In this lesson: Explore methods to convey the beauty of the urban jungle

While it is easy enough to take a quick snapshot of a city from eye level while you’re on vacation, if you are serious about making substantive cityscape images, it may take more time and effort.

Just like the other types of photography we’ve discussed so far – portraits, landscapes, and the like – cityscape photography requires certain skills to create images that are as eye-catching as possible. As is always the case, elements like timing, lighting, framing, and the gear you have with you will determine, in part, the success of your image.

So too will your image be impacted by the compositional choices you make. For example, looking for ways to highlight contrast can turn a so-so image into something much more spectacular. Contrast usually refers to lighting or color, both of which are important elements to consider when composing your image. Look for ways to highlight light and dark, bright colors with muted colors, and so on.

It’s important as well to think about contrast in less photographic terms. Cities are teeming with people of varying racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, and using those elements in your images can make for an extremely powerful image. Something as simple as using a sign, as was done in the Little Italy sample image, can help you start a visual story in which you create a series of images that put the uniqueness of that community on display in your cityscapes.

But, like landscape photography, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work to be done before you even set out into the city. Let’s explore a couple of preparations you should undertake that will make your cityscape adventures more fruitful.

Be Purposeful in Your Planning

Though cityscape photography might seem, at first glance, to be something that’s spur of the moment, it usually isn’t. Instead, there is a lot of time invested in determining where and when to shoot – and what to shoot as well.

There is no lack of subject matter in an urban area, so do some research prior to your photo shoot to determine what subject matter you wish to highlight. Identify a handful of locations, preferably within walking distance of one another. Consider your timing as well. For example, if you want to show the life and vitality of the city, shooting during morning or evening rush hour when the streets and sidewalks are at their fullest is a good plan.

Likewise, all the typical factors will come into play here. Think about the lighting that’s available, not just in the context of the time of day but also in terms of the city’s geography. For example, if you want to shoot street scenes, you’ll need to be aware of when the area catches light from the sun and when it is cast in shadow by surrounding buildings.

The process of planning will also need to include an examination of the gear you want to take. If you want to focus on the people of the city, a standard lens might be your best bet. If you prefer to explore the vastness of the urban jungle, a wide-angle lens would be preferable. Conversely, if you want to focus on smaller details of the cityscape, opt for a zoom lens.

Go Small

Part of the lure of the big city is the sheer space it occupies. There is a lot of life and fast-paced action in urban areas, and seeing it as a larger whole, as a big picture, is typically how visitors view the urban jungle.

However, it’s that very same life and fast-paced action that begs for a more intimate photo of the cityscape. Meaning, rather than just taking far-off shots of a city’s skyline, challenge yourself to get onto street level and find vignettes among the chaos that might make for a compelling image. If you do that, the chances are likely that you’ll find ways to express an emotion, communicate a thought, or otherwise connect with the viewer on a more personal level.

The beauty of going small is the sheer number of choices you have in a big city. You can take a person’s portrait on the street, try a landscape shot in a park, take detailed images of architectural elements, and so on.

Challenge Activity

In this challenge activity, you’ll put together a plan to photograph cityscapes.

Step 1: Identify an area in a nearby city that offers plenty of photographic opportunities. Remember to think outside the box and give yourself chances to photograph everything from skylines to people to nature within the city.

Step 2: Once you’ve identified an area to shoot, think about the types of photos you wish to create, and select the gear you take based on your plan. For example, if you want to focus on images that show the interactions of people in the city, a standard lens would be a good choice.

Step 3: Visit the location you’ve selected and look for ways you can use contrast to your advantage. Remember to think about contrast in multiple terms – light, color, elements that are hard and soft, and contrasts among people are good places to start.

Step 4: Challenge yourself to go small and document vignettes within the larger cityscape. Photographing people, architectural details, and even textures or patterns created by shadows are possible ideas.