iconic sights & reflections
Find an original angle in a familiar scene to create more abstract images
Sometimes buildings are so iconic it would be a crime not to capture them in all their glory. Take London’s Houses of Parliament here, seen from across the Thames – the splendour of the edifice and the reflection in the river make for a scene that anyone with a camera would find impossible to ignore. And that’s part of the problem. It can be hard to find an original take on a scene that’s been done to death. Shooting the structure at night is one option, as the building is defined by its own lights and those surrounding it, without the distraction of daylight. But if you want to go further, why not turn your attention to a part of the scene and exclude everything else for something more original?
Look at the way the lighting affects different parts of the scene in our shot. You could, for example, zoom in to isolate one of the floodlit facades, the shape of the roof against the dark sky, or the details in the brickwork. If you want something a little more mysterious, look for details that, when isolated, transform the building into abstract art. Here we focused on Big Ben’s reflection in the Thames, turning one of the most recognisable structures in the world into an abstract array of colours and shapes. It’s a fun challenge you can set yourself that forces you to think beyond capturing the postcard-perfect scene. It’s not for everyone, but it can reap rewards...