that comes up a lot is ‘can I use a tripod’. The answer, confusingly, is yes and no! It depends very much where you are in the city. Be aware that some areas in London (for example near the London Eye or More London and parts of the Thames footpath) are privately owned with public access and the minute you pull out a tripod, you will attract the attention of a security guard. Sometimes if you explain you are not photographing for commercial purposes you may be allowed to continue to use your tripod, especially if it’s at a quieter time, but if it’s a no, it’s a no and you should put your tripod away and shoot handheld or find another spot. In all cases apply common sense when photographing in crowded areas where a tripod might be an irritation to others or even be a safety hazard.