Hey, it’s my birthday, and I’m celebrating with a high-contrast, long-shadow visual treasure hunt around London. What better way to mark the occasion than a photo walk through the city?
It’s early January, and I couldn’t have picked a more picture-perfect day. Crisp wintery blue skies, a bitingly cold breeze, and that low, golden winter sun—it was like nature herself had set up a giant softbox just for me. Perfect conditions for dramatic contrast, long shadows, and plenty of atmospheric shots. I decided to travel light, armed only with my trusty iPhone 15. No bulky cameras or heavy gear to weigh me down. Just me, the city, and a pocket-sized creative powerhouse.
First stop: London St Pancras station. From there, I strolled over to Coal Drops Yard, one of my favorite spots for urban photography. Let me tell you, I’ve never been more thankful for my hat and gloves—it was freezing. But as long as I kept moving, I managed to stay toasty. The lighting was perfect for those dramatic long-shadow shots I’d been dreaming about. Every corner seemed to offer something—crisp lines, stark contrasts, and that unmistakable winter light. It’s amazing how once you start focusing on a theme (in my case, high-contrast black-and-white images), your eye automatically hones in on the right scenes.
Birthday treat. After a Tesco meal deal, it was off to Brewdog for a well-earned pint!
After soaking up Coal Drops Yard, I meandered through some of London’s most photogenic streets. Zigzagging my way towards The Photographers’ Gallery, I stopped to browse their brilliant book and gift shop. It’s a treasure trove for any creative soul. Next, a quick pit stop: a Tesco meal deal for fuel and a birthday beer at Brewdog to toast myself. Because hey, it’s not a proper birthday without a celebratory drink, right?
Recharged, I made my way to The National Portrait Gallery. It’s been years since I last visited, and oh, how I’ve missed it. Wandering through the gallery, I was mesmerized by the sheer variety of portraits. From oil and watercolour to pencil and photography, from enormous canvases to tiny, intricate sketches—every piece had a story to tell. It’s fascinating to think about the interaction between artist and sitter, the moments of connection captured in every brushstroke or click of the shutter.
With my art fix sorted, I braved the cold once more. There was still plenty of light left, so I wandered through Soho, Chinatown, Regent Street, and Oxford Street. The beauty of shooting with an iPhone is the freedom it gives you. Quick, discreet, and always ready to capture the moment. But—a word to the wise—London’s cold can be brutal on your phone battery. By early afternoon, I was down to 18%, and my portable charger became my best friend. Crisis averted.
I’d set myself a creative challenge for the day: focus entirely on high-contrast black-and-white photography. Having that intention added a fun layer to the walk, turning it into a kind of visual treasure hunt. Instead of snapping away aimlessly, I was searching—for light and shadow, texture and tone. It kept me engaged and made the day feel like an adventure.
By late afternoon, it was time to head home. On the train back, I scrolled through the day’s captures and was thrilled with what I’d managed to get. Some of the images had that wow factor, and I couldn’t wait to dive into Lightroom and Photoshop to bring them to life.
All in all, it was a fantastic birthday. A one-man photo walk through London, with a self-imposed creative challenge, plenty of visual inspiration, and just the right amount of cold to keep me moving. Here’s to more adventures, more photos, and many more birthdays spent doing what I love.
A short video of the images I took on my photo walk around central London
The Shortbread Shed 