As it was hot and sunny for once, I wanted to do another walk-about shoot, so I contacted Carmella Brown, whom I had worked with before in a studio shoot and a couple of times while they were on stage performing cabaret. As per usual I arrived around 40 minutes before Carmella arrived. So I had a slow walk around the cable car and took a couple of shots.
I had been here over ten years ago and the area had been built up quite a bit. There were far too many people wanting to be hauled up over the dock so I decided to skip that part of the walk around. I had with me my Sony α7iv and the Sigma 28-70 f2.8 lens. I also had the Sony 85mm f1.8 but that is more of a portrait lens and I wanted a lot of background in these shots, where the f1.8 aperture would have blurred a lot out.
As I shifted my position slightly, I captured a photograph of our planned route for the day. Our intention was to explore the northern section of the dock, ascend the stairs, cross the bridge, and return along the southern bank. Just as Carmella joined me, ready to begin our photography session, the roar of an airplane from the nearby London City airport resonated through the air, sparking an intriguing idea within me.
Adding an intriguing tidbit, the airplane that soared above us happened to be a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 with the registration LX-LQA, arriving at London City Airport from Luxembourg. However, as per the latest information from Flightradar24, at the time of writing, it has returned to Luxembourg once again.
As we strolled along the northern bank, engaged in lively conversations about shows and photography, our attention was drawn to a vibrant congregation of Cosplayers near the large floating hotel close to the bridge. We skillfully maneuvered around the plastic weaponry, eye-catching costumes, and an assortment of Marvel characters, only to discover that the lifts at the bridge were out of order. Undeterred, we trudged up the stairs, reaching the summit where more Cosplayers sat, engrossed in conversation, adorning the bridge.
In the distance, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be someone creatively Cosplaying as a plank. However, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be another photographer lying down, capturing shots of a remarkable Spider-Woman impersonator. While cautiously navigating the bridge, the occasional creaking of the boards, coupled with the relentless eastern wind, momentarily startled me, prompting a brief introspection about my presence at such heights. Nevertheless, the breathtaking panoramic views of London served as a reminder of why I embarked on this adventure.
The gusts of wind added a dynamic flair, causing Carmella's dress and hair to dance around. Spotting another plane approaching from the west, I eagerly attempted to align it directly overhead, but my efforts fell far short. In a moment of resignation, I found myself reclining against the central portion of the bridge. I couldn't help but wonder if passersby mistook me for an eccentric Cosplayer portraying a plank.
Undeterred, we pressed forward, passing by more peculiar characters as we made our way to the South Bank. Taking advantage of a convenient spot beneath one of the towering cranes, we paused to capture a series of shots. Thanks to the Sony α7iv's tilting screen, I could comfortably position myself close to the ground while maintaining a clear view of the composition I was capturing.
Continuing along the bank, we encountered more cranes dotting the landscape. It was at this point that Carmella came up with the idea of using one as a climbing frame. Initially, I had reservations about the idea, concerned about potential safety risks and my less-than-stellar track record in catching a thrown ball. However, considering that we had just ventured 50 feet up in the air on the bridge, a mere couple of feet seemed relatively harmless. With cautious steps, Carmella ascended the precarious 36 inches and struck a graceful pose on the sturdy girders.
It was during this impromptu photoshoot that we captured the highlight of the day. The resulting image showcased the perfect combination of Carmella's poised stance and the intricate lines of the girders converging gracefully behind her head, creating a truly remarkable shot.
Wrapping up our exploration around the dock, we had the opportunity to witness the entertaining sight of a couple of water skiers gracefully plunging into the water, adding a touch of excitement to our day. To conclude the photoshoot, we couldn't resist the classic and obligatory "standing against a wall" shot, and building upon that, we proceeded to capture a series of shots where we sat down, with Carmella gazing into the distance, creating a reflective and contemplative mood.
I really enjoyed this quick run and gun type shoot, again this was circa 2 hours but a fun shoot! The sun was out, we had a good laugh and there was a small amount of danger involved.
You can find Carmella on Twitter at CarmellaBrown91