Whether it’s an iconic skyline or some cool local architecture, photographing a cityscape can be a great way to create interesting compositions without having to trek into the wilderness. Getting successful cityscape shots requires a bit of preparation, gear knowledge, and location scouting. In this beginner’s guide to photographing a cityscape, I’ll detail all the decisions you need to make in order to take better photos of cities.

For most of my time as a photographer, I’ve been on a strict budget, from my days as a student to my current attempts to save for a house and car. I’m sure I’ve spent more than necessary along the way – but I’ve also learned how to navigate the landscape of gear on today’s market and save whenever possible. This detailed guide covers all my tips to spend less money on camera equipment, which is as much of an art as a science.