Brighton, United Kingdom

Rank : 9.0 (average on 1 votes)

If you know this place, give your vote: 1 (Worst)2345678910 (Best) 

Coordinates : 50.817852, -0.136325 (Open in Google Maps)

Subjects : Brighton is England's most famous and visited seaside location and has two iconic piers, the West Pier, which burned down and its iron skeleton, is now being reclaimed by the sea, is a photographer's dream. The main Brighton Pier is the epitome in Victorian seaside piers, known the world over and has appeared in feature films, and is a huge draw to visitors and holidaymakers, still. Brighton is within easy distance to London, but far enough away, to make it ideal for weekends, stag and hen parties and those wanting a romantic getaway. This easy distance has made Brighton a beach resort for Royalty with the Prince Regent (George IV) creating Brighton Royal Pavilion, an utterly exotic and charming (it is very Indian looking!) Palace, and Brighton today, is the UK's Gay capital, with creative types living and working and giving a laid-back and open minded atmosphere. Many well known musicians and artists (such as FatBoy Slim and Nick Cave) call Brighton home - this is only important as it shows the variety of street subjects and creativity that abounds, both in architecture and arts and in its residents and visitors.Brighton also is known to be the start/finish to vintage car rallies from London and often has motorcycle rallies on the promenade. Famously, in the late 1960's, "Mods" clashed with "rockers" on their scooters in Brighton - and a Graham Greene novel and films, 'Brighton Rock' showed how Brighton had/has an underbelly of gangster elements. There are often huge beach raves in the summer, which go on all night. Brighton also has many splendid terraces of Regency houses.

Recommended equipment : Anything, from a mobile phone up. Standard travel camera equipment, including a travel tripod for night shots.

Best months : As with any beach resort, the summer months but any month provides some interest, in different weathers and if you look.

How to get there : From London Victoria railway station, direct trains. London Gatwick is the nearest airport. Road access from the Channel Tunnel via M20, M25 and M23, then A23.

Visits : Brighton's beaches are always open, the Pier is open every day, except on Christmas Day.Brighton Pavilion is about 15Euro and open almost every day, throughout the year.The "Lanes" is a wonderfully arty and attractive part of Brighton, lots of antique and speciality shops, narrow 'old world' streets. In summer, eating and drinking al fresco outside pubs and restaurants is where you see and get seen, lots of street photo opportunities.Nearby, is the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head coastal cliffs, already a Juza location. Nearby Brighton Marina is well worth exploring, for new developments and the marina itself is a sight, with hundreds of expensive boats moored.

Notes : Brighton has probably some of the best weather in the UK, being in the south and east but it is the tolerant open attitude that I guess you would associate more with Australia than stuffy old England, that makes it special, something you can can really feel. Plenty of photos of the beach, the piers, the people and general life. Brighton also has a seam of social problems and drugs, as is often with coastal resorts but that adds to the richness of the subjects to photograph.