Leake Street (AKA The Graffiti Tunnel) Photo Shoot

London Graffiti

This photo shoot at Leake Street (also known as The Graffiti Tunnel or Banksy Tunnel ) was something that I always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity. The graffiti tunnel is located next to Waterloo Station and London Eye, but it’s not crowded with commuters or tourists – it’s a place quiet enough to place a light stand. Graffiti is allowed in the tunnel (I think so) and everyday there is something new.

I’ve been interested by Leake street since last year when I went there by chance, and since then I’ve been thinking about a photo shoot in the graffiti tunnel. The tunnel is dark and it looks quite dodgy from the outside, but inside it’s a street art gallery. Some of the graffiti are very creative and really well executed. At the moment there are some roadwork and I believe the place is safe.

A few weeks ago I got in touch with MUA Kirsty Cox and she was organising a photo shoot with some graffiti as background with model Bellita, it was a perfect opportunity to shoot at the graffiti tunnel.

We started our photos right in the middle of the graffiti tunnel. I used a couple of speedlights with some diffusers to light the scene, it was quite difficult to achieve a balanced result as there were other sources of light there, but we managed to get great shots. For the second and the third change we went to the end (or the entrance?) of Leake street, where we got some beautiful diffused light coming from the sun.

Kirsty did an amazing job with her hair and make-up skills and Bellita is really great to work with and she was very brave enduring the cold weather.