8 of the Best Locations in London for Street Photography
I’ve been photographing the streets of London for the past decade. I’ve been grateful when visiting other cities when local photographers have listed their favourite spots. So here are, in my opinion, the best London locations for Street Photography. The below list is in no particular order.
1 - Oxford Street
One of the all-time favourite spots for most London Street Photographers, Oxford Street is busy year-round with a wide range of people and interesting backgrounds with the storefronts. It also benefits from amazing light when the sun is out.
2 - Chinatown
A short walk south of Oxford Street you find yourself in Chinatown. A grid of a few streets filled with colour, interesting scenes and pockets of light to play with your camera. And if you’re looking for an amazing authentic Chinese meal in London, look no further. Just be warned that the menus can be confusing to navigate so I usually go for the lucky dip approach.
3 - The South Bank
One of my favourite street walks in London is along the south bank of the Thames. I recommend starting at Westminster Bridge and walking all the way to Tower Bridge. The walk can take 1-2 hours, depending on how often you stop for photos. You will pass the London Eye, South Bank Festival Hall, the Skate Park, the Tate Gallery (pop in for a look – it’s free), Millenium Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, and Borough Market.
4 - St James Park
My favourite of London’s multitude of parks for street photography is St James Park, which is situated in the centre of power in London. Around the park, you have Buckingham Palace, Government buildings in Westminster and arm barracks. While photo opportunities may not be as frequent as in other areas of London, St James Park does have its moments and can be a nice breather from the urban.
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5 - Soho
The vibrant and energetic streets of Soho, in London’s West End are a great location for street photography. There are loads of characters, colours and interesting scenes. If you enjoy shooting at night, Soho is a must to explore. The area becomes the heart of the celebrations during Pride weekend in the summer.
6 - Borough Market
Located at the southern end of London Bridge, Borough Market is London’s Oldest Street Food Market. In addition to the super tasty treats, the old market building and people hanging around create some great scenes for street.
7 - Picadilly Circus
Picadilly Circus is probably London’s most famous crossroads, with its big electric billboards. Picture a mini version of Times Square in New York. The crowds, open space and range of backgrounds offer a lot to play with.
8 - Westminster
The heart of power for the British Government, Westminster offers red phone boxes, bus stops and red London buses galore, with clean backgrounds that make isolating interest and layering easy.
