City of London Photography
The City of London skyline is constantly evolving. And never more so than in late 2018, when I shot The City Awaits. At that time, the Square Mile was in the midst of an extraordinary construction boom. Tower cranes marked the horizon, new skyscrapers were rising almost daily, and the landscape was transforming before my eyes.
It’s an exciting era for City of London photography, a moment that captures both the dynamism and the uncertainty of the time. Inside these buildings, conversations were dominated by Brexit and the future of finance. Yet, outside, the dawn broke clear and calm, a reminder that the City continues to adapt and endure – over centuries.
I took this image at first light, after a week of cold, grey mornings. Waiting through the darkness was worth it: as the sun rose, soft pink hues lit the glass towers, reflecting across the skyline.
The Skyscrapers of the City of London
This gigapixel photograph brings together some of the City of London’s most recognisable landmarks:
- 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), with 70 St Mary Axe (also known as The Can of Ham) in front of it.
- Behind the Gherkin stands The Scalpel, on Lime Street.
- To the right is St Helen’s (formerly the Aviva Tower), now approaching 50 years old and soon to make way for 1 Undershaft (The Trellis Tower) set to become the tallest building in the City cluster.
- Behind St Helen’s rises the wedge-shaped Leadenhall Building (The Cheesegrater).
- On the right, 22 Bishopsgate, with 100 Bishopsgate and Salesforce Tower (formerly Heron Tower) just visible beyond.
Today, as new developments continue to reshape the skyline, the City of London remains Europe’s most powerful financial centre and one of the most fascinating subjects for any photographer. The City Awaits captures a fleeting moment in that ongoing story.
Click to explore many more City of London photos and 360s.