The Gherkin
This building is 180 metres tall and it’s official name is 30 St Mary Axe in London. The building gained it’s name before construction started due to it’s unorthodox appearance on the drawing board. Construction actually started in 2001 and completed in December 2003, officially opening in May 2004. Located on the former site of the Baltic Exchange the building dominates the surrounding area and is a significant feature of the City of London landscape.
Lloyds of London from Leadenhall Pl.
This shot was taken from the rear of the building, Leadenhall Place. Out of all the shots I took in the “Square Mile” of London the Lloyds Building is still the one fascinating me in terms of photographic impact.
At the moment the building is undergoing some refurbishment so much of it has scaffolding – although some would say it would be hard to notice.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO100, 17mm, ev0, f/8, 1/500
Tower 42
The original name for Tower 42 was the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank’s International Division.
The Tower is located at 25 Old Broad Street in the City of London. Opened in 1981 it was the tallest building in the United Kingdom until replaced by One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, in 1990. The title of tallest building will soon be taken by the Shard.
Today the building is home to multiple tenants and comprises office space and restaurants. Notably, Gary Rhodes has his Michelin starred Rhodes Twenty Four restaurant located not surprisingly on the 24th Floor.
I took this shot from what I thought was an interesting and unusual angle from directly below the building, this leaves off the the very distinctive top of the building but gives a different perspective to the iconic tower.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO 100, 53mm, 0ev, f/5.6, 1/640
Lloyds of London
I went into the City of London today to take pictures of some of the iconic architecture, specifically the newer office buildings. Lloyds Insurance building has a reputation as not being the prettiest of buildings but it sure is interesting.
The building was built between 1978 and 1986. It was considered innovative because the architect provided its services such as staircases, lifts, electrical power conduits and water pipes on the outside. This left an uncluttered space inside but the impact of the building was not to everyone’s taste with Prince Charles famously referring to it as a “monstrous carbuncle on the face of an old friend”.
The twelve glass lifts were the first of their kind in the UK.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO 100, 17mm, ev0, f/8, 1/100
St Paul’s Cathedral – iPhoneography
I took this photo from my favourite location for shooting St Pauls. The mirrored surfaces of the building are perfectly placed and on this day the clouds were helping me too.
This shot came from my iPhone 4, one day I must take my DSLR along to this location.
