South Bank Lion
Perched on the southern end of Westminster Bridge, this imposing red Coade stone lion makes for a striking foreground subject with the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower directly across the Thames behind it. The classic shot pairs the lion tightly against the iconic skyline, and a wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range lets you include both the sculpture and the full backdrop without stepping back too far. Position yourself low and close to exaggerate the lion's scale against the architecture. The golden hour before sunset bathes the scene in warm light from the west, and blue hour gives you a clean, moody look with the Parliament buildings illuminated. The pavement around the base gets busy with foot traffic throughout the day, so arriving early on a weekday morning gives you cleaner compositions and quieter surroundings. (London, England, United Kingdom)
