Discover the portraits I captured during my photography walk with Tiffany Roubert along the Thames South Bank in London on the 6th of December 2024.

Having embraced street photography in March 2024, I was eager to explore street portraits using natural light as a way to connect with interesting people and tell their stories. However, I wasn’t confident enough to take the first steps on my own.

I also wanted to reacquaint myself with film photography and learn how to use my two newly purchased second-hand film cameras: an Olympus OM-4 with a Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 lens and a Mamiya 645 Pro with a Sekor 80mm f/2.8 lens. Having used an Olympus OM-2 from 1981 until 2005, it was a challenge to return to film cameras after nearly 20 years.

For these reasons, I reached out to Tiffany Roubert on Instagram. Tiffany is a well-known photographer specialising in portraits, film, and experiential photography. We arranged to meet at the Southbank Centre in London on 6 December and spent a few hours walking along the Thames South Bank, meeting fascinating people to photograph.

Tiffany provided invaluable advice on finding good light and locations, setting up my cameras, and approaching strangers for portraits. First step was to get used to operating the Olympus 35mm camera loaded with CineStill 400D colour film and its 50mm f1.4 lens, and the Mamiya 645 loaded with Ilford Delta Pro 400 black-and-white film initially and its 80mm f2.8 lens. I was checking the exposure with the Light Meter app on my phone.

As we walked across the bridge between Southbank and Embankment, Tiffany challenged me to approach three people and ask to take their portraits. I was nervous to approach the first person, but to my surprise, they said yes immediately. Encouraged, I asked a second person, who also agreed without hesitation, and then a couple who happily obliged. Suddenly, everything felt much easier.

I gradually gained confidence with my cameras, adjusting exposure and focus, and juggling between the Olympus OM4 and the Mamiya 645.

As we walked along the South Bank towards Blackfriars, I was on high alert, scanning the crowd for people I wanted to ask for portraits. London is incredible for street photography because of its vibrant diversity of people and styles.

One memorable encounter was with Nathan, a gentleman originally from Dudley—the next town to where I live in Stourbridge. A bit of small talk revealed this surprising connection, proving how conversations can lead to fascinating discoveries.

The Thames South Bank, stretching between the Southbank Centre and Blackfriars, offers plenty of interesting photo opportunities. Adjacent to the BFI Southbank, tourists strolled leisurely past second-hand books and prints arranged on large tables.

As I walked towards the Oxo Tower, my attention was drawn to a striking bright purple coat. I approached the gentleman wearing it, who introduced himself as Ti, a German tourist visiting London. He graciously paused for a portrait by the edge of the Thames.

Taking a backstreet to avoid the crowds in front of the OXO tower, I came across Donna Ford, a photographer capturing shots of Cat Scully, a stand-up comedy actress. I asked for their permission to photograph them, and it turned into a wonderful opportunity to add variety to my experience.

Our walk concluded on the Millennium Bridge and the stairs leading to St Paul’s Cathedral. In order to try a new film, I swapped the back of the Mamiya camera and used a Kodak Portra 400. There, I was delighted to photograph a beautiful blonde woman with a soft face, a lovely young woman with gorgeous eyes framed within the furry hood of her jacket, Maria -an artist with a gentle look-, a French young couple, two young ladies of Japanese origin with an interesting look and, last but not least, Betty – a lady who had a fantastic hair, dressed with a funky coat.

In total, I took individual or group portraits of 22 different people and experienced only two refusals. I encountered some challenges focusing with the Mamiya 645 medium format camera, resulting in a few pictures being completely out of focus. I particularly enjoyed shooting with the Olympus OM4, a compact 35mm camera. I found it liberating to use only a 50mm lens on the Olympus OM4 (or the equivalent 80mm on the Mamiya 645). I was “zooming” with my feet, free from the need to change lenses during the walk. Using three different types of film allowed me to appreciate the differences in colour and tonality. The CineStill 400D produced a warm tonality, enhanced by the low winter sunshine. Kodak Portra 400 is a fantastic film, and I loved the quality it delivered on the medium format camera—if only I could have achieved sharper images!

It was a fantastic experience, and I learned so much in just four hours with Tiffany. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to her for her support and advice. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the incredible people who kindly agreed to my slightly awkward requests for street portraits. I am delighted with the results and no longer feel afraid to approach people on the street to take their portraits.

Once again, London proved to be an extraordinary place for street photography.