There’s nothing quite like the energy of a bustling city, is there? Between the ever-evolving streetscapes, unique architecture, the seemingly endless amount of subjects passing by, and the vivid textures and colors of every street and alleyway, there’s no doubt why so many photographers love shooting in the city. For the photographer who’s about to jet into a major metropolis, here are five tried-and-true tips for taking better city photos during your travels.
1. Research unique neighborhoods
When planning to shoot locations in an unfamiliar city, it’s important to dive deep into neighborhood research. I love to find charming, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods to give a more local perspective. Once you’ve found a few neighborhoods that utterly sweep you off your feet, photograph the best exteriors you can find, block by block.
Hold your camera up as high as you can, and always be sure to shoot as straight as possible to get a symmetrical look at fascinating facades. It goes without saying, but triple check to make sure your camera is properly aligned on every axis in relation to the subject. Should you happen to find some off-kilter images you’d like to edit, I recommend the Skrwt app to straighten out the image.
2. Time shoots around golden hour
Shooting during the harsh midday light can be a nightmare when shooting city photos. You’ll find that skyscrapers and multi-storied buildings create shadows that can be a real pain to overcome. That’s why I always try to organize my city exploration shoots during golden hour. The golden light radiates off of every corner of exteriors, bringing excellent light and a nostalgic, cozy feeling to any facade or exterior you may be shooting.
3. Capture city life in its fullest
Try to capture the city as life is happening! Stride-by city photos are a great way to make any moment feel real and tangible while illustrating the buzz of city life. Movement and blurred lines can be fun to play with, so have fun with longer exposures in between capturing crisp images.
If you’re short on time to explore your city, but you’re aiming to capture as many images as possible, book a trip on a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus when you first arrive. If you’re unfamiliar with a city’s layout, it’s a great way to get a feel for where major attractions are, and you can take mental notes of the places you want to go back to and photograph later. These busses are also elevated if you sit on the top level, which is an excellent way to give your shots perspectives a little higher above ground.
4. Challenge yourself to re-think popular locations
Major sights in major cities have been shot over and over again. So how can you bring new life to an over-shared location? That’s the challenge, isn’t it? Challenge yourself to find more creative perspectives of overdone locations by giving yourself room to experiment. Look into public spaces you can visit to gain a different perspective of a major bridge or attraction, shoot from the hip or from the ground, play with textures and soft focus… the possibilities are limitless, you just have to give yourself a few minutes to have fun with your shooting!
5. Plan your travels around bloom and foliage seasons
Before booking travel to a new city, try to plan your trips around peak bloom seasons for the most vibrant colors. If you have the flexibility to schedule your city trip any time of the year, a quick Google search should show you peak foliage season to help time your trip. Flowers, foliage, and changing seasons instantly make shots more interesting and textural. Not to mention, colorful blooms add dimension and a new twist on familiar sights.
