Teach Yourself Urban Photography

Shoot the city Struggling to find time for photography? Your fix may be closer than you think Thanks to a combination of advanced building materials and imaginative architects, the modern built-up environment is every bit as beautiful as the hills, valleys and woodland we associate with a traditional landscape. The basics for photographing them both are also very similar. The natural light is the same and should be treated so. The rules of composition work just as well here as they do in any given beauty spot or national park, and even better, we don’t need to splash out on any additional equipment. Having worked in an industry associated with construction for over 25 years, it’s hardly surprising that I was drawn to shooting in the city. With over 80…

Cities represent some of the most energetic, exciting, dynamic and varied environments for photography. When captured well, cityscapes have a unique ability to hold our attention and spark an insatiable wanderlust. Whether it is brightly coloured buildings, stunning architectural feats, mesmerising neon signage, or the motion of traffic and the people who inhabit the city, urban images possess so much potential subject matter that it can be difficult to know where to begin. It is this characteristic that actually forms the greatest challenge for the cityscape photographer. It is the job of image-makers to find the perfect subject in a chaotic world, reducing a scene down to its fundamental elements, and constructing a narrative from those that remain. In a busy location it can be somewhat overwhelming, with hundreds of…

Cityscapes and travel photography go hand in hand. For photographers there is very little more enjoyable or creatively motivating than heading off to a new and exotic city, to explore the many and varied image opportunities. One of the biggest reasons for this enthusiasm is the unfamiliarity of a new setting. When faced with a scene or subject we have never seen or photographed before we are creatively challenged and forced to apply often rarely used skills and expertise. With any technical medium we can end up utilising the same workflow processes time and again, so it’s always a welcome change when knowledge we have archived can be brought forward into use. Unfortunately a little known virus called Covid-19 has caused some disruption to our lives of late, both personally…

Street photography right now seems to be the in-vogue genre for newcomers and experienced photographers around the world. People of all ages are posting their work on social media, entering competitions, attending workshops, festivals and exhibitions, and the sheer volume of photos I see just in Street Photography International’s #SPiCollective pool of images (4.5 million) reiterates its enormous popularity. Some of the reasons for this are because of its accessibility (you don’t need an invite or backstage pass to attend), the lack of equipment required (any one camera is enough), lack of expense (walk to your nearest town), and it’s a great way to keep your eye in if you work in other genres. Even though it’s called street photography, it doesn’t have to be taken on a street –…

Cities are energetic, vibrant and ever-changing places that can provide photographers with a seemingly endless list of photo opportunities. From amazing skylines and unique architecture to the hustle and bustle of the streets, most cities provide enough opportunity to inspire any willing photographer. While I love working in the wild, the majority of my assignments are actually undertaken in the fascinating concrete jungles that so many of us now call home. I have learnt to love the energy of a city and I believe that some of my strongest images have been taken in urban areas. At first, cities can be a little intimidating and tough to shoot for even the most experienced photographers. Being thrown into a congested city, full of life with distractions at every corner, can be…

Uban locations provide some particularly unique challenges as far as camera gear is concerned. Whether you are travelling to the other side of the world or a location a short distance from your home, urban locations are not the easiest places to take photos, and you need to think carefully about the equipment you choose. Some of the difficulties are practical ones, while others are more to do with your safety and security, and that of your gear. Important features to think about are the size and shape of your camera itself. The bigger the camera, the heavier it is likely to be and the more space it will take up in your camera bag. A huge camera and lens is also going to be highly visible and will draw…