ANDY’S TOP TEN TIPS
1 Pack light, travel right
Be sure to carefully pack your bag before your shoot and only take the essentials. Discreet urban photography backpacks and shoulder bags are great for keeping a low profile.
2 Location, location, location!
Andy knows London like the back of his hand, yet he’s always finding new and exciting places to photograph. When he comes across a great location, he’ll make a note of the GPS coordinates.
3 Use a mini tripod or beanbag
It’s not always possible to use a tripod in big cities, as security can be pretty quick to move you along. A beanbag or tripod can be a more subtle way of achieving those long exposures, however.
4 Know your rights
You have the right to take pictures if you’re standing on a public footpath, as long as you’re not obstructing it. So be sure to look out for markers on the pavement that denote which parts of walkways are private and which are public.
5 Shoot in the best light
Maximize your chance of perfect light by starting at sunrise and finishing after sunset (if possible) to capture the golden hour and blue hour. Also look out at night for traffic for long-exposure shots.
6 Break for lunch
Keep some power bars and a drink with you to help fend off hunger and stay out shooting for as long as you need to. Take breaks around midday, when the sun will be directly overhead and creating unflattering high-contrast light on buildings.
7 Bring a friend
Photography can often be more enjoyable when shooting with a friend and what’s more they’ll be able to share equipment and ideas, as well as help you to stay safe in a large city like London.
8 Bring spare memory cards and batteries
You never want to end a shoot prematurely because of a flat battery, or a full memory card, so be sure to carry plenty of spares with you for the trip. Also, fully charge those batteries the night before.
9 Dress street smart
Try and blend into the city environment as much as possible, so you don’t stand out, especially if you’re trying to get candid shots of bystanders.
10 Get to popular tourist locations early
Locations that are known for great images at sunset or sunrise are often very popular and can see large numbers of people turning up. To beat this, arrive early to claim your spot.