Cities are some of the most exciting locations to photograph. You’ll almost always find an exciting event, plus plenty of activities and interesting locals. Every place has a story to tell, and in many cases, you’ll need to think about what you should leave out rather than fretting about things to add.

But while cities are exciting to capture, you could frequently find yourself overwhelmed. Moreover, it can be difficult to get unique shots—especially in places like New York and Tokyo, with streets that millions of photographers have trodden before you.

Are you struggling with your urban photography? Or do you simply want tips for taking your urban photography to the next level? You’re in the right place. Let’s find out how you can better capture a city.

1. Look for Unique Vantage Points

photo of a city from a viewpoint

When most people visit a city or walk around their hometown, they typically remain at street level. And if they find somewhere to capture the city from above, you’ll notice that their pictures are generally from observation decks and viewpoints popular with the tourists.

If you want to capture unique shots of your city, you can look for unusual vantage points. Many shopping centers have views over the rest of the city or their streets below, and you could also find a hotel or several interesting Airbnb rentals with a unique perspective of the place you visit.

When looking for interesting vantage points, remember that you should never—under any circumstances—trespass on someone else’s property. If you’re in doubt, ask.

2. Limit the Gear You Take With You

Photo of a camera sticking outside a bag

With so many things to capture, taking all your camera bodies and lenses is very tempting. But before you throw everything into your bag, we strongly recommend that you take a step back and think.

Taking multiple cameras and lenses on a single shoot can backfire spectacularly. Rather than focusing on capturing the image you desire, you’ll often spend lots of needless time changing your lenses and recalibrating your device. As a result, you’ll miss several worthwhile photography moments.

Pick one camera body and a maximum of two lenses. You might want to consider more versatile options for the latter, such as the 50mm lens.

3. Think About Textures

photo of textures on a building

Several aspects can make an image look great, and understanding as many of these as possible will make you a more versatile photographer. Textures are often complicated to capture, but you can bring life to your images that you never thought was possible when you do so correctly.

In a city, you can find textures almost everywhere. Buildings are often the best examples; you’ll find everything from bricks to glass and several interesting shapes to play around with.

Using textures in photography can help add another dimension to your photos, and you can enhance them in post-production. If you publish your pics on social media, you might find that your audience finds them particularly engaging.

4. Give Nighttime Urban Photography a Try

photo of signs at night

Many cities always have something going on, and if you go around at night, you’ll notice a different vibe altogether.

Night photography is challenging to master, and you’ll often need to use a tripod or set your camera on a stable surface. However, the genre is also versatile. Examples of night photography styles you can capture in cities include:

  • Skylines
  • Nightlife (such as food markets)
  • Street photography

If you don’t have a tripod, you can still get good results by widening your aperture and using lights in and around the city.

5. Take in Your Surroundings for a While

Photo of a person taking in their surroundings in Times Square

Urban photography is exciting, especially if you’re taking your camera somewhere new. We can understand why many photographers get trigger-happy and try to capture everything.

Taking lots of photos without thinking can work, but slowing down for a moment can significantly improve the results. Before taking pictures, spend about 20 minutes taking in your surroundings. Focus on your senses beyond sight alone, such as sounds and smells.

Once you’ve taken in your surroundings, you’ll find capturing shots that portray the emotions you felt at that time much more straightforward. As a result, your work will look and feel more authentic.

6. Take Inspiration From Other Photographers in the City

photo of a camera on a book

Urban photography is a broad genre that many photographers have tried. Regardless of whether you’re traveling to a new city or capturing the story of your hometown, you’ll almost certainly find dozens—if not hundreds—of people that have showcased the same place through their perspective.

Looking at other photographers’ work can provide a source of inspiration. Additionally, you’re more likely to think differently when you go out with your camera—meaning that you’ll get a good set of unique shots.

7. Take Portraits of the Locals

photo of a person in a tunnel

Most cities on the planet have one thing in common: the people that live (and lived) there have helped turn the place into what it is today. Including people in your shots is a good idea if you’re looking to improve your urban photography.

One way to stand out as an urban photographer is to ask the locals if you can take portraits of them and allow them to tell the story for you. You can expect some rejections and will probably feel nervous, but most people are pretty receptive.

By taking portraits of the people who live in the city you’re trying to photograph, your work will have an extra layer of authenticity.

8. Think About Colors

photo of backpacks in a store window

Color is a huge part of photography, and understanding how different shades work in harmony with (or against) one another can significantly improve how your images look. You’ll find many contrasting colors in every city, and knowing which ones to capture is often tricky.

In urban photography, you should try to capture the mood of that city. For example, if you went to Manchester in the winter, you’d probably find a melancholic atmosphere compared to Lisbon in the height of summer. So, a subdued palette would be wise for the former—and perhaps something more colorful would work for the latter.

If you’re struggling to understand which colors work well together, consider learning the basics of color theory.

Every City Has a Story, You Just Need to Capture It

Cities are often some of the most inspiring places for photographers. You’ll find people doing a range of interesting things and adding creative flair to the place they live, along with intriguing architecture and heaps of history. Trying to capture the different sights and sounds is complex, but a rewarding experience nonetheless.

Our tips in this article should have given you a starting point for photographing cities. But since each experience is unique, the only way to truly enhance your urban photography is by grabbing your camera and getting outside.