What the Thames does to morning light

The Thames runs roughly east–west through central London, which means the river catches low morning light along its full length. The south bank from Waterloo Bridge to Tate Modern faces north over the water, giving reflected light and a city skyline at a distance that actually works photographically. Sunrise hits the Canary Wharf towers from the east — visible from Greenwich Park, which also gives you the Wren-designed buildings and a clean sightline into the city. Golden hour here runs around 50 minutes in summer, much shorter in winter when the sun barely clears the horizon. Tower Bridge from the north embankment catches last light on its stone faces in the afternoon. Primrose Hill is the city panorama shot — faces south-southwest, good from mid-afternoon into evening.