These city photo series show photographers playing tourist in cities, capturing the grit and beauty that comes with urban architecture and the lives that inhabit the city's structures.
While most major cities are crammed with people, there are times where it's possible to capture a lull in the action, as some of these creepy or apocalyptic captures prove. When people have cleared off the streets at night is also one of the most magical times to snap city photographs, since many buildings become lit up with vibrant neon colors. However, there are just as many daytime city photos that are equally as interesting, since there's always something in a city that will make it stand out, whether it's from the lively community or its iconic landmarks.
60 City Photo Series
From Abstract Urban Photography to Stunning Structural Captures:
Laura McQuarrie — Aug 12, 2014 — Art & Design
59
Personified Landmark Photography
Body Painted Models Blend into NYC's Urban Backdrop
58
Gritty City Photography
Alain Levitt Captures Street Life in NYC
57
Storm Destruction Photography
These Beginner Hurricane Sandy Photos Are Devastating
56
Gritty Urban Photography
Greg Bojorquez Captures Los Angeles Street Life
55
Cramped City Photography
This Megacity Photo Series is Fascinating and Dizzying
54
Raw City Photography
In L.A. Crash Mirko Martin Shows All Sides of the West Hollywood City
53
Blackout Storm Photography
Iwan Baan Captures New York After the Storm in This Stiking Series
52
Dreaded Disaster Photography
This Disaster Photo Series Turns Our Nightmares into Reality
51
Deserted Desert City Photography
Abandoned by Richard Allenby-Pratt Imagines a Future Saudi Arabia
50
Post-Apocalyptic Photography
Chris Luckhardt Captures Eerie Photos of Urban Exploration
49
Reflective Urban Photography
The Akos Major 'Cityscapes' Series is Well-Traveled
48
Corrupt City Photography
Joao Pina Documents All Sides of Rio de Janeiro
47
Soaring Cityscape Photography
Alisdair Miller Takes Urban Photo Shoots to Whole New Heights
46
Monochromatic Landmark Photography
Photographer Gabriele Croppi Refocuses Classic Architecture
45
Stunning Aerial Crane Photographs
Wei Gensheng Captures the City of Shanghai Like Never Before
44
Concrete Framed Residences
Apollo Architects Designed a Cost-Efficient Concrete Home
43
Dark Dystopic City Photography
Van Smit Captures the Somber Side of a Glamorous Hong Kong
42
Aerial View Cityscape Dioramas
These Wooden Dioramas Depicts Aerial Views of Tall City Buildings
41
Artistically Altered Urban Settings
The SpY Interventions Rearranges How We View Things
40
Creepy Then-and-Now Collages
Detroit Urbex Blends Vintage Captures with Present Day Shots
39
Shrunken City Photography
Photographer Ben Thomas Skillfully Uses a Tilt-Shift Technique
38
Aerial Urban Photography
Photographer Tom Blachford Bird's Eye View Images are Stunning
37
Juxtaposing Era Photography
This Then-and-Now Series Does the Opposite and Turns Decades Around
36
African Atrocity Photography
This Conflict Photo Series is Raw and Sheds Light on a Serious Issue
35
Transient Urbane Photography
The Berlin Photo Series by Stephanie Jung is Experimental
34
Floating Architecture Photography
'The Silent Enigma' by Francisco Reina is Surreal
33
Vibrant Abandoned Bicycle Photography
These Photos Show the Eerie Nature of Abandoned Bicycles
32
Submerged City Photography
Nickolay Lamm’s Disaster Photography Depicts a Scary Reality
31
Slanted Urban Photography
The 'Tilt' Series Portrays a Skewed Vision of New York City
30
Vignetted Industrial Artwork
The Julian Calverley 'Structure' Series is Breathtakingly Gritty
29
Time-Lapse Urban Photography
Thomas Birke Hong Kong Photoshoot Captures the City's Vibrancy
28
Abandoned City Photography
The Instance of Latency Photoseries by Sebastien Tixier
27
Stunning Structural Captures
Gary Annett Photographs Regular Cities with Grand Elegance
26
Electric Sleepless City Photography
The 'Lights on Toronto' Series is a Beautiful Depiction
25
Midnight Apocalypse Photography
Christophe Jacrot's 'New York in Black' Piece Displays a Bare City
24
Unnaturally Starry Cityscapes
Thierry Cohen Darkened Cities Collection Eliminates Light Pollution
23
Abstract Urban Photography
Photographer Vittorio Ciccarelli Captures Vibrant Blue Sky Scenes
22
Romantisized City Photography
'Milan is a Paradise' Showcases a Different Side to the City
21
Stark Symmetrical Shoots
Kai Ziehl Captures the Beauty of Architecture in Urban Landscapes
20
Urban Instagram Photo Journeys
Ailine Liefeld Documents New York City in this Series
19
Silhouette City Photography
The Jasper James 'People and Places' Photo Shoot is Visually Dynamic
18
City Constellation Photography
'Cities at Night' Makes Cool Photography Useful
17
Contrasting Architecture Photography
Whitewash by Nicholas Alan Cope Highlights Stark Silhouettes
16
Vintage Commuter Photography
Richard Sadler Took Vintage Shots of Commuting New Yorkers
15
Eerie Apocalyptic Photography
Michal Karcz's Series Depicts Dark and Abandoned Parallel Universes
14
Cinematic City Photography
Francke Bohbot Captures New York in Its Finest Minute
13
Tantalizing Rooftop Terrace Shots
The 'Up On the Roof' Collection Brings New York to New Heights
12
Inception-Inspired Cityscapes
Sloan Creates Stunningly Surreal Monochromatic Photographs
11
Symmetrical Skyscraper Photography
This New York City Photo Series is Psychedelically Dizzying
10
Luxe Metropolis Clips
The Dubai - City on the Move Video Tempts Travelers
9
Cramped Quarters Captures
Michael Wolf Photographs Living Spaces in Hong Kong to Adress the Issues
8
Mesmerizing City Photography
The Doug Keyes 'Collective Memory' Project is a Real Doozie
7
Stunning Panoramic Photos
Experience the 'London 80 Gigapixels' High-Resolution Virtual Tour
6
Time-Lapsed European Capitals
Paris in Motion by Kirill Neiezhmakov Captures a Beautiful View
5
Terrible Traffic Time-Lapses
Rob Whitworth Ho Chi Minh City Video Reveals the Chaos of Asia
4
Post-Industrial Wasteland Photography
Barry Cawston's 'Echoes of an Industrial Past' is Isolating
3
Symmetrical Bustling Urban Portraits
'China in a Mirror' Sheds a new Light on the Chaotic City
2
Chromatic City Photography
Matthias Heiderich Captures a Colorful Berlin
1
Blurred Metropolis Photography
This Urban Photography Series by Renato Cerisola Evokes Movement
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Nature-Connecting Warm Apartments
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Photographer-Inspired Photo Apps
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Eye-Catching Ultra-Chic Fashion Capsules
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City-Themed Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry’s Back to the City Campaign Celebrates London
Night QSR Campaigns
The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
Urban Utility Capsules
C.P. Company x BEAMS Debut Collaboration Merges Function with Street Style
Photography-Inspired Vintage Capsules
The Reebok x Kodak Capsule Collection Reimagines 90s Culture
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Museum-Collaborative Instant Cameras
Polaroid Presents the Now Generation 3 MoMA Camera Edition
Renewed Urban Rooftops
The Heineken Seoul Rooftop Turns Unused Rooftops into Community Spaces
Nature-Centered City Campaigns
Visit Seattle Launches 'Mother Nature’s City'
Revived Modular Photo Booths
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Photographer-Grade Smartphone Lenses
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Vibrant Residential Complexes
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Minty Modern Cafes
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Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns
Polaroid Launched 'The Camera for an Analog Life'
Agriculturally Inspired Art Projects
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Multifunctional City Lighting Infrastructure
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Paris-Themed Solo Travel Guides
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Running Lifestyle Capsules
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Elevated Urban Skate Venues
AAN Architects Designs Suspended Skatepark Overlooking Shanghai
Futuristic AI Cameras
The AI Camera Concept Adds Innovation in Photography by Removing Lens
Urban Assembly Forums
The RAM Assembles Shanghai by All(zone) Explores Impromptu Urban Life
Design Journey Picture Books
FormaFantasma’s the Down Under Traces Australia’s Eco-Design Story
Immersive Slow TV Series
Belmond Has Introduced the Groundbreaking 'Long Shots' TV Series
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Luxury Designer Travel Guides
Louis Vuitton Introduced a New Format for its City Guide Resorts
Outdoor-Focused Residential Developments
Concrete Amsterdam Finishes the Fishtown Urby Project
Artistic Lakeside Retreats
Ely Retreat Blends Modern Cabin Living with a Serene Creative Studio
AI-Powered Portrait Studios
self.space Captures Professional Images Without a Photographer
Brutalist Korea Books
Brutalist Korea Photobook Shows Concrete Architecture Across Seoul and Jeju
AI Travel Photography
Epic AI Travel Photos Creates Stunning Photos of Popular Destinations
Urban Oasis-Reflecting Hotel Expansions
Ministry of Design Leads the Standard Singapore Designs
Architecturally Stunning Cultural Landmarks
OPEN Architecture Designs the Functional Sun Tower
Traffic Light-Inspired Benches
Muddycap's Traffic Light Bench Mimics a Street Signals
Visionary Architectural Pier Strategies
Ruxuan Zheng and Haoyuan Wang Debut 'City on the Loop'
Classic Architecture-Inspired Lighting
Zeynep Boyan Designs the Monumental Collection of Lamps
Light-Inviting Renovated Apartments
Estúdio BRA Reconfigures the Copan Apartment in Brazil
Retrospective Lighting Exhibitions
Form Portfolios Presents the ILLUMINARI Carlo Nason Exhibition
Lakefront District Towers
The Lake Views Slopes and Folds to Maximize Panorama for Every Home
Japan-Focused Design Exhibitions
UQAM is Hosting Built Environment: an Alternative Guide to Japan
NYC-Inspired Structural Chess Sets
PRINTWORKS Introduces the Playful CHESS NYC Set
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Miniaturized Product Art Photographs
Taysuya Tanaka Highlights MUJI Products with Small Muji
Sensory Museum Experiences
The Museum of Illusions Features Immersive Attractions
Community-Focused High-Rise Buildings
The Journal Square Urby Was Designed by Concrete Amsterdam
Parisian Social Housing Projects
PietriArchitectes Built 34 Units for Social Housing
Creative Office Campuses
Mother’s LA Headquarters Echoes the Surrounding Streetscape
Historic District Hotels
Blue Architecture Studio Converts a Yangzhou District into a Hotel
Green Tourism-Focused Video Series
Hong Kong Tourism Board Boasts Four Captivating Short Films
Photogenic Destination Campaigns
Icelandair is Searching for a Really Bad Photographer
Physics-Based Artful Light Capsules
Snøhetta Designs the Aura Collection for Viabuzzuno
Staggered Modern Apartments
OSPA Arquitetura E Urbanismo Reimagines Urban Residential Living
Co-Presented Time Exhibitions
Rhinoceros Gallery & Bigaignon Launch 'Act 2/3: Col Tempo'
Monochrome Fashion Campaigns
JiyongKim FW25 Campaign Explores Stark Light and Layered Silhouettes
Poignant Multimedia Art Installations
Spectroscope Studio's Night Bloom Explores Deaf Identity
Lighthouse-Resembling Urban Buildings
Safdir Architecture Designs the Old Port Square in Portland
Ancient Gymnasium-Inspired Residential Buildings
Triptyque and Architects Office Build AGE360
Mentorship-Focused Visual Arts Educations
Nikon Expands Partnership with NYC salt
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Enigmatic Graffiti Incidents
Toronto's Museum of New Calls Attention to Mystery Graffiti
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Eclipse-Themed Rooftop Artworks
James Tapscott's Arc ZERO: Eclipse is Visually Stunning
Detroit Tower Redevelopments
SHOP Architects’ Hudson’s Detroit Highlights Civicr Regeneration
Exploratory Architectural Projects
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is Thought-Provoking
Color Photography Exhibitions
The Profiles in Color Show Presents Works by Andres Valencia
Urban Soundscape Installations
Moment Installation Alters London Bridge Rush-Hour into Light
Migration-Focused Art Exhibitions
The Sun Valley Museum of Art Presents a New Exhibition
Bathroom-Centric Dubai Apartments
Bone Studio Blends Architecture and Experience in This Bold Home
Compact Urban Residences
The Stealth House by Specht Novak Redefines Private Living in Austin
Refined Urban Interiors
Primrose Apartment by Uncanny Studio Balances Sculptural Form and Comfort
Collectible Mini Cameras
The Photo Creator Mini Cam Lets Kids Snap Photos Without a Phone
Inaugural Japanese Photography Exhibitions
Japan House London Announces the Invisible Exhibition
Neon Illustation-Donned Buildings
OMA Adorns a Building for the Crafted World Exhibition
Urban Climate Solutions
Climate Tech Cities Connects Climate Professionals with Resources & Events
Refined Residential Architecture Projects
Min Design Tackles Constrained Urban Spaces
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Three-Part Photography Exhibits
rhinoceros gallery and Bigaignon Debut a Final Exhibit Segment
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Personal Nostalgic Photo Books
The Holy Ohio Photo Book Presents a Personal Return to Family Roots
Lighthouse-Inspired Urban Tall Structures
Safdie Architects Designs the Old Port Square Building
Reflective Sculpture Exhibitions
Anish Kapoor Presents Mirror Works Installation Across NYC
Dynamic Reimagined Miami Penthouses
Nar Design Studio Created the JZ Apartment in Miami
Community Voices Installation
Unheard Voices Pavilion Spotlights Labor of London’s Night Workers
Sculptural Gallery Art Exhibitions
Kennedy Yanko Presents Two New Galleries in NYC
Harmonious Aerial Photograph Series
Brad Walls is a Distinctive Voice in Contemporary Photography
Digital Expo Exhibitions
After Utopia by Marco Brambilla is Large Scale Video Installation
Homelessness-Focused Architecture Studies
Architecture Without Borders Quebec Identifies Issues
Video-Promoted Urban Transformation Initiatives
Renewing Shanghai is a Video Documentary Series
Performance-Driven Speedy Camera Lenses
Leica Camera AG Debuts the Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Architecture-Focused Design Exhibits
Blouin Orzes Architectes Participate in Time Space Existence
Architectural Photography Exhibitions
Encounters Denise Scott Brown Photographs Presents Archives
Captivating Viewpoint-Integrated Exhibitions
MVRDV Designs the Portlantis Exhibition Center
Photography Planning Tools
Photo Xpert Helps Plan Lighting, Timing, And Shooting Conditions
Paper Curvature Lights
Paper Curves Explores Dimensional Gradients Through Photography
Evening Sky-Inspired Lighting Fixtures
YAMAGIWA Corporation Debuts the TWILIGHT Capsule
Bright Urban Apartments
Ooiio Architecture’s House 64 Renovation Transforms a 1960 Flat
Large-Scale Drone Lightshows
Abu Dhabi will Host a Culturally Driven Show to Boost Tourism
Pearl-Inspired Museums
Dubai Museum of Art by Tadao Ando Evokes Water, Light and Heritage
Urban-Inspired Bag Campaigns
côte&ciel's Latest Editorial Campaign is Dubbed Rhythms of Transit
Surreal Photobook Releases
Podunk Photobook by Nadia Lee Cohen and Scarlett Carlos Clarke Launches
Virtual City Explorers
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Travel Photography Exhibitions
All Within the Detour Highlights Yoshitomo Nara’s Photo Journeys
Creative Photo Communities
Join the Ad-Free Creative Photo Network Built Into Hipstamatic
Pastel Tonal Apartment Blocks
Behles & Jochimsen Designs the Regensburg Quarter
Stone Building Auditoriums
The Centre De Congrès Fuses Sculpture with Immersive Color and Light
Organic Striking Tower Designs
David Macullo Architects Designs the Leaves Tower
Stunningly Intricate Light Installations
Bocci Presented 'Shapes of Light' in Vancouver, Canada
Digital Urban Replica Systems
RealityMaps Serves Governments, Urban Planners, and Developers
Visually Striking Athletics Centers
NAPUR Architect Designs the National Athletics Center
Elevated Geometric Designs
PH8 Penthouse Reinterprets the Mid-Century Modern in Medellín’s Skyline
Synthetic AI Photography
Generated Photos Delivers Unique, AI-Created Model Images For Any Project
Explosion-Damaged Sculpture Series
Light into Darkness Reconstructs Damaged Ukrainian Artefacts
Volcanic Visitor Architecture
PLAT ASIA's Volcano In Visitor Center Turn to Surrounding Landscape
Urban Data Landmarks
Spark 761 Ai Data Centre Presents a Transparent Civic Computing Facility
Balanced Retail Atmosphere
The Capitamall Skyview Reimagines the Mall as an Immersive Urban Street
Urban Material Design Collections
Clarke & Clarke Metropolitan Collection Explores Bold Textiles
Object Design-Explorative Apartments
Apartamento Secreto explores objects that go beyond function
Los Angeles Photo Books
24h Los Angeles – 10 Year Anniversary Edition Expands Original Release
Private Photo Journals
Memory Helps You Capture Daily Moments In A Secure And Simple Photo Diary
Tree-Lined Striking Modern Residences
Palette Architecture Designs the Shift House in New York
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Building-Nestled Compact Cafes
A Triangular Prism Chapel Cafe Creates Calm in Bucharest
Riverside Housing Complexes
The Sekyra Flowers Project by Daniel Libeskind Reshapes Urban Living
Event Photo Solutions
JoyCapture Brings Disposable Camera Fun to Digital Event Guests
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Visual Timelapse Apps
SelfieStory Creates Seamless Timelapse Memories From Daily Photos
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Collaborative City Caps
The Daily Paper x New Era Paname Cap Honors Parisian Culture
Architecturally Illuminated Structures
Puri Lighting Design Presents the Zhangbei Mirage Project
Sleek Reconstructed Polish Hotels
The Puro Warszawa Stare Miasto Opens in Poland's Warsaw
Suspended Lighting Installations
En Temps Et Lieu Studio Designs a Stunning Installation
Concrete Arts School Buildings
Visual Arts Building by Studio BLUR Forms Sculptural Volumes
Documentary Photography Exhibition
The Martin Parr Foundation Presents the Last Resort Exhibition