Have you seen movies where a person looks through a keyhole? On the viewer’s side, the side where the person looking through the keyhole, the scene is dark and perhaps ominous? Through the keyhole might be a mysterious scene or even something magical? As viewers of the movie, we are taken into a scene and we feel as if we’re part of the action. Not only is the actor in the movie looking through the keyhole, but we are as well. We see what the actor sees at the very same time.
What is the best way to explore and discover London? Randomly. There are unexpected finds around every curved road in London. There is no doubt about that. This is London. Take her each day. Take her at night. Take her your way and don’t let a guidebook guide you. If you love travel photography, London is the perfect place for you. There are no shortages of photo opportunities. In fact, I write a series on this blog called “The Best Places to Photograph London” where
No matter how, when, why or where you travel around the world you are sure to receive one of the best educations of your life. The lessons you learn may be small and unnoticeable or they may be huge and life changing. A foreign culture may make you realise something you didn’t know about yourself and sometimes even move you to tears. My visit to Bhutan took me to a state of peacefulness I’ve not found anywhere in the Western world. I can’t begin to describe the effect the
London inspires many to write compelling thoughts and anecdotes just as the grand city on the Thames inspires me to photograph her night after night. Some words are one-off’s while others are part of timeless pieces of literature. I’ve combined famous London quotes with my own night images of London for the ultimate list of London quotes. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comment section below. When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in Lond
Today’s Chelsea Bridge was officially opened in on 6 May 1937 by the then-Prime Minister of Canada, who was in London for the coronation of King George VI. The new bridge was completed five months ahead of schedule and within the £365,000 budget (about £22.4 million in 2018’s money.) Chelsea Bridge is 213m (698 ft) long, and 20m (64ft) wide. It has three spans. As was agreed with the Ministry of Transport, all the materials used to build Chelsea Bridge came from (what was the
If you love London Night Photography and capturing light streams, Oxford Street is a perfect place for you to be with your camera. The best time to be in Oxford Street is during rush hour as there is a constant flow of double-decker buses, one after another, that pass by. Perfect for photographing light trails. Set up your camera in the middle of Oxford Street where there are proper pedestrian crossings. The crossing will also be the place where the traffic lights are and t
My all-time favourite view of Battersea Power Station is from Ebury Bridge Road. The point where you’ll stand is a paved area overlooking the rail lines that lead to/from Victoria Station. In the distance is a perfectly clear view of the iconic Battersea Power Station. There are two other advantages to staking your place at Ebury Bridge Road. First, you will probably be the only one with a camera standing in this spot. Two, the passing trains add an interesting element to you
Finsbury Avenue Square is delightful at night. The square itself is surrounded by a number of tall corporate office buildings, which aren’t so interesting. In the middle of the buildings is a square with a lighted floor. This is the fun. The lighted squares transition from colour to colour in a way that would make Saturday Night Fever, The Bee Gees and John Travolta proud. Yes, there is a disco feel but no disco ball and the display is more than tasteful. Finsbury Avenue Squa
American and the British speak the same language, or do we? The British have a unique use of particular English words that Americans find difficulty in understanding. If you’re not careful, it’s possible a good natured Brit might try to take the piss with you. Blimey! You don’t want to be the brunt of a joke, do you? While English is my first and only language, I always say I’m bilingual as I’m familiar with both American English and British English. I had to learn, othe
If you are a first time visitor to London, you’ll know you’re in Europe’s most dynamic city when you’re on Westminster Bridge. One of London’s most iconic structures, Big Ben, towers over the bridge along with Westminster Palace in full view. Both are in full view so you can’t miss them. The east side of the bridge offers brilliant views of the London Eye and Southbank London. Did you know that Westminster Bridge is painted the same colour green as the leather seats in the
The City of London is the historic heart of London. This area was already a bustling trading post almost 2000 years ago when it was part of the Roman Empire. Many of the irregular streets still follow the ancient Roman roads. The boundaries of the City also loosely follow the path of the Roman wall that was built here in the 2nd century AD. Today the City is a mostly commercial district dominated by the stately buildings and skyscrapers that house offices for the finance indu
There has been a walkway crossing the Thames River at this point since 1845 when Isambard Kingdom Brunel opened his suspension footbridge. Of course today, we call this point the Golden Jubilee Bridge. Back in Brunel’s time, the footbridge connected the South Bank, now the Queen’s Walk, with the 180-year-old Hungerford Market which closed in 1860 to make way for Charing Cross Railway Station on the north side of the bridge. Using the original brick pile buttresses of Brunel’
London at night was not always so glamorous. Buildings and monuments were not so well lighted as they are today. In fact, until recently even the bridges though Central London were not as vivid as we now see them. As a student in the 80’s I wasn’t the bravest soul in London. In fact, you might have called me terribly timid. The darkness of London kept me from exploring and being mischievous like I should have been at that age. At some point, the lights came on and what was on