Underneath

Elephant and Castle in London is notorious with city dwellers for its rundown shopping centre and existence as a major road artery just south of the River Thames.

Beneath the busy traffic system lies a network of subways, allowing pedestrians to safely negotiate their way from one side of Elephant to another.

It’s adorned with cheerful, vibrant murals – official art unlike the Leake Street graffiti tunnel – but is a confusing maze to negotiate. I spent my first week in London staying locally, and often went round in circles. At night-time, it can feel a little intimidating.

For this shoot I wanted to get lost to cover every corner of the system and pass as many fellow pedestrians as possible. On my way out, I followed the signs to the Tube station – now that seemed like the longest walk…

Click first image to launch the gallery

Tags: art, candid shots, Elephant and Castle, Elephant and Castle subway, London, murals, Pacman, pedestrian underpass, pedestrians, photography, street photography, subway system

12 thoughts on “Underneath”

stadtauge on July 13, 2014 at 10:32 said:

Wow! Gerät serie, great Fotos, great shapes, pattern, perspectives! Great blog!

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 13, 2014 at 10:40 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Daniel – much appreciated. I enjoy the look and feel of your blog too.
  
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Laura Bloomsbury on June 28, 2014 at 21:21 said:

Love the sign itself as well as the ceramic tiles – it’s the way you capture colour on colour details p.s. my purchase of Bournemouth beach huts arrived today :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2014 at 22:39 said:
  
  Thank you Laura! Oh, that’s great to know – I hope you’re pleased with it – that’s certainly a very vibrant frame!
  
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biankonera on June 28, 2014 at 20:10 said:

Really love the atmosphere of these shots. They brought back the feeling I always get in subway tunnels (and they sure can be hopelessly confusing).

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2014 at 22:40 said:
  
  Thank you very much! It wasn’t as intimidating as the graffiti tunnel from today’s earlier post. And smelt nicer too!
  
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anotherday2paradise on June 28, 2014 at 19:52 said:

It does look a little intimidating to someone used to the usual mall layouts. How “pungent” was that subway? :?

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2014 at 22:41 said:
  
  Hahahaha! It was pretty whiff-free, actually. The original idea of the pungent subway was to fill the subway with beautiful fragrances. I’m not sure how successful they were…
  
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  - anotherday2paradise on June 29, 2014 at 08:13 said:
    
    It’s the thought that counts :)
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on June 29, 2014 at 10:39 said:
      
      They did try, bless them!
      
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Mark Simms on June 28, 2014 at 17:31 said:

Lovely use of light in some of these shots Mike – particularly like images 1 to 4 in the gallery

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- mikeosbornphoto on June 28, 2014 at 17:32 said:
  
  Thank you Mark. It’s lovely how the subways suck the light in. My favourite on that score is the second shot.
  
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