Looking Up In Towns and Cities
Simon Hadleigh-Sparks

Looking Up In Towns and Cities

May 2023

I was initially drawn to this photo due to the photographers dramatic edit. I really like the clean lines of the buildings with the pop of colour. I like that the photographer has elected to present this photo in square format as I think this enhances the image.

Crowd
winner
Entry 15006842
144th
57
Entry 15009166
4th
107
Entry 15014272
621st
240
Expert
winner
Entry 15016222
1642nd
1
111

This is one of my favourite entries for this theme. I particularly liked how the photographer has managed to capture all of the architectural lines and texture of the buildings. Lovely vibrant colors enhance the image and I like how the eyes look straight back at you. A clever photo and a worthy winner.

4,272 Images entered

Entry 15009464
1044th
43
Entry 15027773
773rd
70

I really like the simplicity of this look up photo. The pop of colour against the blue sky make this an image that instantly makes you think about summer holidays. I like how the photographer has thought about the composition. A lovely image.

I immediately that this was a clever entry into this look up contest. I like that the photographer has elected to submit a black and white image without using too much contrast to capture the feets of the subjects above. A unique shot, well done.

Entry 15069715
1327th
35
Entry 15069716
695th
165
Entry 15069717
814th
132
Entry 15069719
187th
478
Entry 15069720
1275th
154
Entry 15306292
259th
23
Entry 15370929
41st
33
Entry 15581031
33rd
11
Entry 15825585
1530th
21
Entry 15943534
1943rd
15
Entry 16203264
40th
70

I was immediately drawn to this image due to the colour and tone of the edit. I like the way that the photographer has captured the symmetry and clean lines of the building. The photograph is almost hypnotic if you look at it for too long!

I really liked this unique look up photograph. A clever composition with good use of contrast and tone which adds drama to the shot. The copper pipe railings make this feel as though it is a shot from a science fiction film. Well done.

Meet the expert judge

I really like this look up shot from Munich. You can see that the photographer has captured the curve of the structure in the foreground and has thought about the composition setting it against the surrounding building on three sides. The contrast and edit make this a lovely photo.

2,230 Photographers

Entry 15937921
1600th
60

I like the clean lines of this architectural look up photo. It was a bold decision to present a close crop of the architecture which I think works well in this image. I like hove the crisp curves draw the eye.

I really like how the photographer has captured the detail of the architecture whilst using the silhouette of a person to give the image scale. If the image had been cropped to remove the shadow on the right hand side this would have moved focus onto the subject which would in my opinion would have improved the overall composition.

Entry 16159685
463rd
1
126
Entry 16228766
1946th
16

I like this unique entry into the look up contest as the photographer has intentionally used camera movement to add interest to this architectural look up shot. I especially like the used of colour which compliments the soft lines created by the motion. A good entry.

Entry 16248078
1298th
56
Entry 16479984
7th
176
Entry 16524688
6th
71

129,657 Ratings

Entry 15004523
37th
94

I like the way that the photographer has used light and shadow in this photo whilst still retaining the texture of the sutters and the concrete walls. I like how it is set against the clothes on the washing line which add a softness to the shot. I lovely observational shot.

I like this photographers interpretation of the the look up theme. I like how sharp the pigeons are and how they are all lined up on the overhead wire. The soft texture of the clouds in the background make the birds stand out and I like that the photographer has composed the image drawing the eye across the image, corner to corner.

Entry 15006656
1619th
48
Entry 15013110
47th
14
Entry 15021262
17th
190
Entry 15064225
16th
213
Entry 15075156
29th
46
Entry 15211481
19th
106
Entry 15375393
2322nd
27

I like the sharp edges and clean lines of the architecture in this image. I think it could be improved if the photographer experiments with keystoning to bring forward the vertical lines, that being said the slight curve adds to the flow and texture of the image.

Entry 15554250
45th
111
Entry 15815544
2352nd
28

I like how the photographer has presented this image by providing the write frame which enhances the image. The photographer has made good use of the architectural symmetry whilst retaining the colour, tone and texture of the stone. A very nice image, well done.

Entry 15837296
55th
40
Entry 15837297
32nd
29
Entry 16077897
28th
42
Entry 16211869
35th
98
Entry 16381617
58th
371
Entry 16433814
53rd
11
Entry 16479981
52nd
118
Entry 16479982
31st
79
Entry 16580857
390th
22
Entry 16580877
3738th
4
Entry 16580930
70th
1
356
Entry 16580945
14th
1
204
Entry 16580952
1078th
18
Entry 16581036
93rd
286
Entry 16581797
391st
16
Entry 16582098
610th
107
Entry 16582099
1035th
77
Entry 16582113
1098th
5

Brief

See more contest details

If you’ve ever been on a walking tour of a city, then you may have got out of the habit of never looking up when treading the pavements. There are rewards aplenty when you look above the storefronts and front doors, and marvel at the architecture that lives there. Usually less tampered with over the years, more authentic, and in cities rewarded with views of taller buildings too. As well as buildings, there are urban trees, construction cranes, monuments, and more. Go exploring and see what you can find.