Urban Images

Urban images can include pretty much anything found in man-made environments. Architecture is one aspect of urban photography and can be a category in its own right. But the category covers far more than buildings. Quiet laneways, hectic highways or bustling  city streets, rubbish dumps, cemeteries, ports and harbours, parks and gardens, sporting facilities. The list is almost endless. But we often overlook these scenes because we come across them every day.

Many urban images may not have the jaw-dropping grandeur of a spectacular landscape, but they can nevertheless have a character and charm that is only associated with man’s activities.

Country towns and villages look and feel very different to bustling cities, but they still have an urban element. Quiet country lanes and classic old homes have the charm of a bygone era. Sometimes historic street lamps or greenery might have been used to divide the wide streets and avenues. Look around at some of the beautiful old railway stations found in country towns.  Rural towns will often have silos and other buildings associated with farming. Look at some of the sporting facilities in country towns – maybe a beautiful old grandstand or picket fence around a cricket pitch.

Big cities offer some very different scenes.  Instead of that charming cricket ground in the country, we’re now looking at massive hi-tech stadiums that hold tens of thousands. Most cities have their share of beautiful historic buildings, but they also have huge housing complexes, office blocks and skyscrapers. Major airports, transport interchanges, and industrial complexes also help define the city. These are things you won’t normally find in a country town.

Vehicles and people jam the city streets. Graffiti and street art might line walls in backstreets. Nighttime brings on the lights, while warm weather brings crowds of people onto the beaches, parks and gardens.

So browse through these images and you might be surprised at what you find!