On Tower Bridge

United Kingdom United Kingdom

22 images 11 contributors Shoot with care

Jon Reid

Shoot with care
Be careful if shooting light trails at the edge of the pavement - traffic is constant. Be considerate of others if using a tripod and don't block this busy walkway.

About this spot
Though many of the iconic shots of London are of Tower Bridge, there are many more compositions that can be achieved on the bridge, and from the bridge itself.

What to shoot
Some of the best views of More London are from the Tower Bridge, which despite the crowds, still offers an empty view towards the area. For that reason, sunset and twilight during the working week are the best times as the buildings are lit up for business.

This is a location that works throughout the year. The summer months mean that the banks are lined with green trees, but the winter months make getting there for sunrise much easier.

You may be surprised to learn this is a great spot in the city for planespotting during the weekday morning rush hour at London City Airport. When planes are landing from the west, they typically loop around The Shard before their final approach. With a telephoto and some preparation you can capture some great shots. Early morning is best for this as the airport has several arrivals per hour at this time.

Take care if shooting light trails at night as you will be near the pavement edge and traffic is constant at all hours.
Essential Information

Easy

  • Requires minimal walking
  • Pathway is wide/even
  • Elevation gain is minimal

Web links

https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/

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Contributors 11

Jon Reid
Jon ReidPro 4828

Spot contributor1 image

Mathew Browne
Mathew BrowneTeam Pro 131859

4 images

Jules Renahan
Jules Renahan 49593

1 image

Paul James
Paul James 1944

3 images

James Billings.
James Billings.Curator 46913

3 images

Oliver Sherratt
Oliver Sherratt 1934

1 image

Jonny Brown
Jonny Brown 1534

4 images

Dan Highton
Dan Highton 1351

1 image

Doug Stratton
Doug Stratton 3413

2 images

Barry Cooper
Barry Cooper 894

1 image

Gary Shinner
Gary Shinner 920

1 image


Guides

This spot appears in 1 guide.

London

United Kingdom United Kingdom

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. 

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