OXO & the Thames

I shot this on November 17th, 2019, from the South Bank on one of those clear, crisp nights where the city just feels alive. The OXO Tower—built in 1928-1929 as a former power station—was lit up with its distinctive red illuminated letters, its reflection stretched out across the Thames like it was painted on the water. The tower's name comes from the OXO beef stock cubes brand, which bought the building in 1928 and cleverly incorporated their logo into the architecture to bypass advertising restrictions.

Beyond it, you've got Blackfriars Bridge leading the eye into the heart of London—modern skyscrapers glowing in the City financial district, construction cranes dotting the skyline showing the city's constant evolution, and St. Paul's Cathedral bringing that soft, grounded contrast with its 365-foot baroque dome. What I love about this view is the balance—old and new, bright and calm. The colours in the reflections, the stillness of the River Thames, and the buzz from the lights all hit that sweet spot where London feels at once modern and timeless.

I used my Canon 5D Mark III with the 24-105mm lens at 24mm, capturing a 15-second exposure at ISO 100 and f/10. The long exposure smoothed the Thames just enough to capture those vibrant reflections—the red from the OXO sign, the warm glow of bridge lights, the cool tones from the modern buildings. Blackfriars Bridge, opened in 1869 and widened in the 1900s, connects the South Bank to the City, its iron spans creating this strong horizontal element across the frame.

This view captures the layers of London—the 1920s OXO Tower, the Victorian Blackfriars Bridge, Wren's 1710 St. Paul's, and the 21st-century City skyline, all coexisting along the Thames. The neon glow against soft cathedral light, still water against a buzzing skyline—it's vibrant, modern, and packed with atmosphere.

When you look at this photograph, I want you to feel that energy—standing on the South Bank watching the OXO Tower's red letters glow across the Thames toward Blackfriars Bridge, where 1920s advertising ingenuity meets Victorian engineering meets baroque cathedral meets modern financial district, all reflected in the River Thames in the heart of London.