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BigBen a Familiar View

Shot just after a thunderstorm, which made for great colours in the clouds and some reflections on the stones from the rain....
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Shot just after a thunderstorm, which made for great colours in the clouds and some reflections on the stones from the rain.
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Jun, 2016

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken from an archway on the River Thames Path in London, just beneath Westminster Bridge. I happened on the location for the shot quite by chance. A few minutes before this shot was taken the evening weather was fine and I was shooting from the path on the river's edge but then a huge thunderstorm with heavey rain came over; I then retreated into the cover of the archway, it was then that I noticed how great the archway framed my shot, so I shot a few frames between the many pedestrains using the path.

Time

People always ask what time of day this shot was taken, I think the answer lies within the scene!

Lighting

I love shooting in the city around sunset when the street lights just come on but remain subdued. Also the colours in the sky and clouds at sunset can be dramatic around this time in the evening, especially after a rain storm. I also like to capture reflections in puddles which can help lead the eye through a shot and provide more depth. You'll notice the light from the street lamp is reflecting off the damp stone pathway, this helps lift the textures and gives foreground interest.

Equipment

I used a Nikon D5200 with the Nikon17-55 f2.8 lens on a Manfrotto tripod and cable release.

Inspiration

I really like wandering along the Thames path during the day or at around sunset. London is so inspiring for photographers, with the great sense of history and architecture as well as the London weather you can't fail to get a great shot.

Editing

This shot is made up from three exposures, so I guess you can call it an HDR shot, although I never like to overcook the HDR effect. I bracketed at +2eV, 0eV, -2eV and combined them using Lightroom. Using a bracket here was the only way to get the detail in the clouds as well as the archway. I brushed in additional clarity on the buildings as well as the stone path.

In my camera bag

It depends on what I'm shooting. If I'm shooting sports or fast movement then it has to be my Nikon D610 with the trusted 24-7- f2.8 Nikon lens. However, I've recently been using my Sony A7mk2 for landscapes with either the Zeiss 28 f2 lens. I also carry a selection of Lee filters - Big & Little Stopper and I have a set of ND Grads and a polariser. I also have two Manfrotto tripods, one is the BeFree carbon fibre which I take when I'm hiking or venturing out on the bike, the other is heavier with a geared head so not easy to carry on long trips.

Feedback

Know your location and where the light will be at the time you're shooting. For capturing really sharp images you need a good stable tripod. To prevent camera movement use a cable release and if the camera has a mirror, use the mirror lock-up feature (if not use a timed delay of 2 seconds to help keep things stable). Also, for ultra sharp images use a prime lens and keep the lens stopped down to f8 or f11. Shooting at your cameras lowest ISO will help prevent any digital noise. I would also recommend a set of ND Grads and a polarising filter to maintain details and balance the tones in the sky and shadows. In the cold winter always carry spare batteries in your pockets as they drain quicky in the cold, especially when doing long exposures!

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BigBen a Familiar View

Shot just after a thunderstorm, which made for great colours in the clouds and some reflections on the stones from the rain.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow PottersPics

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Shot just after a thunderstorm, which made for great colours in the clouds and some reflections on the stones from the rain....
Read more

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