Urban

Photographing a tall, thin building isn’t an easy task as it can often protrude awkwardly from its surroundings. One way to balance a composition is to capture a frame within a frame and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better example than this photo of the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower in Birmingham.

This unusual cityscape has immortalised an incredible moment in time. On the morning it was photographed, Dubai Marina was blanketed in a thick layer of fog. But from a vantage point high up on the 86th floor of a skyscraper, Borisov was able to frame other tall buildings breaching the layers of mist below. The subtle editing and thick fog creates a brooding dystopian atmosphere.

When viewed from high up in the Willis Tower the city lights far below reveal Chicago’s grid layout. Remarkably, this incredible image was captured through glass and handheld, since the building didn’t permit tripods. Even at 16mm this is incredibly sharp when you consider the 1/5 sec shutter speed.

This image is dripping with atmosphere and its composition follows the golden ratio very closely. The arching stairs lead the eye towards the lone figure and the sparse surroundings only enhance the feeling of isolation. We really like the subtle lighting and cool colour temperature, which gives the image a decidedly futuristic-dystopian vibe.

It’s easy to forgo heading out with the camera when it rains, but this image is proof that wet weather is simply another opportunity to capture great photos. The composition, reflections, brooding sky and crisply captured pigeons all add plenty of interest, and the black and white conversion was a clever choice as it helps suppress unwanted distractions in the busy scene.

This cinematic image was captured in London’s South Bank. The lighting, positioned directly behind the subjects, has created a contre-jour effect and long shadows, which adds to the moody film-noir aesthetic and leads the viewer’s eye. Colourful graffiti in the background might have proved distracting, but this has been avoided via a monochrome conversion.

This documentary-style image depicts two mechanics fixing a scooter. A vignette centres the viewer’s attention on the pair before the eye drifts towards the giant Vespa Piaggio sign. We like how the light pulls the subject from the garage’s cluttered background. A fantastic example of reportage!

This cityscape sunset was captured in Kuwait City. We love how the curved paving leads the eye towards the skyline subject and how the low angle maximises the effect of the reflections in the water. The editing is fantastic too, tastefully amplifying the sky’s purple and pink hues.

This clever frame-within-a-frame image was photographed from beneath Calder's Flamingo in Chicago. The sculpture draws the viewer’s eye towards the centre of the frame and onto the high-rise subject, while the vibrant red against the muted cityscape creates a natural colour-popping effect. A beautiful image!

This panning shot of a man riding a bike was captured in Hong Kong. By slowing the shutter speed and continually focusing on the subject while panning, lashings of motion blur have been captured while the subject’s face is tack-sharp. A difficult technique to master and a fantastic image!

This architectural image depicts a lone figure beneath Tehran’s Azadi Tower. Not only is the image perfectly symmetrical, but the guard is positioned right in the centre of the archway and facing at a perfect 90-degree angle. His uniform could also be a metaphor for the uniformity of the image’s composition.

An isolated figure is a hallmark of urban photography and this image certainly doesn’t disappoint. The silhouetted figure pops against the bright light source and the inside of the tunnel is partially illuminated to reveal its impressive swirling construction. A fantastic image!

No urban competition would be complete without an urbex image, and this example stands out due to its front-to-back sharpness and attractive lighting. Left slightly ajar, the sunlight slips through the window and door, only adding to the eerie atmosphere.

The timing required to blur passersby without obscuring the man on his phone, while also capturing said subject perfectly sharp makes this a difficult image to capture. And when you consider it was shot at 1/8 sec at a focal length of 70mm it’s all the more impressive!

The light and shadows in this capture form a fractal-like pattern. The minimalist nature of the image immediately draws the viewer to the solitary figure and the impact is amplified when you realise the subject is perfectly positioned over one of the squares of light.