All-Time Greatest Cities For Photography
Hey Tourist! Photographers and travelers interested in capturing their trips with a camera are often looking for destinations that are great for an aesthetically pleasing image. Well, for those eager to find new and wonderful places to explore, they need look no further. This article brings together the leading cities from across the globe that are perfect for capturing a great portfolio, as well as appreciating the impressive architecture, cultures, and natural phenomena to capture. Following are incredible cities with stunning views and wonderful sites to see, enjoy!
New York City is one of the most fascinating and busy cities in the world. The "Big Apple" is surrounded by shops, museums, stores, and entertainment. Take a ride up to the eighty-sixth floor of the Empire State Building. Standing on the main observation deck, you'll have a breathtaking 360-degree view of New York, Central Park, the Hudson River and East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, Time Square, and the Statue of Liberty. The viewing deck is tapered off by metal spires so you'll have to put your camera in between the open holes and use a wide angle lens.
Central Park is best known for the frequent strolls John Lennon, and Yoko Ono often took together. Central Park has survived the city for over 150 years and is an iconic part of New York City. The park's restored mountains, landscapes, structures, and surrounding water make for vibrant environmental shots. Whether you are at the south end, mid-park, or north end, the park offers beautiful sceneries and architecture. Its mall houses a quadruple row of majestic, vibrant green elm trees. From a distance, the branches from the trees resemble cathedral arches. They hover over the pedestrian walkway.
It's time to hop on down to South America for the next fantastic city to photograph.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is is made up of warm beaches, spectacular mountains, and its vibrant Tijuca Forest. As you fly into Rio de Janeiro, you can't miss the magnificent statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) sitting atop Corcovado Mountain. To get to the mountaintop from the ground, you'll start your climb from Cosme Velho, the mountain's base. A train will take you up the hill where you'll have a bird's eye view of your ascent. When you reach the top of the mountain, you'll be able to photograph the statue of Jesus and the scenic view of the city.
Brazil's Botanical Garden is a scientific arboretum. The landscape is made up of a plethora of shaped leaves, plants, and colorful flowers. Floras, pergolas, arbors, and vines decorate the arboretum walls. The park's garden has over 1,500 plant species on display. Some animals even tend to leave the Tijuca National Park and walk over to the Botanical Garden, meaning you might have the opportunity to photograph wildlife as well.
The next stop on the list of amazing cities to photograph is in China. Continue reading to learn more!
Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the most visited cities in China, with both modern and ancient Chinese architecture surrounding the town. One of these old buildings sits in the Yuyuan Garden. Enclosed by flowers, plants, and water, the building looks like a portrait frozen in time. Its Wanhua Chamber is made up of pavilions, corridors, steams, and courtyards, so are sure to photograph the cloisters encompassing the chamber. As you head to Jade Rock, a boulder measuring 3.3 meters tall has seventy-two holes, set your camera to slow motion as you burn a joss stick below the rock. You'll capture amazing shots of smoke floating out from all the holes.
For a more futuristic look, visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, a building made up of three spheres resembling pearls. Its observation deck offers a 360-degree bird's eye view of Shanghai and Pudong Park. This radio tower is one of the highest transmission towers in the world, and the eleven spheres linked by three columns make a beautiful photo subject for architectural shots. Plus, the tower's futuristic ambiance makes for colorful sci-fi photographs.
It's time to head over to the United Kingdom for an fantastic photography session.
London
England and France are two engaging countries in Europe offering intriguing sights to photograph. England's enormous Ferris wheel and enchanting stairwells provide opportunities to shoot architecture and shapes. The London Eye stands at 394 feet above ground and gives you a bird's eye view of the city's skyline. During the day, this giant Ferris wheel overlooks the South Bank and River Thames, and at night, the wheel lights up with neon fluorescent colors that can be seen from afar. The bright colors against the night sky create amazing scenic shots.
If you love stairwells, the Somerset House has a fantastic five-story staircase, fourteen landings, and 104 steps swirling in both directions. As you stroll the Miles Stair, which sits in the center of the neoclassical background of the west wing of the Somerset House, you'll be able to capture the steel-mesh newel and transparent balustrade. The welded rods, circular bosses, and spiraling threads from the skeleton give the Miles Stair personality.
Ready to take a short ride over to a phenomenal European city?
Paris
Trocadero Gardens is home to the Eiffel Tower, Paris' most visited attraction. As you explore the garden, you can see a wide, panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower overlooking the capital from the ground up. In the center of the garden lies the world renown Warsaw fountain, which has twenty water cannons that provide a water and lighting show. Moreover, golden statues of horses and a bull's head add to the decor.
The Bridge of Arts, which connects to the Louvre museum and the Institut de France, is famous for the thousands of padlocks previously attached to the rails. For years, it was a tradition to throw the key into the Seine River as a declaration of love. Although the locks were removed in 2015, the pedestrian bridge remains a significant attraction for lovers around the world. The bridge links the central square and provides a spectacular view. The Bridge of Arts and Trocadero Gardens are lovely scenic masterpieces. You can take photographs during the day and night and come up with two diverse perspectives.