LONDON'S STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Article for Discavo.de city guides, 2015
If the Earth inhabitants were asked where street photography was born, people would have 3 answers: I know, I don’t know and LONDON. Street photography, as the name totally states (here the creativity goes in the art not in the name) is about shooting in the street. But not exactly the bricks, trees or buildings, it’s almost all about people. That’s why London is the answer. With more than 15 million people (and creatures) is the perfect place for a street photo safari.
When traveling in London with a camera it’s difficult not to come back home with many films, full SD memories or just a red finger like “E.T. phone home”. It seems like everything and anything is designed here. Everything fits to perfection. As Saskia Sassen wrote on 1991, London is a global city! It started like a small settlement and port, here we find the clue: ports and hubs are a magnet for unknown and fascinating new things. Show it to the world! Well, I will provide you with some different areas and streets where this kind of photography is more suitable. And the nominees are…
BARBICAN CENTRE
The Barbican is for me the most interesting building in London, it is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning events realized in the incredible and enjoyable massive gardens. That’s why it is the perfect place to eternize the wide affluence of people with different styles and interests.
@Barbican Tube station ( Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines)
SHOREDITCH
In America they are proud to have the Bermudas triangle, where everything can disappear, but in London we’ve got the Shoreditch triangle formed by Shoreditch High street, Great Eastern and Old Street. But instead, here nothing will disappear, EVERYTHING appears.. So take that America! Ideal for graffiti, culinary, ethnic, hipster, fashion and street photography…Columbia Road flower market for the colorists and sentimentalists; Brick Lane for the fashion victims and cool hunters. The Old Petrol Station 168 Shoreditch High Street (a disused petrol station is the perfect beginning for this area, then…just go with the flow
@Liverpool street station ( Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines)
REGENT’S CANAL
Regent’s Canal passes by parks, a zoo, Camden Market, Victorian warehouses and celebrity hangouts, so It is not only a quiet and atmospheric waterway but also a path to the unknown surprises. Keep calm (sure you will), take your more comfortable shoes and check out a totally different point of view of London. If you wanna go a step beyond you can hire a kayak tour of about 13km (be careful of finishing with Popey’s Olivia’s arms). Little Venice (Maida Vale)-Lord’s Cricket Ground- Royal Park (Dubbed “the jewel in the crown”), Regent’s Park (has served as a location in many London-based films) – London Zoo – Primrose Hill (Haunt of rock stars, actresses and their yoga instructors) – Camden town.
@Bethnal Green (Central line )
RICHMOND PARK
Dare a deer? Is a national nature reserve and deer park, the biggest enclosed space in London and house with 630 Red and Fallow deer roaming freely since 1529. It’s also the previous step for your safari travel. You can walk between them and make excellent christmas pictures, but don’t think you are crocodile dundee and keep distance or you will finish decorating their own wall. Ah! How I dare not to tell you about the Kew Gardens!? It’s worth the price, I know… paying for a park? where I am?: you are right, let me tell you one thing. Pay the ticket and once inside ask the question to yourself once again. Let this lysergic park take care of your pictures.
@Richmond Tube Station ( District line )
CENTRAL LONDON
Got a tripod? so why don’t try to get the night Piccadilly Circus postal picture? Too classic? so let’s walk a few meters and get into the wonderful world of Soho. Frequented by famous actors and decorated with all type of color lights, it’s the most interesting place for night shootings. You can also try the Londond Red light district. Many things are going on in Soho and I don’t know if it is because of the theaters but everybody here is a star. So be aware and get some extreme good portraits in the allies or in the little china town which is next to it.
Wait! before you leave, can you please take some pictures of the lovely south bank for the future generations? It’s as magic as the lonely foxes surrounding the desolated streets.
@Tottenham Court Road ( Central line and the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line.)
BURGEOISIE
There are 2 kind of persons: the one’s who can afford a house at the Chelsea or Kensington, notting hill areas, and the one’s who can only make pictures of them. Supposing you are part of the second team I recommend you to enjoy this wealthy area full of great houses, beautiful parks and eccentric people. I always like to practice my vanishing point in the portobello road market. Or take your best to the worlds famous battersea power plant and show your own perspective of it.
@South Kensington ( District, Circle and Piccadilly lines)
DIÆGO ARIMAYN CAPALBO
„durch die Macht der Wahrheit habe ich als Lebender das Universum erobert"
