Shooting London: Photography Examples & Tips

Arriving at any major city can be daunting, not least if you are on a photography-related trip. Somewhere as expansive as London can be a difficult location to portray in just a few days, and you'll need to prepare well in advance! Today we're going to showcase a selection stunning images taken in England's capital, along with some tips for your own visit.

Shoot the Landmarks

Although it might feel a little cliché, taking photos of the main landmarks and attractions is always a fun thing to do. Aim for something a little bit unique - I particularly like the two images taken by Michiel Jelijs below, showing famous landmarks in the background of a photo that focuses on a different subject.

You won't be short of famous landmarks to photograph in London, but here's a quick list to remind you of some major sights not to miss:

London Eye
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
St Paul's Cathedral
Tower Bridge
Covent Garden
Canary Wharf
Millennium Dome
Buckingham Palace
10 Downing Street

All of these different landmarks aren't conveniently located five minutes away from one another unfortunately, which brings me on to the next piece of advice...

Alvaro

Get Underground

Travelling around London is best done on the iconic Underground system, connecting all the various sights and landmarks. A good idea is to pick up a Day Ticket, giving you unlimited access to roam around London all day.

Just because you're underground, it's no reason to put your camera away. I've included a number of fantastic underground shots in today's inspiration, both of people, trains, and the iconography surrounding the whole Underground system. This is a big part of the London culture, and definitely worth exploring!

Zyllan

Capture the People

Although it can be easy and tempting to simply stick with architectural photography in a city such as London, don't forget that a city's "life" comes from the people living there. Whether it's a busker sat across the river from St Paul's Cathedral, or a solitary man walking away down a cobbled street, adding a person to your photo can go a long way.

Tom

Think About Events

London is host to many regular events that provide a unique chance to shoot something a little different. The yearly London Marathon, for instance, takes over the city for one day each year (17th April next year). London is also going to be host to the 2012 Olympic Games, another great reason to think about making a visit.

Julian Mason

Photo Inspiration

J. A. Alcaide

Carlo

Talke Photography

Tony Eccles

Natalia Romay

Jason

J. A. Alcaide

jrodmanjr

E01

Chris JL

night86mare

Taro Taylor

Harshil Shah

Michiel Jelijs

Craig Allen

Martino

Anirudh Koul

Stu Mayhew

Sheldon Wood

Zyllan

Carlo

Michiel Jelijs

Carlo

Nick Garrod

Cyril Attias

Primeroz

Mackenzie London

Mrs. Knook

Heart & Soul

Peter PZ

supersum

While You're There...

As well as practicing your own photography, London is a great place to visit a museum and appreciate the work of other talented artists. Here are a few fantastic places to check out:

Any Other Tips?

Do you have any of your own London photography tips to share? I'd love to hear them in the comments, and it would be great to have you contribute to our resource!