The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for photographers
As any photographer knows, a good photo is all about timing. Capturing a decisive moment that cannot be repeated. That is why, in these historic times, photographers have a unique opportunity to capture the Platinum Jubilee. The moment in time when most of the country celebrates the seventy years that the Queen has been on the throne of the United Kingdom. With a little planning and preparation, photographers can capture some truly unique and special photos that will be cherished for years to come. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:
Plan your shots in advance.
Decide what you want to capture before the event begins. This will help you to make the most of your time and get the best photos possible.
Get close to the action
Proximity to your subject will help you to capture more intimate and expressive photos.
Be patient
Events like this can be chaotic, so it is important to be patient and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
With a little planning and patience, photographers can capture some truly amazing photos that will be cherished for years to come. So get out there and start shooting!
If you love photography and want to find some great events to photograph, look no further than the list below. From street parties in London to the pageants, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re looking for something a little closer to home, be sure to check out the Platinum Picnics section for events in your area. So get out there and start capturing some amazing moments!
Tower of London Super Bloom
The Tower of London is hosting a special event to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen. The moat will be transformed with 20 million seeds into a beautiful new naturalistic landscape, complete with flowers, trees and grasses. Throughout the summer, the display will evolve, providing a wonderful sensory experience for visitors. This is a unique opportunity to see the Tower in a whole new light and to celebrate the reign of one of the most iconic monarchs in British history.
This isn’t free though it is low cost at £12, you to go down in the moat and into the flowers. This may be better further on in the summer when the flowers are all established.
Date: 1st July till 18th September 2022 (postponed for a month, due to lack of flowers)
Lighting up bridges across London
From June 2nd to 6th, London’s bridges will be illuminated with a light display by artist Leo Villareal. The display will be launched at sunset on the 2nd and will run each night until 2 am. Spanning nine bridges from Lambeth Bridge to London Bridge, the light show is sure to be a spectacle. Photography enthusiasts will want to bring a tripod to capture the long exposure shots. This is a great opportunity to get some unique nighttime photography of some of London’s most iconic landmarks. At 5.2 miles in length, the Illuminated River is the longest public art commission in the world.
Date: 2nd June till 5th June 2022
Trooping the Colour
This is a ceremonial event that takes place each year to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign. The event features a military parade with over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. It is an impressive display of pageantry and tradition, making it a great event for photographers. This year’s trooping of colour will take place on 2nd June 2022.
For photography the main thing is too get there early, it takes place along the Mall from Horse Guards Parade. I normally try and get there by 7.30am but this year I would expect a lot more people to come. Events begin at approximately 10.00am, with the fly-past at 1.00pm.
The best location I think is from the Mall near Green Park station end. Or at the curve of Horse Guards Parade and the Mall. But you might need a longer lens. Some of my best photographs of the Queen have come from the Green Park area.
Before and after it is a good opportunity to get photographs of the people who arrive and leave. Lots of people dress up so good photo opportunities.
Date: 2nd June @10am
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
Over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.
Did you know that there are three official types of beacons being lit? The first is a free standing gas fuelled beacon, the second is a brazier with a metal shield, and the last is a bonfire beacon. The gas fuelled beacon is the most common type of beacon being used today. They are easy to use and maintain, and they produce a bright flame that can be seen for miles. The brazier with a metal shield is another popular type of beacon. These Beacon’s are placed on top of a metal pole, and they have a shield that helps to deflect the wind. This makes them ideal for use in windy conditions. The last type of Beacon is the bonfire beacon. These are large fires that are built specifically for the purpose of lighting a Beacon. They are usually lit in special ceremonies or celebrations. Whatever the occasion, Beacons are an essential part of any event.
Principle Beacon
There is a principle beacon at Buckingham Palace which is The Tree of Trees (a 21m high ‘tree’ constructed of 350 smaller trees). This will be lit in a special ceremony, members of the Royal Family will arrive at approximately 9.25pm. It should be lit in the Mall so if you are in London this will be good to photograph.
Community Beacons
There are Community Beacons, thousands of beacons will be lit by communities, charities and different groups throughout the regions of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
I will be going to my local town Watford and their beacon being lit. You might find one in your local area.
Date: 2nd June @9.25pm
Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s
The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen will be celebrated with a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on the morning of Friday 3rd June 2022. This will be a significant national occasion, marking seventy years since Her Majesty’s accession to the throne. The Service will give thanks for The Queen’s life and reign, and will also be an opportunity to reflect on the significant challenges and moments that have shaped our country during her time as monarch.
The Service will include bible readings, anthems, prayers and congregational hymns, expressing thankfulness for The Queen’s reign, faith and service; a desire to foster unity and peace amongst all peoples; and commitment to care for God’s creation.
The service will include a new Anthem by Judith Weir, Master of The Queen’s Music, that sets to music words from the third Chapter of the Book of Proverbs.
For photography the service starts at 10am, there should be a lot more people around and there may be members of the Royal Family attending.
Date: 3rd June @10am
Platinum Picnics
On Saturday the 4th of June, there will be picnics across the country. More than 85,000 people have signed up to host Big Jubilee Lunches. There are too many to list but you can find them on the Platinum jubilee website below. This will also be a great event to photograph, I would use the postcode finder on the website to find local picnics in your area. They will be listed if a road needs to be closed as the people organising the party have to apply to the local council.
Below are some of the major picnics that are happening.
Jubilee Dance Party at Wembley
Head to Wembley Park on Saturday 4th June for the ultimate (and free) Queen’s Jubilee street party. Free live music, circus acts, wild entertainment, family-friendly activities and a whole lot of dance. Join us to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Wembley Park with our free, family-friendly street party.
Watford 100 and Jubilee Picnic
Join hundreds of people in Cassiobury Park for a picnic to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee and the 100 years of Watford Borough. A fun-filled day of music and dance will take place starting off in the morning with a parade through the High Street leading to the bandstand in Cassiobury Park where an afternoon of dance, theatre and spoken word performances will take place.
Windsor’s Jubilee Party in the Park
Jubilee Party in the Park with cars and entertainment, in the magnificent surroundings of the Long Walk. The day will run from 11am through to the evening, and you are welcome to come along for as long as you wish. Bring your picnic blankets, tables/chairs, and your own picnics or enjoy the food and refreshments which will be available from stalls on the Long Walk during the day. Earl and Countess of Wessex will be joining lunchers.
Oval Cricket Ground Lunch
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be joining guests at the Oval Cricket ground for lunch. They will be able to view a six-metre long felt artwork recreating a street party lunch by artist Lucy Sparrow.
Note that this is on the 5th of, not the 4th of June.
Date: 4th June 2022
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Pageant Parade
The Gold State Carriage, led by The Sovereign’s Escort, will lead the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, embracing the latest in digital technology to evoke the excitement and majesty of her journey to be crowned 70 years ago.
The Pageant will bring to life iconic moments from The Queen’s reign as well as showcasing our changing society over the past 70 years.
10,000 people are involved, including the military, over 6,000 volunteers, performers, key workers and 2,500 members of the general public.
People from all over the UK and across the Commonwealth are giving their time and creativity to build this event and celebrate this momentous occasion. Communities across the UK will find a connection to the ‘People’s Pageant’.
National treasures and iconic figures from music, film, sport and the arts will take part in the Pageant including much-loved celebrity names, alongside military personnel, key workers and volunteers.
It tells the story of The Queen’s 70-year reign and our transforming society. The Pageant is played out in four parts:
For Queen and Country
For Queen and Country is the opening act of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. It will be a military spectacle, celebrating the UK Armed Forces from all three Services, along with military personnel from across the Commonwealth including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, Ghana, Belize, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and beyond.
The Time of Our Lives
‘The Time of Our Lives’ is a vibrant display of British life since 1952, moving through a transformation of popular culture over the last 70 years.With a cast of thousands, each decade is brought to life through the popular music and dance styles, fashion, youth culture and classic vehicles of the times. Double-decker buses, wrapped in specially designed and custom-made graphics, remind spectators of the most memorable and world-shaping moments from the last seventy years. The Pageant will take audiences from post-war 1950s Britain with Lambeth Walkers and jivers, to the 1970s with northern soulies and glam rockers, all the way to the 1990s with acid ravers and Britpop power. Crossing into the new millennia, ‘The Time of our Lives’ will reflect the technological advances which have changed and impacted modern Britain over the last two decades.
Let’s Celebrate
The third act of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Let’s Celebrate, will harness creativity, ingenuity, humour and community spirit. It will mash street theatre, music-on-the-move, urban dance, and the very best of Carnival, May Day, Mela, Fiesta and Mardi Gras to celebrate The Queen’s extraordinary life experience. This act will feature an outburst of performer groups from across the UK who have all created their own unique pieces for the Pageant.
Happy & Glorious
A finale like no other will form around the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace with all parts of the Pageant leading to this moment. It will serve as an opportunity to gather and pay tribute to Her Majesty with the singing of the National Anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’ and the London Community Gospel Choir to the sounds of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.
Timings
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will take place from 14.30 – 17.00 BST on Sunday 5th June. The Pageant will take place on some of the most iconic streets in Westminster including Whitehall and the Mall, up to Buckingham Palace.
The Pageant will start on Whitehall, turn under Admiralty Arch and then process up the Mall before finishing outside Buckingham Palace around Queen Victoria Memorial.
Another event where you need to get there early but should be great to photograph. At least it is in the afternoon but I am sure you would need to get there by 10am. Besides the pageant itself, there will be photographic opportunities with the visitors. The best locations would be in the Mall and at Westminister.
Date: 5th June 2022
Platinum Jubilee Balloons
Soaring high up in the sky from early morning in Battersea Park will be lots of balloons to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This is all subject to the weather, the balloons need wind and not too much of it.
There should be fifty balloons travelling across London following the Thames route. More information on cancellations and backup dates can be found on the link. The balloons are part of the Lord Mayors’ annual balloon Regata for charity.
Date: 5th June 2022 @5.30am
Jubilee hashtags to use are #HM70 and #PlatinumJubilee
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Links
Below, you will find some links for the Platinum Jubilee Weekend and my photographs.
