A Few Tips for Photographing your Favorite Skyline

The city of Denver, taken at ground-level, just before sunset.

Looking to take some unique images of a skyline or cityscape? Try to mix things up a bit with angles and lighting. Experimenting with different angles and light can help you capture the perfect image.

Angle - With any city there are different angles and locations in which photographs of the city look quite different. For example, Chicago looks different from 31st Street than it does from River West. It’s almost like taking a portrait, people will appear differently depending on the angle in which the photograph is taken. Try shooting your favorite skyline from different locations and angles. Photographing from ground level can produces images as interesting as photographs from a rooftop or patio. The more creative you get the more interesting your photographs will look.

Chicago skyline, taken from a patio in the South Loop, during sunset.

Light - Finding the right combination of natural light and light emitted from the city is key. In major cities the combination of natural light and light radiating from the city can create some really extraordinary images. In my opinion some of the best times to shoot a cityscape would be just after sunset or during the twilight hours, due to the combination of natural and radiant lighting.

Have any additional suggestions or techniques that work for you? Share them below!