Tranquility at Tower Bridge
This was taken at 4.20am on Midsummers night last year, the most peaceful I have ever seen this location. Waiting for sunrise but with overcast skies I think th...
Read more
This was taken at 4.20am on Midsummers night last year, the most peaceful I have ever seen this location. Waiting for sunrise but with overcast skies I think the mood and atmosphere was just as beautiful
Read less
Read less
Apr, 2015Views
998
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 20 rank week 2Top 20 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Top 20 rank
Categories
Premium
sarahmirkin
August 27, 2015
Awesome shot! This one must have been featured, because I loved reading the behind the shot information. Very informative and interesting!
PRO
marcdewitt
December 10, 2016
This is beautiful! You are a dedicated photographer to be out there waiting at 4:20 am!!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was taken by More London Riverside by City Hall in London, facing East across the river Thames towards Tower BridgeTime
I took this shot during an all night photowalk I did last year on Midsummers night. It was actually taken at 4.22am at day breakLighting
We were expecting (or hoping for) an amazing sunrise but it was obscured by hazy low lying clouds which I actually think made for a really interesting natural light. I love to shoot at this time of day when buildings are still illuminated by artificial light yet daylight is starting to come through during golden hour.Equipment
This was shot using my Nikon D7100 with my favourite lens which is a Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 wide angle lens. This is a 2.5 second exposure at ISO:100 so I needed to use a tripod. I use a sturdy Giottos tripd with a Manfrotto 3-way head for maximum maneuverabilityInspiration
I was inspired by the light and the stillness of the water. It is rare to see the River Thames this calm and ripple free as it is usually a busy waterway but at this time in the morning it is beautiful. I love the light and that the moon is still visible. When I saw the scene I was hoping to capture a timeless moment which would reflect London at it's most tranquil and peaceful.Editing
I don't use Photoshop so I don't layer or blend my shots at all. I use Lightroom to edit my work. In this case I have decreased the highlights a little, increased shadows and clarity as well as vibrancy. I always shoot in Raw as this gives me more control over post processing. In this case I have altered the white balance as the original feel was a little cold so shooting in Raw was essential in order to do that. I also sharpened the image and did a final crop. And that is usually my post processing work flow.In my camera bag
My trusty Nikon D7100, along with my Sigma 10-20mm lens, a 50mm prime lens, my Samyang Fisheye. I recently borrowed a Sigma 18-35 F1.8 lens and am planning to get one which would then replace my standard 18-55mm kit lens. I usually carry an array of filters. I use Tiffen Filters in the main and am currently using a new XLE Apex ND filter which is a 10 stop...I love this! I have polarisers too but I the main I would be using 10 stop ND filters for daytime long exposures or shooting at night without them. I always carry a mini torch, and a lens cloth, spare batteries, spare memory cards ( I have had one fail before so that's essential)...and a pair of gloves...I often shoot at night and it can get chilly!Feedback
Try shooting at first light. Sunrise and the hour before it, and sunset and the hour after it are my absolute favourite times to shoot. A good photographer friend of mine said to me "It's all about the light Heather, it's all about the light" and I agree! Be patient the weather can change in a heartbeat so when you are looking for that perfect sunrise don't be put off by clouds, put an ND filter on and try catching cloud movement instead. Play around with exposure times and try longer exposures even if it's new to you, it's a fascinating genre of photography to master. I would also urge anyone new to photography to get out with other photographers. I have learnt so much by going on photowalks with other photographers, that experience is priceless. I am also conscious of my safety when shooting at night so prefer to be shooting with a couple of other people, it is wise to be vigilant.
