Places for photography in Moscow. 9 points with beautiful views. Part 1
How to find beautiful places for photography? Almost every photographer asks this question, and it doesn’t matter what he is going to shoot: landscapes, portraits or a love story for a young couple. We are starting a new series of articles in which we will introduce the reader to interesting places in the capital and beyond. Surely, experienced photographers have already walked through many of the locations on our list, but they are still worth mentioning in order to introduce novice photographers and guests of the beautiful Moscow to them.
NIKON D810 / 18.0-35.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F16, 10 s, 22.0 mm equiv.
- Places for photography in Moscow. Part 1
- Places for photography in Moscow. Part 2
- Places for photography in Moscow. Part 3
- Photowalk: what and how to photograph in Moscow?
Patriarchal Bridge
The Patriarchal Bridge is located next to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and is an excellent viewing platform. It offers interesting views of Moscow in literally every direction.
NIKON D810 / 18.0-35.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 SETTINGS: ISO 64, F10, 30 s, 35.0 mm equiv.
This is one of the best vantage points for photographing the Moscow Kremlin. Perhaps the most interesting pictures are taken in the evening, when the buildings are illuminated. You can also experiment with long exposures in the evening, beautifully blurring the lights of cars or ships moving along the river. But for such shooting you will need not only a camera, but also a tripod. The most convenient way to get to the Patriarchal Bridge is by metro - it is very close to the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
Nikon Z 7 mirrorless camera with new Nikon NIKKOR Z 14–30mm f/4 S ultra-wide-angle lens
"Moscow City"
Moscow skyscrapers have long become one of the calling cards of the capital. This is not only a large business center, but also a great place for filming. Wide-angle lenses work great here. For example, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED or Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR.
NIKON Z 7 / 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 320, F4, 1/2 sec, 14.0 mm equiv.
One caveat - it is prohibited to shoot with a tripod on the territory of the complex. So evening shooting will be difficult. In such a situation, optical stabilization is very useful - in the lens or, as in the new Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7, in the camera.
NIKON D810 / 16.0-35.0 mm f/4.0 SETTINGS: ISO 450, F4, 1/10 s, 16.0 mm equiv.
From the opposite bank of the river, on the Taras Shevchenko embankment, where you can cross the Bagration pedestrian bridge, there are also excellent views. It is more convenient to get to Moscow City by metro (Vystavochnaya and Delovoy Tsentr stations) or the MCC (Delovoy Tsentr station).
Observation deck on Mukhina Mountain, Rostov Embankment
Another place from where you can clearly see the Moscow City complex and offer an extensive panorama of the city. Here is the Kievsky Station building, the White House, and the gorgeous Borodino Bridge. When going here, do not forget to take with you not only a standard lens, but also a telephoto lens.
As a telephoto lens, I most often use Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6E ED VR, but there is also a more universal lens that covers all focal lengths from wide-angle to supertele — AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR.
NIKON D810 / 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F8, 3 s, 250.0 mm equiv.
It will help you snatch the most interesting buildings from the crowd, take unusual angles, and “compress” the perspective.
The observation deck here is large and comfortable; you can sit on it with a tripod, shoot at long shutter speeds and catch the best lighting.
NIKON D810 / 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 80, F8, 1/3 s, 90.0 mm equiv.
You can get to Rostovskaya embankment from the Kyiv metro station along the Bogdan Khmelnitsky pedestrian bridge. By the way, it also offers excellent views.
High-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment
High-rise buildings are masterpieces of architecture and the calling card of Moscow. One of the highest (176 m, 32 floors) and largest is located near the Kremlin. This is what people call it - the high-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya. The best view of this Colossus opens from the Bolshoi Ustinsky Bridge. It is most convenient to get to it from the Novokuznetskaya or Taganskaya metro stations. When you go shooting high-rises, don't forget to take an ultra-wide-angle lens. Practice shows that the entire high-rise barely fits into the frame even at a 24 mm focal length when shooting full frame. The photo below was taken with a lightweight, compact and very sharp Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED.
NIKON Z 7 / 18.0-35.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F14, 5 s, 18.0 mm equiv.
A good view of the skyscraper also opens from the Soaring Bridge in Zaryadye Park.
NIKON Z 7 / 50.0 mm f/1.4 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F14, 5 s, 50.0 mm eq.
Zhivopisny Bridge
A relatively new architectural landmark of the capital. A huge cable-stayed bridge across the Moscow River. For a photographer, it is interesting, first of all, for its red arch of an unusual shape. The bridge is named after Zhivopisnaya Street, which is located nearby. It connects the Serebryany Bor district with the Krylatskoye district. For a photographer, the more interesting side is Serebryany Bor, Zhivopisnaya Street.
Getting there by public transport is more difficult than getting to attractions located in the center. The nearest metro stations are “Polezhaevskaya” and the MCC “Khoroshevo”, and from there you will have to travel several kilometers on trolleybuses 20 or 65 towards Serebryany Bor to the stop “Ulitsa Zhivopisnaya”. In the warm season, you can take spectacular shots from the river bank from under the bridge.
NIKON D850 / 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F11, 20 s, 50.0 mm eq.
Observation deck next to the RAS building
From here you have an excellent view of the Luzhniki sports complex, Moscow City, and the Third Transport Ring.
NIKON D850 / 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 64, F8, 1/4 s, 70.0 mm equiv.
There is also a platform nearby from which you can film the flow of traffic on the Third Transport Ring and MCC trains. To achieve effective blur of traffic in motion, you need to use a tripod and long shutter speeds of about 30 seconds.
NIKON D850 / 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 31, F11, 20 s, 50.0 mm eq.
You can get here from the Gagarin Square MCC station or the Leninsky Prospekt metro station. A visit to this place can be combined with a walk through the Neskuchny Garden, which is located very close.
NIKON D850 / 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 64, F8, 4 s, 60.0 mm eq.
House of Music
Another example of unusual architecture. The dome of the main building made of glass and metal looks unusual. The nearest metro station is Paveletskaya.
NIKON D3500 / 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 100, F9, 3 sec, 27.0 mm equiv.
Here, as in Moscow City, the use of a tripod is not allowed. But if you want to take long exposure night photography, there are plenty of surfaces that can serve as a support for the camera.
NIKON D3500 / 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 100, F9, 3 sec, 27.0 mm equiv.
Observation deck of the Central Children's Store
TsDM is a large shopping center in the very center of Moscow. Right in his building is one of the exits of the Lubyanka metro station.
NIKON D850 / 18.0-35.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 SETTINGS: ISO 320, F5, 1/25 s, 35.0 mm equiv.
In addition to a variety of shops and always interesting interior design, there is also access to the roof. It is located on the sixth floor in the food court area (signs will tell you).
NIKON D850 / 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 1000, F8, 1/100 s, 165.0 mm equiv.
The passage costs very little money, which will definitely pay off thanks to the impressions received. The observation deck offers stunning views of the city center. Perhaps nowhere else in the capital will you see so many architectural monuments and attractions at once.
It’s especially good to watch the sunset here - you can take a lot of beautiful shots against the backdrop of the setting sun. It is advisable to have a telephoto lens with you: it will help you capture not only the general view of the city, but also “snatch” specific buildings.
NIKON D3500 / 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 SETTINGS: ISO 100, F8, 1/2000 s, 450.0 mm equiv.
Business and Old Believer Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker at Tverskaya Zastava
The combination of modernity and antiquity always attracts attention. This is probably why many people fell in love with this place, where two modern business buildings crowd a small Old Believer church.
NIKON Z 7 / 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 110, F3.5, 1/4 s, 14.0 mm equiv.
And the business itself is very photogenic, the atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of Moscow City, only more compact. It will be useful to have wide-angle lenses with you to put the entire architecture in the frame.
This place is located very close to the Belorusskaya metro station, on the opposite side of the Belorussky railway station.
NIKON Z 7 / 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8 SETTINGS: ISO 160, F3.5, 1/4 s, 14.0 mm equiv.
Of course, there are many more interesting places for filming in Moscow. So this is not the last article. And if you can suggest your own shooting points, write about them in the comments.
Dominion Tower
instagram: griiiiiiiiii_
A relatively new building designed by the great London architect Zaha Hadid. The business center is located on Dubrovka, but it’s worth a trip to the southeast of Moscow - not so much to take photos, but to pay tribute to the genius of the artist. You won’t be able to go inside, but no one forbids you from filming from the outside: let your subscribers guess what city you are in.
Moscow Planetarium
Space, stars, other galaxies - this is what humanity has been striving for since it became known that our planet is not alone in the Universe. The first manned flight into space lifted the veil of secrecy for us and helped open new horizons.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to become an astronaut and experience the thrill of flying through cosmic dust for themselves. But at the Moscow Planetarium you can always touch the stars and feel like you’re in outer space!
The planetarium has several halls where you can see the mesmerizing dances of celestial bodies, learn about the structure of our solar system, other galaxies, and look at stars, planets and nebulae through a real huge telescope.
Prices: from 100 rub. (visit to the Sky Park astronomy site) up to 750 rubles. (VIP ticket to the Great Star Hall and the Urania Museum on a weekend or holiday after 14-00). There are benefits.
Address: st. metro station "Barrikadnaya", st. Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya, 5, building 1
Ostankino Tower
Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with tall buildings and skyscrapers. But in the 60s, the newly erected television tower was a real architectural and engineering miracle. And even now the Ostankino Tower is on the honorary list of the tallest towers in the world. Its height is 540.1 meters, and its weight exceeds 55 thousand tons.
Now, like 50 years ago, the Ostankino TV tower is a symbol of the media. From here television and radio broadcasting is carried out to almost all of Russia and abroad.
Those who are not afraid of heights can visit the observation deck of the Ostankino TV tower. You can sign up for a tour here. Next to the observation deck there is the Nebo restaurant complex, where you can have a gourmet dinner in a pleasant atmosphere at the height of a 100-story skyscraper.
Address: st. metro station "VDNKh", st. Academician Koroleva, 15, bldg. 2
Botanical Garden of Moscow State University "Apothecary Garden"
instagram: belyakovaaa_
Drown in greenery without leaving the city? In the “Aptekarsky Ogorod”, which is a five-minute walk from the Prospekt Mira metro station, it’s real! A cozy park, closed pavilions with a wide variety of plants, as well as music concerts, master classes, numerous cafes and even a theater: not only will you be able to take a whole carousel’s worth of photos, but you will also have an interesting time.
Central Park of Culture and Culture named after. Gorky
We have always associated Gorky Park with noisy entertainment, various attractions and bright tents with cotton candy and other treats. Until recently this was the case, but then the Park was completely reconstructed.
Now it has become an island of calm in the middle of the noisy capital. Here you can still go rollerblading or cycling in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. But at the same time, there are practically no attractions left here, and the creators of the new space placed the main emphasis on cultural recreation.
Gorky Park covers a vast territory, including Neskuchny Garden and Muzeon Park. The Green School is located in the enclosures of the central part of Neskuchny Garden. Here you can interact with the animals and even feed some of them. Fluffy squirrels, turtles, pheasants, rabbits, swans and other animals are always welcome!
Those who are interested in astronomy will be interested in visiting the Observatory, where in the warm season everyone can feel like an astronomer and admire the stars.
The park also has a sports center, a greenhouse, a summer cinema, and a lecture hall where lectures are held that reveal to listeners the secrets of the history of Moscow, the secrets of art and stories about amazing travels. For those who like to sit in the shade in the summer heat, recreation areas have been built by the water. Particularly attractive is Olive Beach, where you can lie on wooden boards right on the promenade at the water's edge.
Address: st. metro station "Oktyabrskaya", st. Krymsky Val, 9
SOS.CAFE
instagram: khatuna_kolbaya
High wooden tables, white tiles on the floor, bright turquoise walls with posters, sofas with leather upholstery - the interior of the cafe is straight out of Pulp Fiction. Three-story freakshakes will add drama to the photo: after they appear in the frame, you can safely multiply the usual number of likes under your photo by two. And with the opening of the veranda overlooking one of the most beautiful streets in Moscow, Myasnitskaya, there are even more options for shooting.
But the main news of this summer will be - we are sure - a bathtub filled with donuts, the real thing. Any guest can take a photo in it completely free of charge. The result is pictures that Instagram has definitely never seen before. Use it!
Russian State Library
instagram: yulianna_karaulova
Popularly known as the Lenin Library: and although the name has long been changed, the metro station you need to arrive at still has the same name. If you get there, you will kill two birds with one stone - the building is equally photogenic outside and inside. On the street you can take a photo with the monument to Dostoevsky, inside - on every corner: the atmosphere cannot be conveyed, the proverb “it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times” works here. To get into the library, you need to get a library card or come on a guided tour.
Alexandrovsky Park
It is located right under the ancient walls of the Kremlin, so a walk will bring not only the pleasure of contemplating well-groomed trees and flower beds, but will also allow you to significantly update your knowledge of Russian history. The park got its name from Emperor Alexander II and is divided into three gardens: upper, middle and lower. The park has walking paths past many historical monuments erected in honor of various events from Russian history.
Novodevichy Ponds
A very cozy and intimate park near the walls of the monastery of the same name is an ideal place for secluded walks or romantic dates against the backdrop of a blazing sunset. While children have fun on the excellent playground, adults can stroll along the route looped around a pond with weeping willows, admiring the white walls of the monastery with red lacy tops. Sophia's Tower - also known as Naprudnaya - fulfills any desire, as evidenced by the many inscriptions on its walls.
