Going To London On Sunday - Possible Challenge?

Steven001

Steven001

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Hi folks,

I'm off to London on Sunday for two days with my girlfriend. She has an audition for a college on Monday which will last about 5hours, so while I'm on my own, I'm going to try and get some nice pictures.... hopefully :lol:

I would quite like to get a few printed on Canvas for my room if I get anything decent, but rather than just wandering around taking random pictures, I thought TP members could give me a topics, subjects or buildings to try and capture.

I'd still class myself as a beginner, so don't expect amazing results, but I thought it would be a good idea! :)
 
Hi. london's a BIG place, whereabouts will be you be? You've got the southbank, down as far as Tower bridge/City hall, the Shard, Southwark cathedral, Tate Modern, wobbly bridge, St Pauls, London Eye for starters.
 
If you want a challenge, I'd suggest doing the same as MD last weekend. Restrict yourself to using the 35mm, leaving all the other lenses at home, and if you really want to push things then limit which aperture you are going to use, or plan for everything to be rendered in a particular way; ie all shots to be PP'd to BW or 75% desaturation etc etc.

Challenge your technical skills and you'll learn more!
 
Photodiva said:
Hi. london's a BIG place, whereabouts will be you be? You've got the southbank, down as far as Tower bridge/City hall, the Shard, Southwark cathedral, Tate Modern, wobbly bridge, St Pauls, London Eye for starters.
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In the city centre. We are staying in Victoria but her audition is next to Kings Cross station. Should be able to get around using the subway without too much trouble. Just need to try and not get lost (been once before).

DemiLion said:
If you want a challenge, I'd suggest doing the same as MD last weekend. Restrict yourself to using the 35mm, leaving all the other lenses at home, and if you really want to push things then limit which aperture you are going to use, or plan for everything to be rendered in a particular way; ie all shots to be PP'd to BW or 75% desaturation etc etc.

Challenge your technical skills and you'll learn more!
Click to expand...

I quite like that idea. I only got my 35mm a few days ago and haven't had the chance to use it yet. I wouldn't want to feel I had missed a shot, having left the other lenses at home!
 
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Steven001 said:
I wouldn't want to feel I had missed a shot, having left the other lenses at home!
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But that's the whole point. Restricting yourself to a fixed focal length makes you consider the subject in a different way and forces you to really think about the framing!
 
Hi Steve,

I live in Victoria so if you have a few mins early/late to spare while the missus is getting ready at the hotel, this here is a good spot for quick snaps. Good leading lines up to Battersea power station.

Being in Victoria is also great for getting around by foot, you'd be surprised how close everything is if you walk rather than using tubes. You can easily get over to Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye in 20-25 minutes and being on foot gives you a chance to snap any interesting buildings you pass.

I've recently spent some time wandering around between London Bridge and Tower Bridge here. It's a pleasant "loop" and gives you shots of Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the impressive buildings and walkways around "The Scoop".

As examples I've put up a few series over at dyxum:
Wander 1
Wander 2
Wander 3

Bring a tripod with you would be my main recommendation and take your time. If you can, also try and pick up tickets with these guys: tours. It's around £25 per ticket but you can then use these buses for 48 hours, hopping on and off whenever you feel like it. I did it (part of wander 2) and helps you to see where everything is. Once you've done the whole tour, you can then have an idea of where you want to visit and can use the tour bus again for that. Whether I'd sit on the top again though is debatable, it's pretty chilly!

Hope that helps and enjoy London.

Simon
 
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Fixed or multi lengths just take your time and enjoy yourself ...I fixed lenth is a cool challange but only of your happy to lose the ability to get a whole load of other shots.

London is very cluttered so try remembering stuff like... Don’t chop stuff in two, frame everything with breathing space, avoid all ugly bits, move you feet to make the shots composition work, find alternative solutions if you can't, like hide ugly stuff behind pretty stuff. Light is everything so make good use out of it if you get some, think some more and take your time with the composition.
 
Hi stephen, do let us all know how it goes. A thank you to those who have tried to help probably wouldn't go a miss either.

Either way, I hope it goes well.
 
So how did it go Steven? Did you enjoy the capital?
 
Hi Tricky, apologies for not stopping by and replying sooner! I had completely forgotten about his thread!

Thanks for taking the time to write out your suggested routes. Unfortunately due to time restraints and lack of light I was unable to do either of them :(

I also had to leave my tripod at the airport as ryanair only allow one luggage item per passenger. I thought I would chance my luck as it was fairly small, but they were having none of it!

I have posted a few of the pictures in the General Photo Sharing section, titled "A Few From London" I'm on my iPod at the moment so I can't post the link!

But thanks again to everyone for you comments. I didn't go for the one lens option Either, I think i would've missed to many shots!
 
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