One of the open-topped bus companies also includes walking tours with a local guide (a real human) in the price. Found that the guide will get you to places you might not otherwise look for. For instance, we did not waste time camped out in front of Buckingham, but went to the places where the guards were forming up. Of course, if you have no intention of doing the touristy stuff, doesn't matter anyway. But, it is your first visit. Wish I was going back soon.
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Advice: London Trip
- Thread starter Cerny Most
- Start date
slimandy
Forum Pro
I like capturing the people of London more than the usual tourist attractions, though with the attractions as backdrops perhaps. Favourite spots are Greenwich (on a sunday morning), the South Bank, Covent Garden.
Yes. there are restrictions on professional photography in places such as Trafalgar Square and the Royal parks. Any attachment, particularly a tripod, will make you look professional and is not allowed.
Personally I'd like to walk around and take photos without changing lenses. The 17~55 would be enough for me. That said, you might want more reach for the views from Greenwich for example, and the wide might create some interesting perspectives.
Not sure here. Greenwich or Camden Markets on a sunday maybe? Both areas also have great photo opportunities that are a bit less photogrphed than Tower Bridge (but not much).
Don't know about outside the city; it's a big city! The riverboat cruise up the Thames is a good way to see London.
No tripods in the parks. No photography in art galleries/museams, train stations, no pro photography in Parliament Square or Trafalgar Square. No tripods on roads where they will impede the public.
Be yourself, relax, enjoy. You won't be the only one with a D2X!
Dave Chambers
Senior Member
Hi Cerny, you've already received some great advice. Here's my recommendation for an unusual day out. The Steamdreams company (I'm not associated in any way) organise steam hauled train trips.
One of the best routes which I have done several times is from London Victoria Station to the famous historic cathedral town of Canterbury. You get a few hours to spend in the town, and the December trip includes a special Xmas carol service in the cathedral for the train passengers, although you don't have to attend that of course. The route home takes you right out to the east coast, then down along the south coast under the white cliffs of Dover, before heading back northwards to London again on a high-speed section of track.
If you really want to make it a great day, go for their premier dining option. You get a reserved seat in the dining car, champagne breakfast on the outbound journey, and a superb 3 course meal on the homeward journey.
I see they've got a Canterbury trip scheduled for Tuesday 19th December. You will need to book well in advance (preferably now) because these trips are very popluar and soon sell out. Link here ...
http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/
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Dave (Sgt. Pepper), Epsom, England.
http://www.pbase.com/davecq
One of the best routes which I have done several times is from London Victoria Station to the famous historic cathedral town of Canterbury. You get a few hours to spend in the town, and the December trip includes a special Xmas carol service in the cathedral for the train passengers, although you don't have to attend that of course. The route home takes you right out to the east coast, then down along the south coast under the white cliffs of Dover, before heading back northwards to London again on a high-speed section of track.
If you really want to make it a great day, go for their premier dining option. You get a reserved seat in the dining car, champagne breakfast on the outbound journey, and a superb 3 course meal on the homeward journey.
I see they've got a Canterbury trip scheduled for Tuesday 19th December. You will need to book well in advance (preferably now) because these trips are very popluar and soon sell out. Link here ...
http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/
--
Dave (Sgt. Pepper), Epsom, England.
http://www.pbase.com/davecq
As you are in Hyde Park I would recommend going along to Speakers' Corner on a Sunday morning (it is in the corner of the park near to Marble Arch). Basically this is where lots of people come to speak their minds on a subject close to their heart - anything from religious zealots to a man extolling the virtues of olive oil! There are lots of fascinating characters here and a chance to get some good candid shots. This guy is one of the regulars up there:
There has been some very good advice on this thread, but I would still suggest that you buy a good guide book with decent maps before you go to try & get some idea of the distance to some of the recommended places, as some will entail a full day trip.
As for trying to avoid upsetting anyone, I wouldn't worry about it, a bit of common sense goes a long way such as not talking loudly in a quiet place or stopping in the middle of a busy pavement!
--
http://www.shimmerimages.co.uk
There has been some very good advice on this thread, but I would still suggest that you buy a good guide book with decent maps before you go to try & get some idea of the distance to some of the recommended places, as some will entail a full day trip.
As for trying to avoid upsetting anyone, I wouldn't worry about it, a bit of common sense goes a long way such as not talking loudly in a quiet place or stopping in the middle of a busy pavement!
--
http://www.shimmerimages.co.uk
& the Frost Fair on Bankside may be worth a trip - on the 15th-17th Dec:
http://www.visitsouthwark.com/frost-fair-15-17-december
There is also a hug funfair in Hyde Park from 21st Dec:
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/events/event.cfm?id=835
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http://www.shimmerimages.co.uk
http://www.visitsouthwark.com/frost-fair-15-17-december
There is also a hug funfair in Hyde Park from 21st Dec:
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/events/event.cfm?id=835
--
http://www.shimmerimages.co.uk
Mike Dorset
Well-known member
If you are looking for days out, go under your own steam to Oxford and/or Cambridge. Use http://www.nationalexpress.com - the UKs equivalent of greyhound busses. Journey time about 90 minutes to each. These also have open top bus tours, but i am not a fan of any of these - especially London due to the cost. Better in London is to buy a one day travel card for bus and underground. You can buy a map which lists all the sites with bus routes and underground stations. The main tourist areas are all within a mile or two of each other. I have recently taken some friends from Germany on a small tour. Start at Harrods (Camera unfriendly) bus to Green Park, walk to Buckingham palace, walk through the park to westminster abbey and the houses of parliamnet (you can hear Big Ben but not see it), walk up the Mall past Downing Street and the Horse Guards to Trafalger square. From here you have the national portrait gallery and the national gallery. Arround the corner you have leicester square, chinatown and Soho, and Piccadily circus. A couple of hundred yards away is covent garden. Walking and bus time 40-50 minutes - maybe 2 days viewing for someone on their first visit to the capital. Keep your gear in a well padded bag that does not look like a camera bag - like all big citys there are problems, but most people are willing to help with directions.
Mike
Mike
Thomas S. England
Well-known member
Here are some shots I did last Christmastime: http://englandphoto.com/London/
I strongly suggest riding the London eye at sunset, but pay the extra money for their fast track service. That's the only way to ensure what time you will get on the ride if the lines are long.
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Thomas S. England
Decatur GA 30030
Portfolio:
http://englandphoto.com/portfolio/
Annual Report:
http://englandphoto.com/AnnualReport2005/
I strongly suggest riding the London eye at sunset, but pay the extra money for their fast track service. That's the only way to ensure what time you will get on the ride if the lines are long.
--
Thomas S. England
Decatur GA 30030
Portfolio:
http://englandphoto.com/portfolio/
Annual Report:
http://englandphoto.com/AnnualReport2005/
JohnMueller
Member
You'll have a wonderful time there; hope the weather cooperates. London is nice, but everyone goes to london and gets similar shots. The day trips is where you'll really find the gems. Hope you don't mind if I post a few small ones from my recent trip:
Bath is about an hour to the west:
Then to the south about an hour is the resort city of Brighton (however probably not a lot of people go there during the winter:
Stonehenge you could almost pass up completely, but your friends back home will complain if you don't at least go just to see these stones:
I found them pretty uninspiring, however.
And if you have the chance to head to the highlands of Scotland, you won't be dissappointed:
Eiliean Donan Castle
I think the weather might be your largest obstacle. But again, it comes down to what you want to shoot, and how adventerous you are. Also, how much money you want to spend on gas, since it's about $90 to fill up over there.
Good luck and have fun!
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John Mueller
Photographer / Engineer / Comedian / Dad
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmueller/
Bath is about an hour to the west:
Then to the south about an hour is the resort city of Brighton (however probably not a lot of people go there during the winter:
Stonehenge you could almost pass up completely, but your friends back home will complain if you don't at least go just to see these stones:
I found them pretty uninspiring, however.
And if you have the chance to head to the highlands of Scotland, you won't be dissappointed:
Eiliean Donan Castle
I think the weather might be your largest obstacle. But again, it comes down to what you want to shoot, and how adventerous you are. Also, how much money you want to spend on gas, since it's about $90 to fill up over there.
Good luck and have fun!
--
John Mueller
Photographer / Engineer / Comedian / Dad
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmueller/
This is simply stunning. Would you, by any chance, be willing to tell us how you managed that kind of tonality? Did you use graduated ND filters or did you use photoshop for the effect?
This is just too beautiful! I'd be ever so grateful to myself had I shot that one. I could rest assured that I've shot one great photo during my lifetime and all the pressures would be gone...
Eiliean Donan Castle
Again, very beautiful. Could you tell me where you shot it? Is that the same lake?
I have to thank you for showing me so much beauty in such a short time! Such is the power of a photograph... And I have a looong way to go
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regards
Janne Mankila, Finland
Check out our first snowfall of this winter at:
http://jannemankila.googlepages.com
Stevencc
Well-known member
Sorry if I'm repeating at all, but I only read about half ot he the prior posts. The key aspects of London that strike me are the incredible parks, most notably, Green Park, Hyde Park, Regent's Park (my favorite), and St. Vincent's.
I also like the scenery of and along the Thames (not just the Tower Bridge, but other bridges and views of the water, houses of parliment, etc.). Further out (Thames Wharf) there are interesting tidal effects at sunset).
Plus there are great monuments, fountains, and flower plantings.
And there are some very nice buildings. London also has lots of people from all over the world, plus some striking locals. (My favorite museum is the Courthold which is in Somerset House--not sure if you can take pictures there.)
Here are some of my pictures just to give you an idea of how I've seen London (and Leeds which is a bit further afield):
London: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=duei4ht.9inxoqah&x=0&y=-50kivf
London: 0506: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=124q4sjl.8ky4zz1d&x=0&y=-5rfv2m
Leeds:
Leeds: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=duei4ht.8i2irwih&x=0&y=fpqi3k
I also like the scenery of and along the Thames (not just the Tower Bridge, but other bridges and views of the water, houses of parliment, etc.). Further out (Thames Wharf) there are interesting tidal effects at sunset).
Plus there are great monuments, fountains, and flower plantings.
And there are some very nice buildings. London also has lots of people from all over the world, plus some striking locals. (My favorite museum is the Courthold which is in Somerset House--not sure if you can take pictures there.)
Here are some of my pictures just to give you an idea of how I've seen London (and Leeds which is a bit further afield):
London: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=duei4ht.9inxoqah&x=0&y=-50kivf
London: 0506: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=124q4sjl.8ky4zz1d&x=0&y=-5rfv2m
Leeds:
Leeds: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=duei4ht.8i2irwih&x=0&y=fpqi3k
Ben Lovejoy
Senior Member
Though enforcement varies. I've taken quite a few stock photos in train stations, and if you are observant (in terms of where the security staff/CSOs are (the real police rarely bother you)) and make it look suitably casual, you can often get away with it.
Ben
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Professional: http://www.photographybybenlovejoy.com
Personal: http://www.benlovejoy.com/photography/photos/
Kit & beginners' guides: http://www.benlovejoy.com/photography/
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