ray . Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Hey all, Last few days I've started getting a little lonesome for Europe... last trip was 14 years ago. I've been to both London and Madrid among many other places, and those are a couple of the cities that I loved and figure either destination once again would be a winner. I'd spend about 2 weeks and stay in the city of choice except for a few day trips. Of course one of the biggest reasons for me to go is to do some street shooting. I might be doing some people shots but for the most part city scapes (some with people at a distance), architectural details, and shop windows and the like have been my mainstay for awhile now. I know both cities have great museums; the Prado might be my favorite in the world. London has the advantage for me as far as being language friendly, so that's an extra incentive there. What should I be aware of and what's of note in these cities at this particular time? I'm thinking possibly mid-September if I go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_j2 Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 <p>Photography is not allowed in most of the museums for London and Madrid. The London museums are free. Madrid museums are not free.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin carron Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>As far as I am aware photography for personal use is allowed in many London museums . Normally no tripods and sometimes no flash are allowed but you can check on the individual websites. The only London museum I can think of which bans all photography is the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. And, annoyingly, St Paul's Cathedral as well. There may be others. London Art Galleries usually prohibit photography.<br> Here is a 2011 discussion about this subject on the TripAdvisor website :<br> http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k4639106-o20-No_photography_allowed_which_ones-London_England.html</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>Better weather, warmer people, cuter chicks, sexier language, tastier meals, guess which one I'm thinking;) </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>On the other hand...I love diversity, communication is more than helpful, and subdued lighting is a plus for street photography. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray . Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 Good comments Leslie, good food for thought. :) Thanks Peter, Colin; though I'm not really planning on photographing in museums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_stobbs3 Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 It's not really a vacation if they speak English. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsignore_ezio Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>"sexier language,...."?</p> <p>Leslie, I would'nt certainly want to even start questioning your perception of "sexy language" (or of sex as such for that matters), but: Castellano (they don't speak Spanish in Spain; that's only for the colonies) is an exceptionally rich, but also very dry and sober, not to say somber, language - fully reflecting the true nature of the Spaniards, beyond the apparent superficial merriness. This language is perfect to say things such as the motto on blades of the swords of Spanisih knights, "No me saques sin razón, no me envaines sin honor - Don't unsheat me without reason, don't put me down without honour". But, sexy? Certainly not in my own view of sexuality.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>I'm not a Spanish speaker, therefore all Spanish types sound similar to me. If I try really hard, I could probably distinguish Cuban, Argentine and Mexican accents...but I'd not bet on it. To average Americans, Mexican Spanish is probably defacto Spanish. But, yes, you are correct, Spain Spanish is more dry and sober relatively. </p> <p>Now, Bonsignore, all mandarin sound similar to you, I would guess, no? You wouldn't want to discuss the minute differences between Sichuan Mandarin, Shanghai Mandarin, and Beijing Mandarin, or say, Cantonese, would you? <br> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>FWIW and IMHO...</p> <p>Sexy languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean<br /> Neutral: English, Cantonese, Thai, Malay <br />Non sexy: Swedish, Vietnamese, Khmer, German</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant_nio_gomes Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>Nice chat but it seems the OP doesn't seem to be what we can call a linguistic sexual tourist... lol<br /> Back to serious stuff, I don't know about present situation but some time ago there were reported problems for street and building photographers in London and in the UK, with the police and private security rising problems.<br /> It doesn't mean it can prevent you from going there but maybe it should be of interest to investigate how things are now and the precautions to take to avoid arguments that can spoil your vacation.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tudor_apmadoc Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I was at the national gallery in May, they ban all photograpghy throughout the museum. Westminster abbey doesn't allow photography, in the main church, but the nave area was ok. Last time I was at Canterburt (short train ride out of London) they allowed photography. q=Canterbury&w=52027561@N00 Speakers corner on Sundays are always great q=Speakers%20corner&w=52027561@N00 The tube is great for architecture. q=London%20tube&w=52027561@N00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>They are completely different cities: it is bad to have to choose. Do you want heat and bright sun, or more temperate, highly changeable weather (softer and/or overcast)? The food must come into it too. London is more cosmopolitan (a world city) and bigger, but there is perhaps less spectacle on the street than Madrid.</p> Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panayotis_papadopoulos Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>Ray,<br> If I may suggest, since you already been in London & Madrid, have you given any thought of visiting some other European cities? Or it's the feeling "I want to go back again..."<br> Street photography that seems to be of importance to you is becoming very multinational and colorful on September in Europe, especially in known touristic destinations.<br> Well, whatever your decide I wish you the best of times there. Cheers!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francisco_salaquanda Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <p>Two weeks in Paris, renting a small apartment in Montmartre, croissants for breakfast, all the sights, Versailles, Loire Valley. Madrid doesn't come close.<br> London is great too, but the "city of light" beats them all for a photographer.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 <blockquote> <p>If I may suggest, since you already been in London & Madrid, have you given any thought of visiting some other European cities?</p> </blockquote> <p> <br> Madrid and London will take months to thoroughly explore. It's not about seeing the most places, it's about seeing. Why be a tourist when you can be a visitor?<br> <br> I have loved every visit to Spain and find it easier to shoot there than London. People are relaxed on the street in a way they aren't in London. I love the people...<br> <br> <center><img src="http://spirer.com/spain/food/images/sausagelady.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /><br><i>Sausage Lady</i></center></p> Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_south Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 In either case, plan to do a lot of trips outside of the city - day trips and overnight excursions - in order to multiply your photo and tourism opportunities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano_ferreira Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>If you've already been to Madrid, why not go for a different destination instead, one which is not too far from the Spanish capital? Come to Portugal and visit Lisbon and Oporto. Both cities have great museums and phantastic photo oportunities. By the way, the language will be no problem; English is understood and spoken everywhere.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>Might consider Paris.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_south Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>From Madrid, one could branch out to Toledo and Barcelona and many other points of interest. The country is full of UNESCO World Heritage sites. From London, there are many possibilities: Oxford, Cambridge and Ely, Windsor Castle, Canterbury, Salisbury, Bath, Stonehenge, Cornwall, Stratford-upon-Avon, York, the Lake District, and further north into Scotland.</p> <p>France and Italy have endless photo opportunities. Switzerland, Austria, Scotland, Norway, and southern Germany are known for their natural beauty. Stockholm, Copenhagen, Prague, Amsterdam, and Vienna are amazing cities. Greece, Turkey, and Croatia are beautiful and full of history. I agree that Portugal is an excellent destination. There's a lot to see and the distances from point to point are very manageable. Belgium and Slovenia are other examples of small but scenic country.</p> <p>Just about any country in Europe will offer amazing photo potential. Wherever you go, you'll have lots to see.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikelgondra Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 As some other responses said, both cities are brilliant and wonderful for a photographer and you could enjoy strong sides of each. Let me give you some ideas. I have been in London (both working in the city and visiting it as a tourist) around 20 times and more than double in Madrid (obviously I am closest to Madrid, I live in Bilbao, north of Spain, Basque Country). Madrid is, of course, more "latin", warmest city, friendly people, better weather than London (but be careful in some months like June-July-August when could be extremely hot and discomfortable in the street at noon), Museums are very big and well known (not only Prado, but Thyssen-Bornemisza is fantastic too and other smaller museums); in these very big cities I would recommend trying to find the "small" individual places, not only the 30 or 40 places underlined in all tourist guides but those 200 or 300 places that you find simply walking around the city, both in the down town and also in other interesting areas. If you spend more than 3-4 days in the city, I would recommend to stay one or two days in some small villages around Madrid, but going up to the "Sierras " around the city (that means some mountain chains mostly oriented North of Madrid, but also to other directions). Please, do not discuss that gastronomy quality in Madrid is much better than in London, except if you are asking for a nice beer. London is another of my very favourite cities: when I think about "british style" surely I am mostly thinking about some images of London: the river and Administration (City Hall, Parliament Houses, Military buildings,...) give a nice "formal" atmosphere to the city, but, on the other side, going walking from very different areas like Portobello or Candem Town (full of pretty pubs and indian/asian restaurants), Hyde Park, Oxford/Regent streets, Thames bit bridges area. For other europeans, like us from Bilbao, to visit London is an opportunity to enjoy an english Football stadium, that is an incredible experience for a photographer if you like sports and you "live" them intensively. I love London and Me encanta Madrid so you decide on yourself. Take your camera, walk, shoot and enjoy. Good Luck. Ikusi arte (see you in basque language). Josemi Gondra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francisco_salaquanda Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>I guess the great thing to do is visit somewhere outside of your own experience. Come from a rich country?...visit a poor country. Used to snow in the winter?...visit North Africa. Used to conservative, western politics?... visit Brazil or Russia. Use your hard earned money to give yourself a broader view of life.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_delisio Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>Not to be crass, but $$$wise ... </p> <p>London is one of the most expensive cities on the planet and their currency has held up relatively well. Spain is suffering through some harsh austerity and I would imagine that has made aspects of the visitor's life - like hotels, restaurants etc. much more affordable than ever.</p> <p>You would certainly be helping out their economy while stretching out your funds.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_south Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 <p>On the side topics...</p> <p>Food: I prefer the UK (albeit for foreign food such as Italian, Indian, Chinese). But I might be biased given that I got food poising from mayonaise in Spain.</p> <p>People: The British are generally quite polite. I didn't get a warm feeling from the citizens of Madrid. They came across like Parisians. Probably, the people of the Spanish countryside and beaches are more relaxed.</p> <p>Romantic Language: It's not the language, it's who's speaking it that makes it sexy.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelging Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 <p>My sister lives in London and that is always a fun city to photograph. Spain is also very beautiful, But I know 2 people in the last year who have been robbed in Spain, one was quite violent and required a hospital stay. My favorite place for photos is Italy. The language is not a problem as most people speak enough english, and my Italian is not bad. The country itself is quite beautiful and is very friendly to photographers. Paris is also a great city for photographers. Have a great trip with good light. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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