More than 100 years ago, a solution was found for plugging the gap created by the River Thames at Woolwich in London. Not a bridge, but a tunnel going beneath the water for the use of foot passengers. It’s still very much in use and important to local people, not to mention a draw to photographers from further afield. The stretch and curve of the eerily lit tunnel is an irresistible capture, but there are other details too…
There is a nub of land which juts into the River Thames. It’s a hive of modern development and activity, with sleek housing blocks, a lofty cable car and a landmark music and entertainment venue – the O2 Arena. A recent river walk took me to North Greenwich, and here are four images from this remarkable piece the capital’s territory.
The nights in London are now long and dark with the onset of winter. Just a short while ago, summer was breathing its last gasp on the embankment of the River Thames close to the iconic and imposing Palace of Westminster. The building caught the last vestiges of sunlight, while people went about their business – tourists took photographs as joggers passed by. There was even a wedding shoot taking place. Most noticeable of all was the green leaves of the trees, lush and intact. How different things are now…
The Palace of Westminster. Arguably the most recognisable London landmark topped off by Big Ben, the capital’s timekeeper. It’s taken me a number of years to visit the stretch of the south bank of the Thames between Westminster and Lambeth bridges, which offers this view.
I set up my tripod in one spot as dusk rapidly turned to autumnal darkness. Each is a separate long exposure shot, two have monochrome finishes. What I couldn’t master was capturing the detail of the clock face, which is the brightest point of the composition. And the building is undergoing some repair work, meaning scaffold and a covered section are unavoidably part of the photographs. But two pleasure boats obliged to create the light trails in the main photo.
There is little to beat the transition from day to night in a big city – especially if you have your camera ready to catch it.
Click images to enlargeIf you want to see London in all its glory, then you have to climb up high. A favoured vantage point is on the hill above Greenwich, home of the world-famous observatory. And that’s exactly what it is. A place to see a grand sweep of the city and a large bend in the River Thames, from the mighty Shard to the City. The bristling of Docklands’ corporate skyscrapers is just across the way. And if you’re blessed with a crystal blue sky, then all the better.
