Photographers Capture the Beauty of LA in Series of Ethereal Pictures

Nov 17, 2024

Matt Growcoot

A split image features the iconic Hollywood Sign on a mountain with snowy peaks in the background on the left. On the right, a brightly lit Ferris wheel sits on a pier at the shoreline during sunset. — Photo credit: Kris Kuganathan, left, David Gonzalez, right.

Over a period of a few months, photographer Bryce Way traipsed around Los Angeles capturing the city’s diverse beauty.

The Californian city is famous for its beaches, downtown area, and, Hollywood Hills. Way tells PetaPixel that he set out to showcase all of this.

“L.A. is unique because it offers such a wide range of environments, from the city’s architecture to its natural landscapes, the city feels alive and constantly shifting,” Way says.

“Whether it’s the sun setting over the ocean or the city streets at night, there’s always something new to capture.”

A view from behind the famous Hollywood sign, overlooking rolling hills and the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles under a clear blue sky. — Bryce Way

Way captured L.A.’s famous landmarks and hidden gems to document a full view of the city and reveal its character.

“My approach was to highlight the contrasts in the city, from downtown L.A. to the Hollywood Hills then the Coast. I looked for scenes that told a story and conveyed the energy of the place,” explains Way.

A bustling city street with the Pantages Theatre prominently featuring the marquee for "Chicago." The surrounding buildings display large colorful banners for various shows. Cars and pedestrians are visible on the street. — Jack Landau

Aerial view of Griffith Observatory perched on a hill, with sprawling Los Angeles cityscape in the background under a soft, glowing sunrise sky. The observatory's iconic domes stand out against the urban landscape. — Alex Ramirez

Aerial view of a long pier extending into the ocean, with a red-roofed building at its end. The shoreline is lined with sand and buildings, and a lone person is paddling in the water near the pier. — Alex Ramirez

Way’s photos, along with his fellow photographers, have been collated into a new book titled Trope Los Angeles, part of Trope’s City Edition series.

“Shooting over a longer period gave me the chance to capture L.A. in various conditions and times of day, showing how the city changes with the light and weather,” says Way. “This approach helped me convey the city’s atmosphere and character.”

A winding coastal road at night shows red and white light trails from vehicles. The road is bordered by dark cliffs on one side and the ocean on the other, creating a dramatic and scenic view. — Andy Shigekawa

A person riding a bicycle with a surfboard attached to it passes by colorful buildings on a sunny street. — Selene Sari

A bustling street scene at sunset with palm trees lining the road. Cars are visible in the foreground. Neon signs for a restaurant, deli, and bakery glow against the pink and purple sky, adding a vibrant atmosphere. — Josh Luten

Aerial view of an amusement park on a seaside pier at sunset. A large Ferris wheel and roller coaster are prominently featured. The beach stretches into the distance, with a cityscape visible in the background. — Drones give a unique perspective, letting photographers see familiar places from entirely new angles.| David Gonzalez

Way employed drones to shoot the project with but says generally his “gear setup is pretty minimal” but adds that his drone “never leaves my bag since aerial shots are a bit part of how I capture a city.”

Advice for Fellow Photographers

Way says that a top tip for photographers wanting to shoot their own cityscapes is to use Google Earth as a location-scouting tool.

“You’d be surprised at how many spots you can find that way. It makes a huge difference to plan out parking and frame your shot beforehand, so you can get there ready to shoot,” says Way.

“Beyond that, always keep shooting and experimenting. Try different times of day, angles, and weather conditions to see how they affect your images. Consistency and exploration are key to developing your own style and truly connecting with the scene.”