Urban photography is often referred to in the same context as street photography but it’s a broader genre that can include anything within a built-up, urban environment.
Focusing on the study of objects and elements in urban environments, urban photography usually emphasises the surroundings and uses them to make statements about time and place. People are not always included in the images, unlike in street photography.
We held a photography challenge on urban photography, and chose five images which we feel define it.
Utilising different city spaces, subjects, and colours, these five photos show just what urban photography is, and how diverse it can be.
Along with some tips to consider, check out these 5 examples:
1. Colour
Great urban photographs don’t need to be black and white.
We love the use of colour in this vibrant shot from Cathy Dupuy. It has great composition and is a really great example of well controlled exposure. The use of just two contrasting colours is fantastic.
2. Framing
Countless details can be found in cities. Always be on the lookout for interesting shapes, backgrounds and foregrounds. And don’t forget the detail in crafting your framing.
This is a really interesting composition from Gareth John Stark. The use of the fencing as the foreground in this shot shows great technique. Capturing a straight horizon would help to give this image even more strength.
3. Movement
Cities are busy places, so try to capture the movement of people and vehicles. Panning is often overlooked as a photography technique but following your subject with your camera, so that they stay in focus but the background is blurred with movement, is a great way to capture motion.
This really interesting action shot from Ian Horne just shows what can be achieved when being in the right place, at the right time. This image has perfect panning technique, creating a real sense of movement.
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4. Shapes
To create a flow for the viewers eyes to follow, it’s always good to keep the basics of composition in your mind, such as having clear foreground, middle ground, and background.
Additionally, this image by Mac Oberoi is a fantastic example of an urban landscape. The silhouettes of the buildings in the foreground form striking shapes and frame the Chrysler Building nicely.
5. People
People can make fantastic subjects for urban photos, and blurs the lines with street photography. Big cities are full of characters.
Just like this image by Stefan Lubomirski de Vaux.
It captures a moment perfectly, within an urban environment. The composition and black and white is perfect and adds to the whole feel of the shot.
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Andrew is a professional photographer and the founder of the 36exp Photographers School plus the London Photo Show.
FAQs
Focusing on the study of objects and elements in urban environments, urban photography usually emphasises the surroundings and uses them to make statements about time and place. People are not always included in the images, unlike in street photography.
What is meant by urban photography? ›
Urban photography is a genre of photography concerned with capturing scenes from urban spaces, such as towns and other ecological spaces. It has become more popular over the years as the world has become more urbanized. It is an interdisciplinary study which links to landscape and street photography.
What is urban style photography? ›
Urban photography is a visual representation of urban spaces and everything that shapes their environment, from geometric and architectural structures to people and other living things. This varied discipline can merge with other genres, such as architectural, documentary, portrait, and fine art photography.
How do you make urban pictures? ›
8 Tips for Shooting Urban Photography
- Choose a camera that fits your needs. ...
- Use color to your advantage. ...
- Use natural light to guide your shot selection. ...
- Use slow shutter speeds to capture motion. ...
- Know the right lens for the right situations. ...
- Shoot during golden hour. ...
- Change your vantage point.
The big difference between cityscape and street photography composition is just the time that you have to compose. With compositions for cityscapes, you can take your time, while for street photography you have to act so quickly that it becomes almost instinctual over time.
What do you wear to an urban photoshoot? ›
Patterns and layers add interest and cohesion to your images. Vests, scarves, necklaces, jackets, boots and socks all can add layering that will add pops of color and cohesion with others in your photograph. You want to be coordinated but not matchy matchy. Don't have everyone wear the same color.
What does urban design look like? ›
Urban design covers a broad range of places, from towns and cities to residential neighbourhoods and suburbs or even the grassy play areas, industrial estates and overlooked spaces surrounding train stations, rivers and canals. Urban design covers the buildings and the spaces between them and how they are connected.
What defines urban style? ›
Urban interior design blends elements of contemporary, modern, and industrial designs to create a unique style that's perfect for inner-city living. Having a softer, more comfortable look than industrial design styles, urban design embraces warehouse conversions and loft environments as its foundation.
What is urban nature photography? ›
Urban landscape photography, at its broadest, involves capturing photos of cities and towns. Generally speaking, an urban landscape shot has a more expansive field of view – capturing more than just a single subject – and is taken outdoors.
Does street photography have to be urban? ›
Street photography does not necessitate the presence of a street or even the urban environment. Though people usually feature directly, street photography might be absent of people and can be of an object or environment where the image projects a decidedly human character in facsimile or aesthetic.
The term “urban imagery” usually refers to studies that are concerned with images of the city, i.e., with conceptions in our minds about that complex physical reality we call cities.
What is urban geometry photography? ›
'Urban Geometry' is a visual interpretation of present architecture through the lens of a self taught photographer with no architectural background.
How to take urban landscape photos? ›
Don't just shoot from eye level or from the same spot. Try different angles, heights, and distances. Look up, look down, all around. You can also use a drone, a ladder, a rooftop, a bridge, or a window to get a different view of the urban landscape.
What lens is best for cityscape photography? ›
Most cityscape photographers use a wide-angle lens, such as the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM. This is because it allows them to frame very wide or tall scenes. A 35mm or 50mm lens provides a narrower — but still wide enough — perspective. If you want an extreme effect, go for a fish-eye lens.
What are the 7 elements of photography? ›
There are seven basic elements of photographic art: line, shape, form, texture, color, size, and depth. As a photographic artist, your knowledge and awareness of these different elements can be vital to the success of your composition and help convey the meaning of your photograph.
What are city photos called? ›
Street photography is typically defined as a genre of photography that depicts daily life in public places.
What defines urban design? ›
Urban design involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and establishing frameworks and procedures that will deliver successful development by different people over time.
What does an urban setting look like? ›
Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures, such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and railways. "Urban area" can refer to towns, cities, and suburbs.
