Round about f11 ish.... shutter speed dependant on what it was, so sunsets fast enough to get rid of "most" of the blown highlights, for the darker stuff some were around 30 seconds, some less.
I used a lens skirt to get rid of the reflections (either make one or buy one, just use black material and attach some suckers to it) and used the slr gorrilapod to keep it steady.
I'm surprised that they let you do this, but it's the only way you'll completely avoid reflections.
I guess a Gorrilapod is about he only way to get around the "No tripods" rule.
I'm hoping they may run some more photography days, but this time in the evening.
I'd say the time you were there was perfect, with just enough light to give good detail in the buildings, but dark enough for the street lighting to show up well.
With the early morning session the sun was shining almost horizontally through the eastern widows, giving maximum illumination to the interior fittings, and hence the worst case for reflections.
I'd avoid level 69 and go straight for 72. single plate glass on 72.
Although it's double glass on 69, because the background is darker I found, if anything, the reflections were less intrusive on 69.
With a little more planning the whole of both areas could have been made a lot more photographer friendly.
There are so many light painted items that reflect into the glass that just by painting them a dark colour would reduce reflections considerably.
The silver glass framing and handrail similarly don't help.
I booked in at 7 as I new sunset would be around 7:45. I found a spot and basically camped out until sunset. Crowds on the west side started forming 20 mins before sunset. AFter sunset I went for the west side to get the Tower Bridge shots, I quite like the way the Thames leads your eye through the shot.
I know you meant to say East for Tower Bridge, but the curve of the Thames is a great lead-in towards Canary Wharf. It's not till you see it from up there that you realise just how much the river meanders on it's way through the city.
View attachment 9378
I put the above image in our club comp last week and the judge awarded it 20 out of 20 and second place in the comp.
I printed some of these out on a3 last night and I was blown away by the detail, I'm so glad I have the 5DMk3 and didn't have to use my old 40d....
It was a bit awkward lying down trying to get shots (had to keep making sure my arse wasn't hanging out) but worth it. There were plenty of other people up there and all of the people with slr's uniformly commented "What's that? I wish I had one of those.." about the lens skirt. Impossible to get good shots without something to block out the light.
Watch out on 72, people jumping around will cause the floor boards to wobble, so if doing a long'ish exposure make sure your camera is resting on one of the window sills.
Really enjoyable experience all in all. Would be interested to see the quality of pictures taken by the hordes with their ipads of all things (who in the hell walks round sightseeing with an ipad???).
From what I've seen, quite a lot, and an increasing number.
Personally I think someone snapping with an iPad looks hilarious, but they seem to be completely oblivious.
I saw the ultimate last week with a guy taking photos with a small laptop computer!
If they hold any more of those photography events I'm not sure I would go again, but if they were in the evening I might consider it.
BTW, if you think the shard is a good view, a few years ago I went to the Chicago.
The viewing area of the Willis tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) is on level 103, 412 metres above ground - the Shard is a mere 244 metres.
And I when I was there, I don't recall any reflection problems shooting from the Sears Tower
Skydeck.
Mind you it was a while ago.
Taken on Kodachrome 64ASA, late afternoon, view north-east over Lake Michigan.
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Oh and watch out for the p***ed up city folk. Plenty of those up there quaffing the champers.....
A hazard almost anywhere in London I'm afraid.
