Over the past few months, I’ve found myself shooting more and more in the Tate Modern, exploring the building at different times of the day and watching how the light changes.
I’ve always had a fascination with the Tate and the exhibitions, but this year is the first occasion that I’ve been spending so much time in there - I even became a member. I love how the building changes with each of the exhibitions and at different times of the day, it’s almost like the building itself is alive as it feels very organic. And nowhere is this truer than the Turbine Room, where the late afternoon light that hits this room seems very much alive as it dances around the massive space.
The one great thing about the Turbine Room is the reflections; on both sides of the room you have glass walls and doors and when the light is right, the room becomes twice the size and you can achieve some amazing looking photos. The footfall can work against you or for you, it all depends on the time of the day and, of course, the light. I always try and wait for maybe just one person as I can be left with lots of negative space in the photo and having that one person can really help to show the awesome size of this one room. The same can be said of the tall window on level 4. So many photos have been taken of this window by other photographers and again I really have to work hard to make a unique-looking photo, which I still haven’t done, but let’s be honest and say I have all the time in the world - the window isn’t going anywhere.
The trouble with the Tate Modern is that so many photographers shoot here and trying to make a different looking photo isn’t easy, however this is the challenge I love and thrive on. I’ll walk about looking in every corner hoping for something new and maybe something that is just there temporarily. This is where the paid exhibitions are the best as not many photographers have a membership and maybe they will only visit the exhibition once and you have to get really lucky on that one visit.
At the time I’m writing this blog the Olafur Eliasson exhibition is on and this has many elements. I’ve visited a few times so far and each time I’ve found something new and exciting. I spend time looking at other photos that others have taken in the exhibition and that way I can look for something different and I think I have found something very different and I won’t post the photos until the exhibition has finished. The exhibition has created a few challenges and I’ll be visiting every time I’m in London. I see myself spending hours inside this amazing exhibition, but that’s what it takes to make a great photo.
Remember great photos don’t just happen, you have to work for them!
If you’ve never visited the Tate Modern you’re missing out on one of London’s most exciting buildings: spend a day walking around you won’t regret it.
