Photoshoot with Charlie

From the derelict IKEA towers to the high rise buildings of the central business district, Croydon is one the busiest areas in London and is the perfect place for urban photography. The area is undergoing major redevelopment, and is littered with numerous construction sites and skyscrapers, adding to the rustic inner-city feel. This provides the faultless dramatic and intense scenery which I love not only as a photographer, but as a resident who gets to enjoy the scenery around him every day.

View from the Allianz building in East Croydon

Canary Wharf: A contrast to Croydon

An urban landscape can be used as symbolism. Depending on how it is used, it could represent masculinity in a model, or strength and energy or even the tension in a situation. However one thing to notice is that Croydon's urban landscape varies from others such as Canary Wharf. Canary Wharf has a very upper class feel to it, with glass and steel dominating the eye. Croydon on the other hand has a run down feel in parts, with it's skyscrapers built in the 1960s and 1970s as it developed it's service sector (sorry for the geography lesson!). However, Croydon does have it's affluent parts, and this offers the diversity that a photographer can explore when composing an image, and the freedom to choose, and not limited to a certain landscape. A few minutes walk and your in easy reach of some new buildings such as Saffron Square.  

Charlie at Centrale car park

Charlie and I started off shooting at Centrale shopping centre car park. From the top floor, you have access to a 360^O view of Croydon, and an additional bonus of the top floor is that usually the car park is completely empty. 

In the distance: Croydon Parish Church and a tram running through the streets

                                             

View from Centrale car park

I do love the mini adventure that is exploring a new city or area, and I hope you'll agree with me. I'm not going to give anything else away, and now it's up to you to go explore to find some great spots in Croydon.



But here are some tips for your journey. 
1. Make sure you take a fast train from either London Victoria or London Bridge otherwise the journey will be considerably longer! (the fares are the same if you were wondering)

2. I suggest you get off at East Croydon (Zone 5)

3. I wouldn't suggest South Croydon for urban photography



Happy exploring!

Anparasan

PS: Watch out for the trams :P