TOWER BRIDGE

 By Alan Greeley  

 
The bridge from Tower Gardens 1.50 sec. @ F8.              Angle Shot 1.100 @ F11

As a worker in the City of London, I am fortunate in being able to get to Tower Bridge quite easily before business in the morning or during the lunch hour. Because my camera always goes with me, I have found that I have gradually collected together — almost unconsciously, it seems — my own personal photographic survey of London’s most distinctive bridge. The keen photographer will always avoid that “just another record shot” and will endeavour to produce an original and interesting picture. For instance, when nearing the Thames along the approach road to the bridge, I often stop for a moment to enjoy the unusual view obtained from one certain spot: from there you can no longer see the famous high towers and the characteristic shape of the bridge, but instead the four arches give an almost tunnel-like appearance to the whole structure. When I get right on to the bridge, the fun really begins. I am always telling myself not to be satisfied with taking merely a straight shot of the river — fascinating though it is. As you look around, you cannot help but marvel at the wonderful array of masonry, girders and “chains.” Therefore, the desired shot of the river can still be obtained, but made into a real eye-opener by including part of the bridge, using it almost as a frame or, if the section is interesting enough, even as the main subject. I deliberately tilt the camera provided I think the result will be an exciting angle shot; but this idea should not be used too often for it can easily become just a hackneyed stunt. I like to include people in most of my shots, but (especially in the lunch hour) one must take care that there are not too many: solitary figures seem to me to have a much more telling impact in a photograph. For that reason and also because of the better angle of lighting, I would say that the early morning is my favourite time of day for photography on the bridge. The longer shadows and glancing light certainly make for the most interesting and unusual picture. The exclusion or the suitable placing of traffic in such pictures as these is the result of patient waiting as well as a fair amount of luck. 

    
 Tower of London. 1/25 sec @ F11. FP3  The Gap. 1/200 sec @ F4.5. FP3  Pattern. 1/50 sec @ F5.6. FP3
 

Tower Bridge Page Two

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