London Locations?

Discussion about locations, interesting or otherwise...
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Valerio Trigari
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London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:57 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hi there,

is there any location in London where I could go and use my view camera without being shouted at because I'm posing a security issue, or I don't have insurance, etc etc etc? In all honesty I'm getting really frustrated - and mighty annoyed - with being asked what I'm doing and why, every single time I use my tripod and camera... It makes me feel as if I am some sort of a criminal! :?

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Valerio
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Paul Mitchell » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:25 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Gosh... it's like asking how long is a piece of string?... there must be so many places in and around London. As long as you're in a public place and your tripod is not causing an obstruction you're pretty much free to photograph what you want. Just avoid all the camera police hotspots like the City, the South Bank etc. and you'll be fine. It's been over a year since I did any LF photography in London but the last time I did it was at West Brompton Cemetery... spent half a day there and wasn't bothered by anyone. Have also used my tripod to shoot Battersea Power Station from across the river here http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll= ... 6&t=h&z=19 There's a platform that juts out into the River which you can just make out to the right of the railway bridge.

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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:08 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hi Paul,

thanks for the hint, I've always been attracted by the Battersea Power Station and wondered if I could take pictures of it. Unfortunately my bad experiences with the tripod were all in the locations you mentioned. Security guards seem to be very afraid of tripods and have come with up with some of the most ridiculous reasons why I can't take pictures in a specific place... I never made a fuss, but it always turned my mood sour and left the place thinking that people are mad. ;)

Another location in London I'd love to photograph is inside Highgate Cemetery, which is near where I live. Unfortunately, it's clearly stated on the website that no photography with tripods is allowed :( Maybe it would be worth to email them and ask if they could make an exception, by explaining that I can't use my camera without a tripod. In the worst case scenario they'll say no.

Cheers,

Val
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Paul Mitchell » Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:59 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I don't think you'll get anywhere with Highgate as they won't budge on their 'no tripods' policy... have tried!

West Brompton is part of the Royal Parks where photography is allowed, as long as you're not doing it for commercial reasons

Paul
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:49 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:I don't think you'll get anywhere with Highgate as they won't budge on their 'no tripods' policy... have tried!
*big sigh* Why is there such a big issues with tripods?!? :? Did they give you a satisfactory reason why you were not allowed to use a tripod?
West Brompton is part of the Royal Parks where photography is allowed, as long as you're not doing it for commercial reasons
Do I need to ask permission to take pictures, or I can just go there? I live 5 minutes walk from Hampstead Heath and a park guard told me that I need to have written permission from the Corporation of London to take pictures with a tripod. Thankfully the guard was a photographer as well, and knew about LF cameras, so he didn't ask me to leave on the spot.
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Paul Mitchell » Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:39 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

The only way you can visit the cemetery is on one of their guided tours and it specifically states 'no tripods' http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/index.php/tours

West Brompton is part of the Royal Parks and doesn't have the same rules as the Corporation of London. As so long as it's not for anything commercial and you're not causing a nuisance you should be OK

Paul
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:44 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:The only way you can visit the cemetery is on one of their guided tours and it specifically states 'no tripods' http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/index.php/tours
Yep, I read all the info some time ago and was gutted to know that no tripods are allowed. Still, since I'm unbelievably stubborn and I never give up hope, I intend to write them and see what thay have to say. Probably it will be completely pointless, but you never know.
West Brompton is part of the Royal Parks and doesn't have the same rules as the Corporation of London. As so long as it's not for anything commercial and you're not causing a nuisance you should be OK

Paul
Cool, that's good news. Thanks Paul! :)
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Andrew Plume » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:36 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Valerio Trigari wrote:Hi there,

is there any location in London where I could go and use my view camera without being shouted at because I'm posing a security issue, or I don't have insurance, etc etc etc? In all honesty I'm getting really frustrated - and mighty annoyed - with being asked what I'm doing and why, every single time I use my tripod and camera... It makes me feel as if I am some sort of a criminal! :?

Cheers,

Valerio

Hi Valerio

Here's my few euros worth. Anywhere imo that's away from the Square Mile, 'Up West' or doesn't look as though it may be a likely terroist target, should be perfectly ok. The more pressing problem to me, is the one of personal security, under a dark cloth one is totally exposed, no deliberate pun there and it's solely for that reason why I do not make images in my preferred parts of, say East London or anywhere that's slightly dodgy too. To me, the way out is to have someone who will ride 'shotgun' with you for a day - there's nothing worse than feeling jumpy under a dark cloth when you're playing around with a composition

regards

andrew

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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:56 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Andrew Plume wrote:Here's my few euros worth. Anywhere imo that's away from the Square Mile, 'Up West' or doesn't look as though it may be a likely terroist target, should be perfectly ok. The more pressing problem to me, is the one of personal security, under a dark cloth one is totally exposed, no deliberate pun there and it's solely for that reason why I do not make images in my preferred parts of, say East London or anywhere that's slightly dodgy too. To me, the way out is to have someone who will ride 'shotgun' with you for a day - there's nothing worse than feeling jumpy under a dark cloth when you're playing around with a composition
Those are my precise feelings. A couple of times, while taking pictures along the Thames near St. Paul, a group of youths passed by making a lot of racket, saying things I didn't like at all and I felt far from comfortable... Nothing happened and I didn't look their way, but I didn't like it as I was alone. I think I need to find a buddy to go and take picture with! :)
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Andrew Plume » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:12 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Valerio Trigari wrote:
Andrew Plume wrote:Here's my few euros worth. Anywhere imo that's away from the Square Mile, 'Up West' or doesn't look as though it may be a likely terroist target, should be perfectly ok. The more pressing problem to me, is the one of personal security, under a dark cloth one is totally exposed, no deliberate pun there and it's solely for that reason why I do not make images in my preferred parts of, say East London or anywhere that's slightly dodgy too. To me, the way out is to have someone who will ride 'shotgun' with you for a day - there's nothing worse than feeling jumpy under a dark cloth when you're playing around with a composition
Those are my precise feelings. A couple of times, while taking pictures along the Thames near St. Paul, a group of youths passed by making a lot of racket, saying things I didn't like at all and I felt far from comfortable... Nothing happened and I didn't look their way, but I didn't like it as I was alone. I think I need to find a buddy to go and take picture with! :)

Thanks Val

I'm not at all surprised with what you've said but if, say, you're on the south side of the River facing St Pauls and between Southwark Br and Blackfriars Br on a decent day, there are plenty of people around to ensure that there is safety in numbers etc etc. Yes you do need a buddy, it's the only way of handling it and provides that extra amount of confidence

A few years ago, there was a pro photographer with a Technika shooting in Brick Lane, no problem for him, he had an entire team along for the trip

regards

andrew

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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:35 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:It's been over a year since I did any LF photography in London but the last time I did it was at West Brompton Cemetery... spent half a day there and wasn't bothered by anyone.
I went to Brompton Cemetery today, it was a lovely afternoon and no one bothered me. I think I can spend many afternoons there ;) I'm developing the sheets now and I hope I got some good shots.

Thanks again to Paul for his suggestion! :D

Val
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Charles Twist » Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:46 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I shoot a lot in Middlesbrough and Newcastle and don't have any problems. Yes plenty of rough-looking sorts, but (i) they're curious mainly and (ii) they've got no use for your gear and (iii) you can't run far with LF :? . The only thing you have to be wary of, I guess, is vandalism, which I have never even seen an inkling of. Try not to wear flashy clothes and a bulging wallet, and you'll be safe from muggers too.
Good luck!
Charles

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Re: London Locations?

Post by Paul Mitchell » Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:35 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Valerio Trigari wrote:
Paul Mitchell wrote:It's been over a year since I did any LF photography in London but the last time I did it was at West Brompton Cemetery... spent half a day there and wasn't bothered by anyone.
I went to Brompton Cemetery today, it was a lovely afternoon and no one bothered me. I think I can spend many afternoons there ;) I'm developing the sheets now and I hope I got some good shots.

Thanks again to Paul for his suggestion! :D

Val
Glad to be of help Valerio. My only gripe about WBC is that the health & safety police cordon off any mausoleum that has the slightest bit of masonry falling off... and they tend to be the most interesting one's!

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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:19 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Charles Twist wrote:Try not to wear flashy clothes and a bulging wallet, and you'll be safe from muggers too.
Good luck!
Charles
Thanks for the advice Charles.I definitely not wear any flashy clothes and my wallet is always tuck into an inner pocket of my backpack ;). However, my bright red dark cloth might attract some attention...
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Re: London Locations?

Post by Valerio Trigari » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:21 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:My only gripe about WBC is that the health & safety police cordon off any mausoleum that has the slightest bit of masonry falling off... and they tend to be the most interesting one's!
Yes, I did notice that... Still, there's plenty to take photos of there.
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