I’ve not had a huge amount of time to dedicate to photography this week. I did, however, find myself in Parliament Square in Central London early on Tuesday evening and that’s where I took this image.
This is the latest in my experiments with long-exposure photography. It’s such a classic location I couldn’t resist going for it.
Parliament Square is in the foreground just over the road and then in the top left corner you can see some of the pods of the London Eye above Portcullis House, to the right of that is Big Ben wrapped in scaffolding and the rest of the Palace of Westminster. Further to the right you can see some of Westminster Abbey.
I didn’t have my tripod with me so I had my camera perched on a pole by a zebra crossing. As you can see, lots of traffic was passing as it was rush hour and many buses were among the cars and vans, hence why so many of the lights seem to be in the sky.
If you blow the image up, the lights of the traffic are in incredible detail. Speaking of detail, the streets were heaving with people and yet I can only see one person on the right on the image. I can only assume she (I think it’s a woman!) was stood still for the whole 25 seconds.
To get serious for just a moment, I was in the area because I’d been to the Palace of Westminster for the launch of a report examining how bereaved parents and their dependent children are treated following a death. I wrote a blog post about it and while an uncomfortable subject, I’d recommend having a read as bereaved families have to tolerate shocking treatment.
36 thoughts on “Parliament Square on a winter’s evening”
Hi John, I do like this! I have yet to dabble in long exposure photography, but I have a tripod on order and then there’ll be no excuse. Wouldn’t it be funny if someone shared a photo of you taking a photo of Parliment Square as their Sunday photo? Maybe that’s what the woman was up to!
xx
Well who knows Debbie, maybe the mysterious woman to the right will produce an image of me one day! It is odd though, there were loads of people crossing the road right in front of me but not one blurry image in the final pic!
I LOVE this image John. It’s just says London to me, busy and bright. The trails are in the perfect place too. #MySundayPhoto
Thank you Tara. Gosh, so many positive comments! think I may struggle to top this! The trails are mostly buses and coaches.
What a brilliant photo. It’s such a fantastic location anyway, but the long exposure makes this image very special.
I think it works because I was stood right on a corner. I took a few shots right next to the traffic at 90 degrees and they just didn’t work.
Great shot I love these long exposure photos you are doing totally awesome mate #mysundayphoto
Taking a bit of practice Nigel but I think I’m getting some decent results! Thanks for commenting.
That’s a fantastic shot of Parliament Square. Love all the blurred lights of the traffic showing how busy it is.
Oh it was very busy. Right at the heart of rush hour. It was buses and coaches that produced the best light trails.
Wowsers this puts my efforts to shame! Great shot! #MySundayPhoto
Oh not at all. Glad you like the picture and thanks for commenting.
Another fab long exposure. I’ve always wanted to try this in central London somewhere
Thank you for linking up
Well now you know where to try it! Glad you like it Darren.
I love how close you got to the road with this shot, it makes me feel like I’m right in the middle of it! Hope you didn’t have to dodge too many cars! #MySundayPhoto
Ah, no, that’s an illusion. I was stood at a crossing so not in the middle of the traffic!
John I just love this, I love long exposure photos they have so much life in them that you can almost feel it. What a great result without a tripod too x
I did try in one or two other locations with the camera on a wall but I think this worked because it was on a corner where the traffic had to pass.
I love the light trail it is epic X #mysundayphoto
The light trail is great isn’t it? Can I say that and get away with it? Well i will anyway!
This is a blooming great capture. I love the light and speed. You’ve really captured the essence of London #mysundayphoto
It is quite a London-esque picture isn’t it? I think it benefitted from so many buses and coaches going round the square at rush hour. they produced the best lights.
I love the lights in the air, Abbey I was on one of those buses? Good that there is a report into bereaved families and their treatment an often overlooked subject
If you find me with my camera at Parliament Square again while on a bus, do wave!
That photo is fantastic…I love the trail of light.
I didn’t expect the lights to create such trails. It was because of my position on the corner I think.
Brilliant picture. #mysundayphoto
Thanks, very kind of you to ssay so. Glad you enjoyed the picture.
What wonderful photo. Fantastic location for a long exposure shot. Perfectly representive of bright, busy, bustling London!
Thanks Paul. I need to try and get another shot in a more Christmas-tastic location I think.
Brilliant effect you have created here. I love the lights and the ‘apparent’ lack of people.
I don’t think I realised I was stood at such a good spot. Right on the corner where the traffic turned. It worked well with their lights.
Really nice shot. I love doing long exposure photography. What gear do you use? #mysundayphoto
I have just took a star trail this week. First time doing it.
Oh excellent, I look forward to seeing the star trail. On this occasion no special equipment. A Canon EOS 100D and 18-55mm lens.
I love the long exposure shots. This is brilliant. Really captures how alive and busy London is.
Thanks Emma, quite a lot of this was down to luck!