It isn’t hard to see why
many photographers choose urban and city landscapes as the environment for
their best work. A wealth of art, architecture, history, nature and humanity
fills the corners of city and urban centres, creating an incredible juxtaposition
of history and modernity, nature and technology, and daytime and nightlife.
A great example of this is
the presence of historical landmarks in a modern setting. Photographing the two
separately will produce stunning subject specific photos, so while photographing
historical landmarks or modern architectural masterpieces it is important to
focus on the detail of the buildings with a strong zoom. By focussing on
certain aspects of the building, this will also give you a different
perspective, which could lead to a rather interesting and original photo. However,
in many major cities, there is also the opportunity to snap some of the most
admired historical buildings in direct contrast with the modern landscape in
which they now stand. Capturing this contrast takes a keen eye for light and
shade to optimise the appearance of both structures.
If you are lucky enough,
you might find yourself in a city or urban space that has access to a number of
parks, zoos or nature reserves nearby. These are perfect spots for a bit of
photography, as the presence of nature in the midst of a human environment can
create interesting contrasts and startling diversity in your photos. Lakes and
rivers running through the city can also provide the aspect of reflection to
your work, which, if found must be utilised, paying particular attention to the
time of day, the light, and the shade and how this alters the mirror effect of
the water.
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| Crime scene in central London |
It is also important to
remember when visiting a major city or place of architectural beauty that the
buildings are not the only things to photograph. Office workers, construction
workers, school children, pensioners, teenagers and married couples are all
wandering the streets where these buildings have stood for many years, and
noting the contrast of history and modernity through photographing people is
also an interesting angle.
Photographing city and
urban landscapes in the day creates a completely different quality to the one photographed
at night. Workers turn into party goers, and teenagers and young people hang
out on the city streets. The entire scene takes on a new quality, particularly
when street and building lights create a haze across the city, an aspect which
can be manipulated to incredible effect.
Different types of
transport in the area offer a range of interesting city shots. Trams, buses,
and underground trains are perfect spots to capture some interesting action and
expression shots, and riding the bus can also be a great way to get to know an area
and scope out the best places for capturing your ideal shot. Getting to know
the city on public transport can also give photographers who are new to the
city a general idea of its personality, which they could incorporate in their
photography.
Finally, one of the best
and simplest pieces of advice that I have received is to simply travel light.
Many photographers, who might only have a day or two to shoot a city, often opt
for a point and shoot camera, particularly if they intend to take shots in crowded
areas, confined spots and on the move.
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