Which cities do you like to photograph most?

Photo: Medina, Marrakech by Paul Sullivan

As a photographer there’s nothing quite like stalking around a city, camera in hand, attempting to capture something of its nuances, atmosphere and people as the newness assaults you from all sides.

Obviously, this is easier said than done. Those who photograph cities best tend to have lived there a long time, such as Garry Winogrand, whose iconic images speak volumes about New York, or Hungarian photographer Brassai, whose black and white images of Paris are uniquely evocative.

Read full article on MatadorU

MatadorU Travel Photography Program

MatadorU’s Travel Photography Program gives you direct feedback on your work, and lifetime access to the most supportive, dynamic, and fun community of Travel Writers, Travel Photographers, and New Media Professionals on the web.

Photo + Video + Film
 

About The Author

Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan has been a freelance writer and photographer since 2000. Operating primarily in the realm of music, travel, lifestyle, and culture, his work has taken him around the world. His work has appeared in/on the BBC, Dazed and Confused, DrownedInSound, Electronic Beats, The Face, The Guardian, DJ, Intelligent Life, iDJ, fRoots, The Independent, Observer Music Monthly, National Geographic Music, Time Out, Wax Poetics, The Wire, and others. He currently lives in Berlin.

  • Luke Ford

    In my opinion, Sana’a, the captivating capital city of Yemen, is the most photogenic city in the world! It’s truly one of the most beautiful places, and I hope more people will visit!

  • http://www.cejohnson.us jkiel

    Well, Vegas doesn’t do anything for me, probably because it’s too close… I never get tired of shooting in Rome, Venice or Florence, but in response to your question, I’d have to go along with Imogene Cunningham’s quote: “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” (just replace ‘photographs’ with ‘city’…)

  • http://www.thejetpacker.com The Jetpacker

    Budapest, Hungary. Everything looks so elegant… even the graffiti.

  • Anna

    Good question – really got me thinking….

    Tokyo is one of my favourites for sure ( potentially most Japanese cities really). It offers every element possible, street scenes, temples, eclectic people, nature, modern vs traditional, interesting food…etc etc.

    I also took more shots in Barcelona than most places in Europe. Mostly the back streets and again interesting people – plus you have all of Gaudi’s work.

    Marrakech and Cairo are also favourites, I get something different everytime i’m in London too though.

  • http://www.carolinanomad.com Spencer Spellman

    Vegas is initially good for me that first time, but quickly loses it’s luster. I personally like Prague.

  • http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

    Valpo’s easy on the lens. Cuzco’s pretty sweet too. And yeah, Tokyo.

  • zagmage

    having only travelled europe, i’m not passing judgement on any other part of the world. having said that, i believe that istanbul has the best scenery

  • http://amandankorea.blogspot.com Amanda

    I would definitely have to say Prague, Czech Republic or the Greek Isles (specifically, Santorini).

    But I totally agree with you on Marrakech — I would never get bored there.

  • Rosie

    For me it would have to be London or Madrid. I think they are two cities that are so diverse that whatever I want to photograph I can find in them – Ok I won´t find a snow capped mountain but I guess nowhere is perfect.

  • http://www.amytheexplorer.com Amy E.

    I would say my favorite area (it’s not actually a city) was Yangshuo, China. The rounded mountains and vibrant people make it difficult to put away your camera. Istanbul and Marrakech were definite contenders though.

  • António C.

    Lisbon is definitely a city with a lot of potential. The amazing light you get with the massive Tagus estuary combined with white pavement across the city is very special. Add architecture and the atmosphere and it really creates a great photografic exploration.

  • Scott

    for graphic contrast, blues and whites, curves and lines – any small Greek island town . . . for architectural and temporal contrast, Paris . . . for people, for spirit and something I can’t quite put my finger on (though I’ve lived there for over a year). Varanasi, India . . . and yes, Yangshuo, on the river Li, the limestone fangs, the other-worldly flora along the river . . . the market in Peshawar, Pakistan, Afghani men, delicately drinking tea from small porcelain cups, the butts of m-16′s protruding from beneath their shawls . . .

  • http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/lady_vagabond/1/tpod.html Jen

    San Francisco…I live here, and am constantly wishing I had a camera for a quick shot of a person, or some weather change on the horozon. Its beautiful!All though I agree Valpo surely gives it a run for its $$

  • http://evaholland.com Eva

    I had a ball shooting in Stockholm – all the islands and bridges made getting a good view pretty much effortless.

  • http://piedeaterre.blogspot.com/ Anna Bressan

    Definitelly and no comments needed to add: RIO DE JANEIRO/BRAZIL

    http://ayrton.com/360/fs/pages/paoacucar4fla.html

  • Pedro Novaes

    Rio de Janeiro, no doubt, for the stunning contrast between mountain and sea, vertical rock and flat blue ocean.

  • http://www.hereishavana.wordpress.com Connergo

    Interesting topic! And nice to see at least ONE latin american city getting the photo vote (and the people are as fun to photograph in rio as anything else)…

    Surprised – given the number of coffee table books on the market – that no one mentioned my city: HAVANA.

    there’s a photo a minute here!

  • Wanderlust

    I have to agree with several of these – Rio, San Fran, and Prague but would also throw Dubrovnik into the mix. What excites me most is that multiple people listed Yangshou and Valparaiso and I will be visiting both within the year!

    • Prasun

      Yes, Praha is indeed very beautiful. Full of picture postcard places, nice souvenir shops and stuff.

  • http://olivaresbound.blogspot.com Cat

    Rare is the moment I don’t have my camera on me in my adopted city of Seville, Spain. Everything from the food to the gypsies to the ceramic tiles in bars never fails to inspire me.

    Marrakech also tops my list, as well as Croatia as a whole. Colors. Just lots of colors.

  • Prasun

    It’s got to be Delhi. This city was built 7 times over the last 1000 years with each ruler/dynasty leaving behind their unique imprint on the city. The current city(New Delhi) is the 8th one. It’s got over 1000 protected monuments, nice friendly people, wonderful markets, great street food and a world class metro rail system

  • HyderabadChick

    Goa – a small state, rather than a city but it has many picturesque sites.

    Rajasthan, another state – with the desert sands and colorfully dressed people. I’ve never even been – but have been drawn to so many paintings, photographs both amateur and professional. I can’t wait to visit.

    Capri and Anacapri – all that blue, blue water..

  • http://piedeaterre.blogspot.com/ Anna Bressan

    Budapest is magic and yellow!

Photo + Video + Film →

Get vertigo watching awesome mountain landscapes from the seat of an RC airplane.

Photo + Video + Film →

Ryan Killackey's short video project reminds me why I love living in California.

Photo + Video + Film →

A 44-day trip gets deconstructed into 3 thematic one-minute videos.

Photo + Video + Film →

Photographer Zack Arias journeys to confront the struggle of being an artist.

Photo + Video + Film →

Some people are calling this the greatest catch of all time.

Photo + Video + Film →

For the sake of art, a ragtag of photographers descend on Penang

Photo + Video + Film →

Is the holder of a ba-jillion patents, Thomas Edison, the first travel filmmaker as well?

Photo + Video + Film →

This footage makes we think how alien the medium of water is to us land animals.

Architecture →

Philip Bloom films Dubai's desert and ocean-front cityscapes for this timelapse.

Photo Essay →

Julie Schwietert photographs faithful devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Basilica...