April 2026: Street Photography with Matt Badenoch on the South Bank

On Wednesday 22nd April 2026 before I was on a street photography workshop on the South Bank with Matt Badenoch. Before the workshop I visited Leake Street before having breakfast at Wetherspoons in The Sidings.

The workshop started at 10 am on Lower Marsh Street. The easiest way to get to Lower Marsh Street was through the Leake Street arches and another opportunity to see the art.

Lower Marsh Street

I was early and explored Lower Marsh Street before having a coffee while I waited.

The crane for the Waterloo-City line trains

The briefing

This is a list of the themes that we covered as a short reference for street photography:

Colour Matching
Complementary Colours
Pattern Matching
Light on Shadow
Silhouettes
Motion Blur
Symmetry
Reflections
Repetition
Hands
Layers

Lower Marsh Street

I was challenged to shoot in colour with a 35mm lens and to keep my camera in landscape mode – all three not what I normally use!

Once outside we started on Lower Marsh Street and at the walkway that leads to the Leake Street tunnel. There I was practicing catching passers by coming into the light. With help from Matt I did get at least one image that I was happy with.

Lower down the street we went looking colours and combinations of colours…

I briefly went outside the theme.

To the South Bank

Then we passed through Leake Street on our way to the South Bank.

Before York Street the light was bright at the entrance to the tunnel.

The South Bank

We then moved as group to the South Bank and we took turns at f different locations…

1. By statue

After chatting with Matt I moved to look at the light through the trees

2. On the embankment

Further along is a curved structure with low walls.

Not great as the walls were extremely popular with all the children to climb and slide down!

3. Street by skip

Along Stage Door Avenue I sopped at the side of a skip with the side of the skate park behind me.

Reflections…

Street art…

4. National theatre yellow steps

Back along the South Bank past the skate park.

5. National theatre yellow spiral

Up the steps is a large paved area over parts of the theatre. Security here often challenge photographers so I was pleased to be up the spiral yellow staircase.