Focus on interactions with the landscape

A city is much more than a collection of buildings, however aesthetically pleasing these might look. They’re the places where we work, live, play and rest; they are our homes. Generally, when exploring a new city, it’s therefore the people we identify with and remember the most, so capturing human activity is a great leadin for the audience of our cityscape images. Use lenses longer than 70mm to compress crowds and make them seem part of the urban scene. Alternatively, use a focal length of 14mm or wider to transport the viewer into the scene, making them feel like part of the throng. Look for links between your subjects and their surroundings; a smartly dressed person in front of a glass facade in the financial district, for example, or a waiter backlit by the out-of-focus lights of a restaurant. Also, look for colour contrasts between clothing and architectural elements.