The plaza around the Gherkin is private property as it's a circular building built on a square plot of land. The landlords are also very security conscious (hence the explosives sniffer dog) as it's a prime target for terrorists.The city is a different story...attempt to stick a tripod up around the Gherkin etc your stuffed. Everything is "private property"
Couriously I had no problems at all at Trafalgar square, security/plod just ignored us. (mid evening) and no problems on the south bank either, other than beggars dressed up in costumes asking for money.its purely luck of the draw ( plus time of day/ night ) ive gone along the whole south bank from westminster to tower bridge shooting with a tripod along the way for over 4-5 hours and not been stopped once ( both day and night time 0, and ive done the same route ( more times than i can count ) and been stopped as many as a dozen times on one occasion ). sometimes they are fine and just want to know what you are shooting, other times they will be jobsworths who have no clue about the law and demand to see/ delete pics, threaten to call the police etc ) St katherines Dock is probably the only place ( and Trafalgar square ) where i have had regular problems both day and night ) though i generally dont bother with trafalgar square anyway and Katherines dock other than getting the fountain/ tower bridge i will try to shoot handheld if im around there.
There are so many places in London you can shoot with tripod without any problems then its no big deal for someone like me who's fairly local but if your a first time visitor it can be frustrating if you want to get certain shots.
my advice is if you do get approached just say your a tourist getting some pics to remember your visit and if they still insist just nod smile and move on 100 yards.
The plaza around the Gherkin is private property as it's a circular building built on a square plot of land. The landlords are also very security conscious (hence the explosives sniffer dog) as it's a prime target for terrorists.
However, there is a public footpath outside the private plot where you could set up. you might get some interest from security, but they're used to people taking photos.
There's normally a lot more pavement space on the other side of St Mary Axe, near the church. But your shot maybe hindered by parked vehicles and you'll have to time your shots between passing traffic.
Oh, and don't come on a Thursday, as there's a food market in the plaza which guarantees a sizeable crown if the weather's good.
Really... Don't be led to believe such stupidity. How often do we get car bombings in this country? Hmmmm let me think...
Really... Don't be led to believe such stupidity. How often do we get car bombings in this country? Hmmmm let me think...
There was one over the weekend in Belfast, but failed to detonate. That's part of the UK.
But this country is England. The UK is a sovereign state.
We used to get lots of car bombings in the 1970s.
Steve.
The Gherkin is built upon the site of a bombing that destroyed the previous building. Tower 42 (formerly the Natwest Tower) was nearly pulled down after a previous bombing almost made the building uneconomical to repair. The City Of London still has the security posts from the "Ring of Steel" during the peak of IRA bombing activity. Whilst we may not be at a high risk of a terrorist attack, if one were to occur, it is landmark buildings that would be the target.Really... Don't be led to believe such stupidity. How often do we get car bombings in this country? Hmmmm let me think...
Whilst we may not be at a high risk of a terrorist attack,
Sorry, I don't give the scare-o-meter a great deal of credence, especially when the organisations responsible for setting it want more powers.
Sorry, I don't give the scare-o-meter a great deal of credence, especially when the organisations responsible for setting it want more powers.
In the words of Zach de la Rocha, "Terror's the product you push".
We should refuse to be terrorised. That's how you beat terrorists.Ah, we'll all take your advice then ... I think not!
In the words of Zach de la Rocha, "Terror's the product you push".
To be fair, though, that was a cover version (albeit a good one - although I thought their cover of "How I Could Just Kill A Man" was the best on Renegades)Not really sure we can listen too much to Zach de la Rocha. This is the same man that said...
"Put that mic in my hand And let me kick out the jams Yes, kick out the jams, got to kick 'em out"
If a man can have such a hate for fruity preserves, im not sure I can take him seriously regarding terrorism.
I offered no advice. I only gave my opinion. If you want to live a life in constant fear of a minor threat, be my guest.Ah, we'll all take your advice then ... I think not!
I offered no advice. I only gave my opinion. If you want to live a life in constant fear of a minor threat, be my guest.
Classic LOL !Don't try tripods on railway stations or the underground either. They will attract attention of security.
I was asked at St Pancras once when covering a media event not to use a tripod, so I asked if it was ok to lay it down on the floor whilst I continued shooting on high ISO...Fine he said. His attitude softened and we had a great conversation for ten minutes about other things. Then he turned and tripped over my tripod lying on the ground.
pmsl.
Of course any death is going to be tragic for the families of the victims involved."Minor threat" ... yes that'll sit well with the relatives and survivors of the London bombings of 7/7 and the myriad of other terrorist atrocities.
No-one is diminishing the personal tragedies caused by such events (or, if they are, they shouldn't be). But that is not what is at issue - which is the overall risk of injury or death, to any particular person, from acts of terrorism."Minor threat" ... yes that'll sit well with the relatives and survivors of the London bombings of 7/7 and the myriad of other terrorist atrocities.
or of course you could just be an offence to fashion and the sight of you makes them physically sick and your loud 3/4 length shorts and pasty legs are scaring off potential customers so they just want you gone!
We should refuse to be terrorised. That's how you beat terrorists.
I like 3/4 shorts