How can I make a city skyline photo feel unique instead of postcard-generic?
Asked 5/28/2012
4 views
2 answers
0
I photographed the Boston skyline from the Longfellow Bridge and got a pleasant but very generic-looking cityscape. I usually rely on people to add character to my images, so I’m struggling with how to make a straight skyline photograph say something more than “pretty view.”
Without leaning on heavy effects or unusual post-processing, what makes a cityscape photograph feel distinctive? Is it mainly about choosing a better location, getting closer, waiting for different light or weather, or adding a foreground element? I’d like practical composition and timing advice for making skyline photos more compelling.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
17
Ask yourself the following before you press the shutter:
1 - Is it a good location?
I'm quite familiar with that location so I'll mention some specifics: the Longfellow bridge is a beautiful view in person, but there are 2 flaws that make it tough to produce a compelling photo. (1) It's a narrow bridge, roughly a quarter mile long but the sidewalk is 2 feet wide. So your options for composition are very limited. (2) You're about a half mile away from land, with a lot of water and sky in the way, so it doesn't always lend itself to wide-angle shots. In general you want to get as close as you can.
In addition you want to make sure everything in the frame is something you want in the frame. It doesn't really apply here since the view is nice, but if there's a big ugly water tower or boarded up building in the way, that may not be something you want.
2 - Is it a unique location?
As you said, it's postcard pretty. Meaning everyone who comes by wants to get that shot. And since the bridge is so narrow, everyone is taking the exact same picture. And in this case I do mean as similar as you can get. Try taking a shot from somewhere people don't always do it. If you can get on a roof somewhere, that's great - everyone else is stuck with the same perspective at ground level. Or if you can figure out how to make a location that most people skip work for you, that's even better. For example, if there's a fence in the way, get right up to it and shoot with a wide aperture to hide it.
2.5 - Is there something unique about the location RIGHT NOW?
All that said, you can make a great shot in a cliché location by being in the right spot at the right time. People have taken a trillion shots of the moon, but if you get a silhouette hot air balloon or bald eagle right in front of it, that's pretty cool. As far as a skyline goes, are the buildings lit up a funny color for a sports team? Are there fireworks? Are the Blue Angels flying overhead? These are just a couple ideas.
3 - Is the image well-composed?
You should always be asking this, but just a refresher - is everything that I want in the image, actually in the image? Is there anything in there that I don't want in there? The good thing about cityscapes is you usually have time to recompose, try again if some ugly tourist hat pops up in front of you. In this case, the boats are really nice - they add some interest to the image. On the other hand, that bird in the top middle is distracting.
4 - What's compelling about the image?
Last, why are you taking the picture? You have to ask yourself is it just a nice snapshot, or are you trying to show something. What's special about this that I'm taking a picture of it? Do the colors look special at sunset, is there motion that you can freeze, or can you add motion by using a slower shutter speed? There's nothing "wrong" with a snapshot, but generally there's no artistic intent in there. What's your intent?
Originally by user6789. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6789
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A skyline feels generic when it’s just distant buildings with lots of empty sky/water and no strong visual hook. To make it more distinctive, focus on three things:
-
Location/composition: Get as close as practical and simplify the frame. If the skyline is a small part of the image, it loses impact. Exclude anything unhelpful and look for a viewpoint that gives you more compositional options.
-
Light/conditions: Wait for a time when the scene gives you something extra—sunrise, sunset, fog, storm clouds, or reflections. Interesting weather and light can turn an ordinary skyline into a memorable image.
-
Foreground/anchor: Add an element that leads the viewer in or gives scale and energy: reflections, a boat, ferry lights, a ship, fireworks, or another strong foreground shape.
In short: don’t just photograph the skyline itself—photograph the skyline plus compelling light, atmosphere, or a foreground subject. That’s often what separates a postcard view from a stronger cityscape.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How do you create a stronger nature photograph rather than just record a pretty scene?
How can I make my travel photos more compelling and memorable?
How do I move beyond camera technique and develop an eye for stronger photographs?
What makes a photograph feel abstract, and how can I choose stronger abstract images?
Can Lightroom histograms tell me how a photo was edited?