Nairobi with Photographer Trevor Maingi

Photographer: Trevor Maingi @the_mentalyst

With a background in Software Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, I decided to chase my wildest dreams of becoming a photographer. I've never really enjoyed labels and prefer to let a photograph speak for itself. I do however like to think of myself as a travel and lifestyle photographer/filmmaker. When it comes to urbanscape photography, I enjoy playing with lines, patterns and shapes. For those looking to venture into this field, here are some tips to always keep in mind:

GEAR: Think about accessories such as a tripod and filters which can really play a big role in getting the best shots. Always carry extra batteries as well.

COMPOSITION: Draw the viewer's eye by using leading lines, contrast, patterns and texture to bring cities to life.

LENSES: Experiment with various lenses. I always find myself shooting using a wide and a zoom lens. The former is amazing, but details in a shot tell a different story.

MOTION: This is where the ND filter comes through. Use one during the day to be able to shoot long exposure photos. At night, you will have less light for long exposures.

PEOPLE: Incorporate human elements into your composition. People can not only bring life to cities but also help convey scale.

RESEARCH: Find out key locations or vantage points to shoot from. Also find out if you need permission or a license.

TIME OF DAY: Light is key. Pay attention to how it brings life to a city. I enjoy shooting in the early morning light, and the streets are also usually less busy. Also use shadows and sunsets to your advantage.

VANTAGE POINT: If there are tall buildings next to you, shoot from street level looking up. Try different angles. Manual focus: With urbanscape, you won't be dealing with fast moving objects so switch to manual focus for consistently sharp images.

EXPERIMENT: Go to the same area a couple times and try various techniques. SAFETY: Every city has its fair share of the good and bad. Ask around for places to avoid and always be aware of what's happening around you.