North bank Pool of London, some similarities can be observed between the old and new scenes. Courtesy the artists

A fascinating insight into the changing face of riverside London is on show at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames until January 8 2006.

Photographers Mike Seaborne, Graham Diprose and Charles Craig, inspired by a Port of London-commissioned panorama of the river from London Bridge to Greenwich, have recaptured the scene in its modern form.

“This exhibition is a must for anyone who loves London and its river or those interested in urban history and photography”, say event organisers.

North Bank St Katharines Dock. Big changes have not touched Tower Bridge. Courtesy the artists

The original panorama shows London’s docklands in their peak of productivity, a hive of activity as the world’s greatest port. Ships, barges and boats take their cargoes to and from an array of factories, warehouses and processing plants.

It's a distant memory of this modern, affluent, area as it is today.

Although the area is now highly redeveloped and ‘sanitised’ with prestigious office complexes and luxury apartments, the contrasting images show that not all links with its industrial past have been lost.

The changes over the 60-year period may be dramatic but many of the sites are still recognisable as the old buildings have been put to modern use with their exteriors remaining the same.

North Bank Limehouse Sparks Wharf. Although some features remain, the area has changed greatly. Courtesy the artists

To help the viewer’s imagination, the contrasting images have been juxtaposed in the display to highlight the striking differences between the two worlds separated only by time.

The images of the landmarks between Billingsgate Fish Market and Canary Wharf have been set out as a series of over 100 photographs in a book that echoes the display.

With no need to have to recall past times, this is a piece of nostalgia for everyone to enjoy.