Tower Bridge at Sunset

Tower Bridge crosses the Thames beside the Tower of London in central London, England, and is one of the city's most photographed landmarks. Completed in 1894, the Victorian combined bascule and suspension bridge has two Gothic towers linked by high-level walkways, painted blue and white. The classic sunset photograph is taken from the south bank, on the riverside path near City Hall and the Scoop, where the bridge fills the frame with the Tower of London and the City skyline behind it. Other good vantage points include Butler's Wharf on the south side, the Tower Wharf walkway on the north bank, and the Queen's Walk. At golden hour the stonework glows and the Thames reflects the sky, and after sunset the bridge is lit in blue and white, creating strong blue-hour images. The Tower Bridge Exhibition runs through the towers and the glass-floored high-level walkways, and the Victorian engine rooms are open to visitors. The bridge opens for river traffic several times a week, and lift times are published online, which can add a dramatic shot. Photographing the bridge takes 30 minutes to an hour. Foot traffic is heavy at weekends and on summer evenings, with tripods hard to use on the busy path, so weekday evenings are calmer. A wide-angle lens helps capture the whole span with the towers, and a telephoto shows the details from further along the bank. Hay's Galleria and More London offer cafes nearby.