I finally got to go up the Shard at the weekend, it might be expensive at £25 for a ride in a lift but the view was spectacular. I'd recommend that you go up before sunset and stay until it gets dark, it's the best way to get your moneys worth.....
I should warn you it's not an easy place to take photos, the reflections from the double (triple ?) glazed panels can make things a bit hit and miss. It helps to wear dark clothing and have a big lens hood... More shots to come once I've got round to processing them.
More of my favourite London shots : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/sets/72157622246523079
From Wikipedia : "The Shard, also referred to as the Shard of Glass, Shard London Bridge and formerly London Bridge Tower, is a 95-storey skyscraper in London that forms part of the London Bridge Quarter development. The Shard's construction began in March 2009; it was topped out on 30 March 2012 and inaugurated on 5 July 2012. Practical completion was achieved in November 2012. Its observation deck officially opened to the public on 1 February 2013."
Tags: UK - London - View from the Shard at night 01 panorama_DSC4231
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It got pretty busy at the top of the Shard around sunset, so much so getting a decent spot was hard. but the minute the set dropped behind the horizon about 90% of the people disappeared.
I'd highly recommend sticking around for a bit longer as once it starts getting dark the City spread out below really starts coming to life. In total I spent over two hours up there getting my moneys worth.....
More photos of and from the Shard : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/sets/72157634907018014
Tags: UK - London - View from the Shard - Sunset_DSC4198
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Another view from the observation deck of the Shard, this time along the Thames towards Canary Wharf at sunset. I liked the way it seems only the One Canada Wharf tower itself is catching the last rays of the Sun.
Tags: UK - London - View from the Shard - Towards Canary Wharf 02 sq_DSC4186
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The sunset during my trip up the Shard was good but a few more clouds would've added to the drama. Of course you should never photograph the Sun with a telephoto lens, here it was partly shielded but even so it was taken quickly as I didn't want to risk damaging my eyes.
More photo from and of the Shard : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/sets/72157634907018014
Tags: dgphotos
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This panoramic shot of the Olympic Park lit by the setting sun was taken from the Shards 72nd floor observation deck. This was taken on the Friday of the recent Anniversary Games, for all I know Usain Bolt could've been running at the time......
It was taken at the long end of my 70-300mm VR zoom, a lens which is unfortunately no more having dropped it last weekend. I'm borrowing an 80-200mm f2.8 which might become my replacement lens, just trying to work out if the loss of 100mm focal length (+VR) is compensated for amazing optical quality and a wider aperture. I've been offered the lens at a bargain price but it weighs a ton......
From Wikipedia : "On 13 October 2006, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games confirmed that it had selected Sir Robert McAlpine and HOK Sport (now known as Populous) to start exclusive negotiations with, in order to fulfil the eventual design and build contract of the new Olympic Stadium after no other organisations met the bidding criteria. The consortium was the team who delivered the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal F.C. The stadium design was launched on 7 November 2007. The architect, Populous, previously designed Wembley Stadium, the Millennium Stadium, the O2 Arena, the Emirates Stadium and Ascot Racecourse. The construction of the stadium was due to start in April 2008 ahead of scheduled commencement date of August 2008. Construction of the stadium commenced three months early in May 2008 after the bowl of the stadium had been dug out and the area cleared. The building of the stadium was completed in March 2011 reportedly on time and under budget, with the athletics track laid in October 2011."
Tags: UK - London - View from the Shard - Olympic Park panorama_DSC4178 panoramic panorama W I D E S C R E E N Olympic Stadium Stadium Olympic Park tratford London London 2012 London Olympics Olympics
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