Best Locations for Car Photography in London

1. Canary Wharf – Modern & Sleek Aesthetics

Why shoot here?

  • Futuristic glass skyscrapers create a high-end, cinematic feel.

  • Plenty of underground parking with moody lighting for dramatic shots.

  • Early mornings or late nights provide a quiet, clean backdrop with reflections off wet streets.

📍 Best spots in Canary Wharf:

  • Churchill Place Car Park (for neon-lit underground vibes)

  • Canada Square (for cityscape reflections on the car’s surface)

  • The crosswalk near One Canada Square (great for motion shots with blurred city lights)

Pro Tip: Avoid shooting during peak office hours when the area is busiest.

2. South Bank – London’s Iconic Landmarks

Why shoot here?

  • Offers incredible views of the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Thames.

  • A mix of modern and historic architecture for variety in your shots.

  • Great for both static shots and rolling shots with a city background.

📍 Best spots on South Bank:

  • The area around Gabriel’s Wharf (industrial mixed with city vibes)

  • Blackfriars Bridge (great for leading lines and long exposures)

  • The streets near The National Theatre (modern architecture for urban shoots)

Pro Tip: Early morning is best to avoid crowds and get clean shots of your car against the landmarks.

3. The Barbican – Brutalist & Industrial Vibes

Why shoot here?

  • Famous for its raw concrete architecture and tunnel-like structures.

  • Perfect for moody, cyberpunk-inspired photography.

  • Provides unique compositions using geometric patterns and leading lines.

📍 Best spots in The Barbican:

  • Beech Street Tunnel (underground, moody lighting, perfect for car headlights to pop)

  • Around the Barbican Centre (brutalist buildings create a cool urban atmosphere)

  • The walkways and staircases (for unique elevated angles)

Pro Tip: Play around with long exposures to capture light streaks in the tunnel.

4. Greenwich – Classic Meets Modern

Why shoot here?

  • A mix of historic elegance and waterfront views.

  • Open spaces for clean, minimalistic compositions.

  • The Thames provides a great backdrop for reflections.

📍 Best spots in Greenwich:

  • Greenwich Park (great for nature-meets-automotive photography)

  • The Old Royal Naval College (classic symmetrical architecture, great for showcasing luxury cars)

  • The Greenwich Foot Tunnel (low-lit moody shots with a long tunnel perspective)

Pro Tip: Sunrise or sunset at Greenwich Park gives an incredible golden hour glow.

5. Leake Street Tunnel – Graffiti & Urban Grit

Why shoot here?

  • The gritty, urban graffiti adds contrast and personality to car shots.

  • Low-light and tunnel effects create a cinematic feel.

  • The area is always evolving with new artwork, making every shoot unique.

📍 Best spot in Leake Street Tunnel:

  • The deepest part of the tunnel, where the most intense graffiti layers are found.

Pro Tip: Use artificial lighting or LED tubes to enhance the colors of the graffiti on your car.

6. Battersea Power Station – Industrial Chic

Why shoot here?

  • One of London’s most recognizable industrial landmarks.

  • Offers a mix of modern, restored buildings with old-school power station aesthetics.

  • A great location for capturing muscle cars, retro classics, or high-performance vehicles.

📍 Best spots in Battersea:

  • The roads surrounding the power station (for an industrial backdrop)

  • The new public square area (great for open-space shots)

  • Nearby bridges (for long exposure car trails)

Pro Tip: Night photography here works well due to the illuminated towers and surrounding city lights.

7. Alexandra Palace – Open Spaces & City Views

Why shoot here?

  • Offers some of the best panoramic views of London.

  • Plenty of open space, allowing for isolated car shots without distractions.

  • Perfect for sunset or night photography.

📍 Best spots in Alexandra Palace:

  • The main parking area (wide open shots with the city in the background)

  • The roads leading up to the palace (for dynamic rolling shots)

  • The green park areas (great for contrast with dark-colored cars)

Pro Tip: Bring a telephoto lens to compress the city skyline into your background.

Final Thoughts

London is full of hidden gems for automotive photography, whether you’re after sleek cityscapes, industrial backdrops, or open scenic shots. The key is choosing a location that matches the style of the car and the mood you want to create.

📍 Looking for professional automotive videography in London? Whether you need high-quality content for social media, brand promotions, or personal projects, I can help. Get in touch to book a shoot!

 

Back to blog