Looking for tips on Cityscape and Landscape Photography.

[Aryan]

Like the topic suggests, I am looking for some real good and usable tips on "Cityscape" and "Landscape" photography. There are tips and tricks galore available off the net, but I specifically wanted to know what some of us do or go about shooting cityscapes and landscape photographs; especially Cityscapes.

Any help and tip(s) in this regard would be great. I am sure this can help all of us, here at thePhotographer.in, because Cityscape and Landscape are two of the most difficult and challenging 'subjects' of photography.

Thanks,
-Aryan

[KrishnenduKes]

Discussion Approved

[Deltaone]

Get an ultrawide and shoot :P.

[rio008]

good to know that you are intrested in cityscape/landscape shoots :)

[synn]

Ultrawides/ Tilt 'n Shifts/ Fisheyes (If one wants to be abstract)/ NDs and for canon users a horizon marking screen overlay are all essential for land/cityscapers. Oh, and go full frame if you can afford it.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

You want tips for your existing setup or you want tips with inclusion of buying a new setup?

Anvancy

[Aryan]

@Anvancy: My 18-55mm lens, at present, is more than capable of capturing landscapes. What I am looking at is "TIPS" and knowledge on how to actually go about it, et al. I hope I am able to make myself clear. :)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

@Anvancy: My 18-55mm lens, at present, is more than capable of capturing landscapes. What I am looking at is "TIPS" and knowledge on how to actually go about it, et al. I hope I am able to make myself clear. :)

i wanted to confirm this only..whether you needed a new setup or better shots thru existing setup.

well..

cityscape ill portray buildings.small,big,new old.the basis will be to find optimum angles for shots.light hitting a particular building at a particular time will play a different role.since light falling on building at 12pm and 4pm will highlight different parts of the building in terms of light.

at times putting a human in the shot adds to the scale aspect.if the building is tall placing of people to show the scale can also be done.

could think of this as of now.

Anvancy

[Aryan]

@Anvancy: Thanks. Good pointers; the only thing that worries me with North India, specifically is the presence of haze almost ALL day!

[Bibudesh]

... specifically is the presence of haze almost ALL day!

Make use of them.

[Deltaone]

Hmm, now landscapes are the simple bit. Cityscapes become a lot better with an ultrawide. Now, the 18 mm end of the 18-55 is wide enough for most things. The fact that you are in india itself gives you a whole lot of playroom. (Singapore aint exactly big :P). That said, there is no hard and fast rule. Show ten people the same scene and they come back with ten different impressions.

Now as said above, haze can add a lot to a picture. Depends on what you want to shoot. You want to eliminate the haze? Simple enough, get closer and fill up the frame with the building or parts of it. Some things to avoid, cliched shots of buildings, standard postcard pics. Now, standard postcard pics can give you a pointer from where to start from. Look for something that catches your eye, maybe a different angle, a different light, a different perspective. There are really no hard and fast rules in play here.

Start with something, start shooting, the more you shot, the better the ideas come to your head as to what you can do with them. Ultimately there is a limit to what any book or person for that matter can tell you. Go out there and start shooting, once you do that, i'm pretty sure the people here can help you out a lot more in terms of technique and what modifications may be done.

[Aryan]

@Delta: This is what I was expecting! Thanks for the post. And yes, rest assured, I AM going out and shooting more than ever, these days! But, since the past few days the fog/ smog has been a BIG letdown. Anyhow, thanks a lot for the pointers. I really appreciate it. :)

@Bibudesh: The haze/ smog is way TOO much to get ANY decent or usable shot! Trust me! But, then again, I believe there are talented people out there who can find a way to use the fog /smog/ haze to their advantage. ;)