American in London: photo/exploring advice wanted

[Ade-oh]

Central London is looking a bit grey and gloomy today: Tri-X weather!

Just to counter what a few posters have claimed: in London (and the rest of the UK), police, police community support officers, private security guards and members of the public have no right to stop anyone taking photographs in a public place. At all. Ever. Police - and only police - may question you if they have reasonable grounds to believe that you may be involved in terrorism and the guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (which is the body which sets broad police policy across the country) is that simply taking photographs does not constitute reasonable grounds.

There are a very small number of exceptions to this, around locations of high sensitivity - like the Israeli Embassy, just round the corner from where I live - but there are notices visible saying that photography is prohibited.

Apart from that... London is a very photogenic place and has a lot of good camera shops. If you like Nikon RF, Gray's of Westminster in Churton Street is worth a visit; and there are various secondhand places on Tottenham Court Road and around the British Museum where you can - occasionally - pick up a bargain. Foyle's has a great photographic books department on the Charing Cross Rd, and Zwemmer's is also very good

 

[Roger Hicks]

Central London is looking a bit grey and gloomy today: Tri-X weather!

Just to counter what a few posters have claimed: in London (and the rest of the UK), police, police community support officers, private security guards and members of the public have no right to stop anyone taking photographs in a public place. At all. Ever. Police - and only police - may question you if they have reasonable grounds to believe that you may be involved in terrorism and the guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (which is the body which sets broad police policy across the country) is that simply taking photographs does not constitute reasonable grounds.

There are a very small number of exceptions to this, around locations of high sensitivity - like the Israeli Embassy, just round the corner from where I live - but there are notices visible saying that photography is prohibited.

Apart from that... London is a very photogenic place and has a lot of good camera shops. If you like Nikon RF, Gray's of Westminster in Churton Street is worth a visit; and there are various secondhand places on Tottenham Court Road and around the British Museum where you can - occasionally - pick up a bargain. Foyle's has a great photographic books department on the Charing Cross Rd, and Zwemmer's is also very good

No-one believes they have any such right -- except them. And the loonies who think they have a right not to be photographed.

All right, it was Clacton, not London, but:

Policewoman approaches me: "Excuse me, sir, we've had a complaint from McDonalds that you may have been taking pictures."

Me (smiling sweetly): "Tough."

(Policewoman looks surprised, so I go on)

Me: "This is a public place, and as you know, I have a perfect right to take pictures in a public place."

Policewoman: "Of course, sir." (Brief silence) "But I wonder if you'd mind explaining, as a personal favour, why you're taking pictures."

I explained that as she was being polite and reasonable, I'd tell her, though I was under no obligation to do so: I was testing some new lenses (the Summarits had just come out), and Clacton provided a unifying theme. I also pointed out that no vendor of alleged hamburgers had any right to stop me, and that although I had not photographed their disgusting emporium before, I was just about to do so, merely to make the point to those inside that they were wasting police time and mine.

At which she smiled and wandered off, and I very ostentatiously (so the McDorks could see) took some pics of McDo.

So if you're in Clacton, take pics of McDo - and maybe post 'em here.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I seldom disagree with Roger, but just to demonstrate that everything is unpredictable, here's a shot of a piece of the Eye, taken with an RF which, presumably, didn't flip the "professional" toggle. God knows I certainly don't.

I also have really awful pictures of cops hanging around doorways at the Palace of Westminster (Parliament) and some shots of the MoD. In truth, few government buildings in London built after 1900 are worth photographing.

So, shoot away. They can only take away your camera and put you in jail. 😉

I think the restriction is that one may not use 'professional' cameras without permission while riding the Eye.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I think the restriction is that one may not use 'professional' cameras without permission while riding the Eye.

That is indeed it. And in the course of an hour's telephone interview they were unable to define 'professional' cameras, or explain why 'professional' cameras were any greater risk than 'amateur' ones. They're just control freaks who are suffering from extreme hardening of the categories and a refusal to admit that they are wrong.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ade-oh]

Roger, there have certainly been abuses by police - real and plastic - in the very recent past but it has become quite a live issue here and the message is getting through quite strongly.

 

[wnchiker]

There's not much I can add to this thread. A lot of great suggestions have already been made ....

Mr. Cad in Croydon has everything you'll ever need when it comes to photo gear. It's not really easy to get to as there's no underground, but it's definitely worth the hassle getting there.

Going to places like Brixton, or Crystal Palace, or Penge where I live, will give you a picture of London that is completely off the beaten tourist path.

 

[Paul T]

I disagree with Roger; since the announcement about Section 44, I've had no fuss photographing anywhere.

I agree with ROger about Brick Lane - I confess it's a favourite haunt of mine, the nipper and I visit most Sunday mornings; check out Brick Lane itself, the Truman Brwery, Spitalfieds market, which is a little further over, and Columbia Road. If you like coffee, you can get a coffee made by the world's champion Barista, 2009, at Present on Shoreditch High Street.

As far as ohter locations - sadly, you can't photograph it, but dfo make sure you go the the John Soane Museum . It's the most wonderful museum in London, architecturally distinguished - the house designed by the architect responsible for the Bank of England, as it was, with an amazing collection of Roman antiquities, some special Hogarth and Canaletto paintings, and the best museum guides in London.

And yes, the Beigel Bake is still open. Thse are mostly the nipper's photos, not mine, of Brick Lane a fortnight ago.

Gilbert, of Gilbert and George, wanders around most Sunday mornings.

Not as many good junk shops as there used to be, but still worth visiting...

Apart from one of the world's best beigel shops, Brick Lane also has the wordl's best ukulele shop, and Suck and Chew, London's best sweet shop (on Columbia Rd)

I also love peering in the window of this 50s-style beauty parlor, again on Columbia Rd.

 

[wintoid]

OK well Nunhead Cemetery is definitely off the beaten track and quite beautiful


img011 by wintoid, on Flickr

 

[Roger Hicks]

For cemeteries, Highgate in North London (Northern Line on the Underground - Archway station I think) is hard to beat. Karl Marx is buried there: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/10/highate_cemetery_feature.shtml

Cheers,

R.

 

[j j]

Photography restrictions around the London Eye are not about security and all about image rights, hence the restriction against so-called pro cameras (SLRs) and tripods. They do not want you selling/publishing photos; security is a red herring. Note that part of the Embankment around the Eye is privately owned and not a public place, so they can stop you taking photos.

The only other place I would expect trouble is Docklands (another non-public place). Some of the museums are anal, too. Avoid (inside) the National Portrait Gallery. My experience of the British Museum and Natural History Museum is entirely the opposite; they seem fine with photography.

Brixton market is a good one if you want to see non-polished London. I agree with a previous recommendation for Borough Market.

London has some amazingly photogenic pubs. This one http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1035.php has enormous stained glass windows of sporting heroes and camera shops nearby.

Have fun

 

[Sparrow]

For cemeteries, Highgate in North London (Northern Line on the Underground - Archway station I think) is hard to beat. Karl Marx is buried there: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/10/highate_cemetery_feature.shtml

Cheers,

R.

and Sir Richard Burton, of source of the Nile fame, in a stone Bedouin tent

 

[j j]

Oh yeah, forgot about the Tube. You are strictly not allowed to use flash, which seems reasonable (fire safety reasons; not causing fires, but causing confusion when monitoring for them, I was told). In my experience, you are very unlikely to be challenged for using a camera as you go about your day, but if you are conducting a photo shoot you need a permit. Permits are given out quite freely by London Underground, as far as I know.

 

[wgerrard]

I think the restriction is that one may not use 'professional' cameras without permission while riding the Eye.

So someone wants the commercial monopoly on "professional" photos of London taken while riding the Eye? I haven't had the patience yet to stand in line at the Eye, but do they have inspectors who check every passenger for cameras? Or, maybe camera marshals on each pod?

You would think that good photos taken from the top of the wheel's spin are some of the best free publicity for the Eye.

Very silly.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Photography restrictions around the London Eye are not about security and all about image rights, hence the restriction against so-called pro cameras (SLRs) and tripods. They do not want you selling/publishing photos; security is a red herring. Note that part of the Embankment around the Eye is privately owned and not a public place, so they can stop you taking photos.

The only other place I would expect trouble is Docklands (another non-public place). Some of the museums are anal, too. Avoid (inside) the National Portrait Gallery. My experience of the British Museum and Natural History Museum is entirely the opposite; they seem fine with photography.

Brixton market is a good one if you want to see non-polished London. I agree with a previous recommendation for Borough Market.

London has some amazingly photogenic pubs. This one http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1035.php has enormous stained glass windows of sporting heroes and camera shops nearby.

Have fun

And the Princess Louise on Holborn: 'gin palace' mahogany & brass bar, and an AMAZING gents' urinal.

Cheers,

R.

 

[wgerrard]

I really like this picture, Bill.

Hey, thanks. That's from October of last year on a very nice sunny day. With an R4M and the 35/1.2 and, most likely, Ektar.

To the OP's question: The Eye is just off one end of Westminster Bridge. Parliament is on the other end. The area is crowded with people, tourists and otherwise. The stretch along the Thames near the Eye has attracted vendors and business catering to the tourists. Those diminish as you walk west along the South Bank. But, because of the crowds, this area is good for pointing cameras at people, if you are inclined.

 

[JayGannon]

Camera shops:

Aperture/Camera Cafe

York Cameras

If you want nice pleasant discussion with people who know their stuff go to Aperture. But don't bring your credit card or much cash, I always seem to leave there with an empty wallet, amazing customer service, genuinely nice guys and make sure you sample the house special noodles.


If you want someone who thinks he is photographic god because he works in a camera store go to York.

York when I brough my D2X/D2H combo in last year for some info on where would give them a tidy up and sensor clean, proceeded to lecture me for half an hour on how useless they were and how I could never make it pro with them etc etc... I listened for a while then kindly let him know I've been a working photographer for a number of years and that I would take my business elsewhere. I wanted a CLA, not a lecture from a shopkeeper.

Kingsley Photographic on TCR is good too, great selection of comminsion sales and a nice Aussie bloke who knows his stuff in there too.

 

[Andy Kibber]

There's a photo book shop snappily entitled "Photo Books International" on Judd street I go past every day, I'm no expert on these things but they seem to have a good selection:

http://www.pbi-books.com/

Photo Books International is great. I also highly recommend Claire de Rouen books on Charring Cross Road.

Aperture Photographic (which others have mentioned) is a fun camera store. It's near the British Museum (on Museum St., I think? Near Oxford Street in any event). There are other camera shops in the area.

For wandering and taking photos, I'd suggest the markets. Lots of fun. Good food. Lots of people around. There's a different one pretty much every day. I also highly recommend a day trip to Brighton (about an hour by train from central London), which is one of my favorite places to wander around.

As for permits to take pictures on the tube, who knew? 🙂

 

[Andy Kibber]

Oh, one other thing. It's not really a photo destination, but if you go to London you really REALLY should visit the Sir John Soane museum near Lincoln's Inn Fields. It's unlike anything you'll see anywhere else.

 

[tombla]

There can be good views of from the Thames bridges. There is public foot bridge on either the side of Hungerford bridge which comes out of Charing Cross station. The north side bridge looks toward St Paul's Cathedral and the south towards "Big Ben" (actually the name of the bell, rather than the tower).

[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford_Bridge"]http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hungerford_Bridge-1.jpg
[/URL]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Bridge_(London)

Once in central London, it is often as quick to walk as get the underground. If you do not have access to electronic maps, the original (and best) London A to Z is fairly cheap and available at just about any news agent.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Stre...=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284491950&sr=8-4

 

[drew.saunders]

The Leica store in Mayfair is worth stopping by if you're in the neighborhood. It's tiny, but the two gents who were there when I stopped by were quite pleasant and let me play with an M9, 50/0.95 and 50/1.4, even though I showed up as a standard American Tourist with t-shirt and shorts (not a very "Mayfair" look). I put the 50/0.95 on my M6TTL and took a sample shot. I'm sure I could have played with the S2 and others if I had wanted to.

http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk/

Drew