Cityscape Photography – Urban Views of China
Cityscapes give a different perspective on urban life, where buildings, streets, and skylines tell their own stories. On this page, I showcase the architecture, light, and mood of Chinese cities, from quiet alleys to bustling downtowns. Each image captures the interplay of space, form, and atmosphere that defines the character of a city. Whether it’s the glow of sunset on a skyline or the geometry of a modern structure, these cityscapes reflect the rhythm and personality of urban China.
For this shot, I nearly killed myself, setting up my tripod on the inside lane of this busy street while taxis and trucks whizzed by at great speed, often swerving to avoid us. The road has since been changed and there's no a wide pavement to stand on while safely taking photos. I used a 10 second exposure and a small aperture (f/20) to get the streaks of car headlights. Shanghai Bund, September 2006.
The Bund By Night
HK Star Ferry Terminal
Hong Kong Star Ferry terminal, Kowloon, early evening, just after the sun has set but before the sky gets completely dark, allowing for that lovely blue / purple tint. Zenza Bronica ETRS and Fuji slide film. Hong Kong, 1998.
Taken in the late afternoon when the lighting is beautiful on a hot August afternoon in 2010. Work on Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, had already begun, but the building isn't yet visible.
Yu Gardens
It takes patience to wait for that perfect time just after sunset to get that dark blue sky. Exposure set or 2.5 seconds at f/8.0. Shanghai, August 2008.
UK Pavilion
This is the British Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. I think it's a stunning design that almost looks like it's a CGI image, but I assure you, this photo hasn't been manipulated in any way. The lines to enter where 2-3 hours long, but UK passport holders were able to bypass the queue.
Pudong Skyline
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