London at night is no longer in a rush. Not a hush really but you can find yourself hearing whispers through glowing windows, reflections in the river, and even the traffic breathes slower, steadier, revealing mysteries that are not possible to see in the day. One falls in love even with London at dusk when the sun dips behind London’s historic skyline and a softer magic takes over. This is the time when walking through parts of London is like stepping into a living poem. The quiet thrill of possibility pulsates when the harsh lights of the day have dissipated. London is ready for strolls and some charming photography. Moments after dark were my favorite themes when we were staying in an apartment in Bermondsey in Southwark, barely five hundred yards away from Tower Bridge.
The mysteries beneath the streetlights can be any photographer’s delight. It does not matter if one is using a DSLR or a smartphone… yes, there could be a few limitations with phones, but I am sure that can be compensated by enthusiasm and patience. One evening, a few years back Pushkin, Monica, Specky, and I went out after dinner and in less than 10 minutes we were walking on Tower Bridge, which is often mistakenly called London Bridge by a lot of tourists. Capturing Tower Bridge and the London skyline from the bridge are probably the most preferred sites for photographs… but then there is always the Thames shimmering under the lights of Tower Bridge, the London Eye glowing against the skyline, West End theatres buzzing with emotions, Pubs and rooftop bars offering sweeping city views. There’s romance, history, and vibrancy in equal measure. London after dark is often calmer and more atmospheric — a fresh perspective on the iconic city.
London’s nocturnal spirit has stirred many poetic hearts. The most famous might be William Wordsworth, in his sonnet ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ (1802). Though technically set in the early morning, it captures that quiet magic before the city awakens:
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty…
And then there’s T.S. Eliot in ‘Rhapsody on a Windy Night’, evoking London’s moodier, shadowy side:
Twelve o’clock.
Along the reaches of the street
Held in a lunar synthesis…
If you are wondering if a mere smartphone will be able capture the charm of London at night that has inspired awe, melancholy, and mystery — a city of stories and silhouettes – I might as well add that even mid-range phones today can do this well. You have the option of using Night Mode though it brightens scenes quite unnecessarily or simply shoot by propping your phone on a stable surface. Remember to tap to focus to let your phone know where to meter the light. The best option is to shoot around twilight or the blue hour when the sky still has colour and lights have just turned on. Other tips may include the use of leading lines, and you may use bridges, streets, and rails for this. Capture reflections… both on the glass facades and the water bodies. I will be writing a separate article later about the joys of capturing reflections in London.
The city is well lit all over. No place is unsafe though it is better to remain aware and avoid secluded parks or alleyways. The public transport system here is better than the best definition that a tourist may have imagined. Night tube and buses run on weekends. It is not as if all the night lights worth capturing are around central London… there are gorgeous riverside walks and views of the Canary Wharf skyline from Greenwich. I have been to Hampstead heath and seen the stunning view of the city from its vantage positioning… never been there at night but have been told that a stroll up there on a moonlit night is magical. It is the same magic working in Richmond by the Thames. Camden or Shoreditch have vibrant night markets and street art that is unmatched anywhere else. If you are planning a night-lights of London itinerary, you could work around the sites about which I have already talked. Including Covent Garden to click street performers, get close to an emotions-filled buzz at Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Get Chinese lantern shots in China Town before crossing over to the South Bank for street musicians, riverside bars, and the Eye spinning in long exposure, silhouettes under bridges. You could try night cruises from Westminster. Clamber up one of the tall buildings in central London and get lovely night views from the top… you may need to have your bookings done for Sky Garden or Shard or get an alternative free viewing from Tate Modern new building. Obviously, smartphones too have pro-settings, and you could try taking a few final wide shots of the skyline. Low ISO, night mode, and steady hands.
When daylight is gone and night lights are on, London sings a different melody. Summer nights are different from the misty evenings of winter, and this city murmurs and meanders through different visual interpretations throughout the year. One visit in one season is never enough for London.
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Arvind Passey
Uploaded on 15 April 2025
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