Victoria Street

This sweeping cobbled crescent of brightly painted shop fronts is one of the city’s most photographed Old Town streets - Built in the 1830s as part of a city improvement scheme, its tiered terrace, sloping shops and restaurants lead to the vibrant Grassmarket area. This street is said to be an inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series, meaning it draws fans and fanatics from all around the globe - all day long.

Victoria Street takes morning light well, although the high-sided buildings can create too much shadow when the sun is lower during the winter months. Early mornings tend to be significantly quieter which means the cobbles are slightly more clear of crowds. This image is taken from the pavement as is curves round out of the frame. A wide lens is handy to capture the dramatic curve of the street and terrace, and a polarising filter on a bright day can help bring out the colours of the shop fronts. Don’t be scared of having people in the frame though.