Princes Street Nights

Looking west from a small lesser-known lookout below the Nelson Monument, this view stretches down the full length of Princes Street and beyond. The spires of an old city pierce the horizon, while a river of light reminds us this is a vibrant modern city. The walk up from Regent Road is a short, moderate climb but always worth the effort. This specific lookout is far less congested than others on the hill, meaning there’s less need to jostle for position. This location works well at any time of day and there are lots of options nearby.

Looking west from Calton Hill, the long straight run of Princes Street is compressed with a telephoto lens, and the Balmoral clock tower becomes more of a predominant feature of the composition. Shooting a long exposure here allows the city lights to really come alive and the trails of light create a feeling of a busy city centre hub. The misty evening conditions help to create an ethereal feeling in this shot, but the composition works well in most conditions. If experimenting with long exposures at night, take multiple images as lighting elements can change dramatically from frame to frame.