When to go
It'll be much more comfortable to photograph in the external terrace during the warmer months, but all months are suitable to capture this spectacular view from The Shard.
This classic view is best captured right after sunset during blue hour when the fading ambient light makes a nice contrast with the glowing artificial lights from the buildings.
Field tips
It get chilly on the viewing deck, so dress warm!
Tripods (including very small ones) and other large equipment aren't allowed in The Shard and will be held by security until you leave.
The top floor is best for photos as you have less panes of glass to shoot through and can worry less about reflections.
From this far distance up above, I recommend using a long lens (65mm) to zoom in tightly onto the buildings.
To capture long exposures or low ISO photos, you'll need to rest your camera on the floor. I find it best to sit down on the carpet of the viewing deck and position your gear on the wooden board by the glass.
Window reflections can be a real pain up in The Shard, so make sure you're wearing dark clothing or have a dark jacket to mask out around your camera. A lens skirt that attaches to the glass can help a lot too, but the staff will occasionally tell you to not use it.