How To Take Perfect Diamond Jubilee Pictures

As more than one thousand boats muster on the River Thames this Sunday (June 3), a staggering 332 million photos will be taken of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, according to research commissioned by Nikon.

In addition, one in five Brits are desperate to get their own photo of Her Majesty on this once-in-a-lifetime weekend, as the Queen attends a variety of Jubilee events.

The survey of 1,421 UK adults also reveals that 76.3 million Jubilee-related photos will get shared on social networking sites on the day of the Pageant – 17% more than the 65 million royal wedding pictures.

And of the raft of Jubilee events taking place, the one Brits are most excited to see is the 1,000-boat flotilla on the Thames.

This photo opportunity beats the Queen waving from the balcony, the carriage procession, the Buckingham Palace concert, and appearances by the other Royals, even William and Kate.

Top Tips For Diamond Jubilee Photos
Get there early and make sure you’re in position.
Make sure your camera is fully charged
Keep your camera ready in your hand.
Make use of the whole long weekend for photo opps.
Don’t be frightened to ask people to move to get a clearer view.
Ask people to pose: they’ll love the attention!
Try taking some video clips: sound plays a large part in events.
Try and get a picture of the Queen.
Don’t forget to take some crowd shots.
Don't forget to get a picture of yourself there!

Jeremy Gilbert, Group Marketing Manager at Nikon UK, comments: “It seems the worldwide attention given to last year’s wedding has inspired the nation to take more interest than ever before in the royal family, leading to an even bigger sense of anticipation ahead of this milestone for the Queen.

"Photography has become so accessible that with such a momentous event on the horizon, it’s natural that everyone will want to capture their own memories of it.”

According to Nikon Pro Arthur Edwards, who's had three decades’ worth experience of photographing the Royal family, there's one vessel everyone will want to snap: “The Gloriana, a 90ft long barge that will be the largest rowed vessel in the country, will be the star of the show on Pageant day.

"It will lead the procession and will of course go at a rower’s pace."

"The great thing about it is that as it’s a low boat, spectators near City Hall and the Pool of London will be able to get a picture of Gloriana in the foreground, and the Spirit of Chartwell, carrying the Royal family, sailing up behind it.”

Find out the best place to snap pictures of the Pageant.

Where To Take The Perfect Diamond Jubilee Picture

Opposite Houses of Parliament(01 of07)

If you want to get a really stand out shot, you need to think not only about the boats, but also about the background that you'll get. If you place yourself on the opposite side of the river to the Houses of Parliament, your shot of the flotilla will be perfectly captured against an iconic London landmark.

Imperial Wharf(02 of07)

This is where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will join the flotilla procession. They will board the Royal Yacht Britannia's Royal Barge, and the barge will take them to the Spirit of Chartwell. The Queen hasn't been on the Royal Barge since Britannia was de-commissioned in 1997, so this in itself will make a poignant picture.

Butler's Wharf / City Hall(03 of07)

Here you can capture the ships in the flotilla as they go through Tower Bridge. The bridge will be raised, and the most breath-taking shot of the day is likely to be when the two boats leading the flotilla, the Gloriana and the Spirit of Chartwell, pass through.

Battersea Park(04 of07)

The Viewing Area along the top end of Battersea Park is the perfect vantage point to get a panorama shot of the river pageant. The £5 entry fee to get into the park should mean that crowds will be slightly less than elsewhere along the water, and the ticket will be worth its weight in gold for getting you lots of photo opportunities. There will be lots of 1950s themed spectacles worth snapping - including a 1952 bandstand tea dance, a beautiful tea-garden featuring a record-breaking attempt for the tallest cake, and a Village Green.

Opposite the London Eye(05 of07)

If you want to get a really stand out shot, you need to think not only about the boats, but also about the background that you'll get. If you place yourself on the opposite side of the river to the London Eye, your shot of the flotilla will be perfectly captured against an iconic London landmark.

Cadogan Pier(06 of07)

Where the young Royals will join the Spirit of Chartwell, so if it's a picture of William, Kate and Harry you're after, you might want to head here.

River Pageant Map(07 of07)

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, Nikon has created a river pageant map, highlighting the best vantage points for photography for revelling royalists planning to visit London.

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