Sony Alpha 7 II
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Lens (Sony)
Shutter Speed
0.5 sec
Aperture
f/7.1
Focal Length
14mm
ISO
50
Piccadilly Circus
@theliamman
Piccadilly Circus is one of London's most iconic attractions. For the last century, it's been an unmissable spot for people passing through — garnering over 100 million visitors every single year! It's a picture-perfect place to explore with your camera and tripod to capture the mood of the streets at night and the essence of the city.
Plan
Overview
Skill level
Easy
Accessbility
Public Location
Hours
Anytime
Fee
Free
Pack
- Wide-angle lens (14mm)
- Tripod
- Remote shutter
- Jacket
How to get there
N51° 30' 36.8172"W0° 08' 04.5204"
This photo of Piccadilly Circus was taken facing southwest while standing on the pavement next to Shaftesbury Ave. Once you're positioned, you should have your back to babyGap, with Regent St to the right and Piccadilly to the left.
Due to parking premiums in central London, it's best to catch the Underground to get to this location.
By London Underground:
-Closest station: Piccadilly Circus Station (via Bakerloo or Piccadilly Line)
- Exiting this station will place you in the center of Piccadilly Circus
- Head west on Coventry St/A4 toward Shaftesbury Ave/A401
- Turn right onto Shaftesbury Ave/A401
Tips
When to go
Best season
All months
Best time
Night
Piccadilly Circus can be visited year round, but you'll need to go to this location during, or after, heavy rainfall to photograph a similar reflection of the building in the street.
August and September have the heaviest amount of rainfall, so I recommend visiting then if you can. Also, by that time of year, the sun will set earlier, so you'll be able to arrive at a reasonable hour and have plenty of time to shoot.
At night, the city lights (especially from the big screen behind you) will provide the most contrast against the dark nighttime sky.
If you take this photo earlier in the evening, you won't be able to see the rain in the air.
Field tips
I used a very wide lens (14mm) so I could capture the full reflection of the building in the street.
A tripod is essential to get the motion of the red buses and the rain. Experimenting with different exposure lengths will allow you to see what works to get a familiar shot.
If you have a tripod where you can mount your camera upside down, it'll mean you can get very close to the surface of the puddle, which will give you the clearest reflection.
Current weather
London
Clear
47o
F
Sun
61o
41o
Mon
56o
42o
Tue
59o
42o
Wed
62o
45o
Thu
56o
46o
Blue Hour
05:05
47o
Clear
Sunrise
05:39
47o
Clear
Golden Hour
17:48
47o
Clear
Sunset
18:32
47o
Clear
Do nearby
Regent Street is filled with great photographic opportunities — especially with its symmetrical design. There are leading lines everywhere you turn, making for some interesting perspectives.
If you enjoy shopping, you'll discover that this area has some of the best high-end shopping in London.
For food, I recommend visiting the nearby Soho district because you can eat almost any type of cuisine you desire.
You can also wander down to Chinatown in about 5 minutes if you'd like to have a taste of some authentic Chinese dishes.
Locations nearby
