Crisp air, sweaters, orange leaves and flushed cheeks…as much as we all love Summer of course, nothing beats the rich colour of Autumn. There’s reason to fall in love with this time of year and one in particular, is how picturesque the capital looks in all its golden glory. This season is great for exploring London through the lens and capturing some stunning snaps to share with your friends and family. If you’re planning to visit before the cold spike of winter hits, then it doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or amateur, be inspired by the best views of Autumn in the city. Here’s the photography hot spots you need to find.
1. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
For as iconic a city as London, you’ll be surprised at how many unusual, but pleasantly surprising places you’ll find hidden within the jungle. But to start with, we can’t go without mentioning the most recognised structures that represent the city. Photos of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are well-known all around the world for good reason – the simply fascinating architecture and intriguing history. For a first time visitor, these landmarks are not hard to find. Just step off the tube, go up the stairs and voila! From a photography perspective, the best spot to capture the moment is said to be across the River Thames and a little over to the right to place yourself right in front of both the attractions. Take the snap just at the last moments of dusk before night, when the golden lights shine a warm glow over both the buildings and give a subtle shimmer across the river. Just perfect!
2. The Tower Bridge
First thing to say about the Tower Bridge: it’s simply impossible to take a bad photo of it. It’s easy to spend hours at this site taking the right shot, but the top tip is to line yourself (among many other photographers) along the south side of the Thames on a wide walkway and explore with the various angles up close or from a distance. If you’re an early riser, this location makes a great snap at dawn where a gentle shade of blue envelops the whole setting. While you’re there, be sure to make a pit stop at a red phone box. Thanks to mobile phones, it’s probably been a while since someone has used one of these famous booths, but nonetheless it will be worth getting the shot, you won’t see these anywhere else!
3. Buckingham Palace
This location is a majestic must. If you have heard of Buckingham Palace, you’ll know it is the royal residence of our dear Queen Elizabeth, filled with beautiful state rooms and thousands of guests attending grand events every year. If you’ve seen Buckingham Palace, you’ll remember it for the remarkable size and amazing beauty; not to mention the familiar colours of the red and black Queen’s Guards. Although, if you have photographed Buckingham Palace, then you will have really appreciated the little details that show off the landmark’s intricate beauty. Try to shimmy your way through the crowd and after getting some panoramic shots of the building, try zooming in as far as you can to get a snap of one of the guards. The red contrast on the more plainly coloured background of the palace creates a dramatic effect and a photo to flaunt!
4. The London Eye
Again, this one may seem a little obvious, but the London Eye on a bright sunny day or when it is lit up bright at night makes a fantastic photo. On the opposite side to Big Ben sits the giant ferris wheel, just waiting for you to take its picture. The structure is inspiring, standing at 443 feet and welcomes almost 4 million visitors yearly. Once you have taken your best shot of the big wheel, why not take a ride into the sky? From 135 meters up you can gawk upon the stunning view of the buzzing city below, before finally pulling out the camera and deciding where to snap first whilst in the pod. Make it quick, before you know it you’ll be back on the ground!
It’s not just all about the great landmarks of the city, you are bound to find some excellent spots around every corner. Leadenhall Market is a Diagon Alley-like picture heaven, Paddington Station is perfect to take a snap as the world rushes by in a hurry and even the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel is known for its “off the beaten track” charm. So whether you want to take pictures of a pub or a palace, feast your eyes on all that London has to offer and keep the masterpieces you bring back home as memories. See where you can play this season with our expert guide…
