Baker Street Station

version3point1 · 26 Feb 2006 at 02:33

I thought I'd make use of my photography permit today, seeing as today was a quiet Saturday on the Tube. So I popped into one of my favourite stations, signed in at the supervisor's office and toddled around for an hour or so.

Location
Baker Street Station: Platforms 5
Zone 1 (C4)

Getting there: Depending on where you're coming from, the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines all pass through this station, so you shouldn't have a problem getting there.

Location notes: Before the London Underground was even the London Underground, it was the Metropolitan Railway, the first underground railway in the world that was launched in 1863. Baker Street was at the heart of all this, which explains a lot of the historical features on the station facade oustide ('1863' clearly visible, along with 'MR' for Metropolitan Railway).

The station now still has a lot of the original features (Platforms 5 and 6 especially) and design work, but newer parts of the station, espcially the spaces leading up to and surrounding the Jubilee and Bakerloo Line sections are themed - to Sherlock Holmes. You will certainly remember the silhouette profile of Arthur Conan Doyle's character, with his hat and pipe, and to top off, there's also a statue of Sherlock Holmes oustide the station entrance.

This station has a lot of character and there are plenty of places for you to sit down and wander around, so do take a look.

Notes
Shot in .RAW. and all on ISO 400.

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1/15, F4.5, 56mm

1/15, F5, 47mm

1/15, F4.5, 52mm

1/15, F7.1, 70mm

1/15, F5, 70mm
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And I have more if you want to see, if you want.

hoodmeister · 26 Feb 2006 at 02:53

I'm really liking all of these, very nice feel to them, I for one would love to see more

Not that I'm in London often, but how do you go about getting a permit?

version3point1 · 26 Feb 2006 at 03:14

Thanks.

Applying for a permit is fairly easy. You fill in a application form from LUL's Film Office, requesting a permit and stating what you'll be doing (personal/portfolio work or whatever) and they get back to you pretty quick. Click here to visit the application form page and here for more information.

Oh. More photos...

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1/15, F5.6, 90mm

1/15, F5, 60mm

1/13, F4, 38mm

1/10, F3.5, 18mm

Joe T · 26 Feb 2006 at 09:14

They definitely work well in b&w!

Thanks for the info on the permit - could be useful some day.

Dudd · 26 Feb 2006 at 10:03

how did you get them so sharp at 1/5" without a tripod? LU don't allow them do they?

Slime101 · 26 Feb 2006 at 10:47

Excellent shots, however permits are either impossible to get or bloody expensive it looks....

How much does it cost to film/photograph on London Underground Limited?
Our rates start at £300 per hour for filming. Each facility is reviewed on a case by case basis and prices are dependent on a number of factors including the size of crew and the amount of equipment to be used.

Are there special rates for students?
Yes, if you do not qualify for a free permit then the student rate is £150, for a maximum of two hours, but to qualify for this you must provide a letter of reference from the University or College you are attending..

Is it possible to shoot for free?

A letter of intent confirming cast & crew are no more than 5 people and equipment is lightweight and hand held only
A relevant copy of the script/storyboard
Two passport sized photographs of the person in charge on the day

AdWright · 26 Feb 2006 at 11:52

Dudd said:
how did you get them so sharp at 1/5" without a tripod? LU don't allow them do they?

From the application form:

Equipment Details:
(Please be aware that flash photography or additional lighting is not permitted on any LU platform and tripods are permitted at the Station Supervisor's discretion on the day)

cyKey · 26 Feb 2006 at 12:20

Really cool shots. Love the black and white feel.

AdWright · 26 Feb 2006 at 12:29

version3point1 - I really love these shots and have always wanted to do some photography on Underground stations. Do they generally charge for one individual doing photography for personal use?

Carrot · 26 Feb 2006 at 13:55

Wow, those are all great shots. Favourites for me would be the first and fourth of your first post, lovely tones.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 26 Feb 2006 at 14:59

I like these more due to the addtion of your journal/background information before the post of the pictures. It gives the imagary a lot more meaning and to why you choose the location... Picture wise, its a privalige for you to shoot in the underground.. Its one that you have done really well to capture in Black n White.

nolimit · 26 Feb 2006 at 15:13

i use the baker street underground everyday and it dont look good like you have showen.

very nice.

Deleted member 11679 · 26 Feb 2006 at 15:30

I like the look of the B&W's to, what about doing some History brushing in Photoshop and seeing what the Underground looks like bringing out the reds maybe?!

My mind is playing.

Mohain · 26 Feb 2006 at 16:22

cool shots

Zheka · 26 Feb 2006 at 16:30

Great work mate. Thank you.

version3point1 · 26 Feb 2006 at 17:57

Thanks for the lovely comments everyone.

One reason as to why I set the scene before I posted the photos is because many people don't always see the beauty and wide range of shooting scenarios that are available when shooting on the Underground. Knowing a bit of the history, asking the staff questions about things in the station that make you curious also allows you to understand why some things are the way they are down there. This general curiousity about all things London Underground, which spawned from when I was a kid, is why I am an enthusiast today!

Because the London Underground is a public network, everything is pretty much 'live' and unstaged. It allows you to work and test yourself, to learn and with 275 stations to choose from, with different places and things to shoot inside each station, this is why I love shooting on the Underground.

dudd said:
how did you get them so sharp at 1/5" without a tripod? LU don't allow them do they?

The lighting on Platforms 5 and 6 is fantastic and you can use some fairly slow shutter speeds down there with a steady hand. Despite the regulations regarding the use of tripods, I don't actually use a tripod underground at all, due to the fact that each station supervisor has a different preference, depending on what station I'll visit.

Excellent shots, however permits are either impossible to get or bloody expensive it looks....

Do they generally charge for one individual doing photography for personal use?

The permit I have is what they state as 'provisional'. Basically, my permit allows me to shoot for free in places that are fullly accessible to the public, providing that all equipment is lightweight and handheld, that you shoot during the off-peak and weekends, and that you adhere to the railway's bylaws. This permit is usually free.

If you are a professional photographer and/or are working commercially, a charge may be made for the permit, although these permits are generally not provisional and may allow you to go behind-the-scenes and work during peak times.

Ricochet J · 26 Feb 2006 at 21:49

version3point1 said:
1/15, F4.5, 52mm

Brilliant pictures 3point1. The above is my favourite out of the lot. It's so dark, so dangerous. Didn't baker street used to be a slaughter house at one point? Also Sherlock Holmes' gaff'?

Welcome to the boards

Reidy · 27 Feb 2006 at 12:15

they look amazing... i really like them.... the black and white feel gives them an even better quality

RichDay · 27 Feb 2006 at 21:19

Nice, I like what you've done with them. I think I agree with xsBass, the second is fantastic. Really wish I'd stuck to the date I'd arranged to photograph the underground a year or so ago.

milou · 27 Feb 2006 at 23:33

Excellent stuff & good inspiration.

Baker Street Station

Deleted member 11679

Deleted member 11679