St Giles Cripplegate
St Giles Cripplegate is a medieval church that survives intact within the brutalist geometry of the Barbican Estate, creating one of London's most striking architectural contrasts. The juxtaposition of the weathered stone church against the concrete towers and elevated walkways gives you compelling compositions you won't find anywhere else in the city. Shoot from across the ornamental lake to capture the church reflected in the water with the Barbican's residential slabs rising behind it, or get close to the churchyard walls to play with the layering of old stonework against modern angles. Overcast days work particularly well here, flattening the light and letting the textures stand out without harsh shadows. A wide to standard zoom lens handles most situations well. The area is pedestrianized and easy to navigate, but it's worth arriving early on weekdays before the foot traffic builds up. (London, England, United Kingdom)
