Photograph It Before It’s Gone: Why Timing Matters in Urban and Landscape Photography

In a recent episode of Brooks Jensen’s podcast, he reflected on the challenge of photographing remote locations. Often, he could only spend a few hours at a site — places so far-flung he’d likely never return. That raised a powerful question: how do you make the most of limited time in a location that may soon be out of reach?

It’s a question I’ve wrestled with myself — not just in unfamiliar places, but in the ones I see every day.

Even if you pass by a scene regularly, if you spot a photographic opportunity, capture it sooner rather than later. Landscapes — especially urban ones — don’t wait.

Landscapes Lost to Time

When I focused on natural landscapes, I learned quickly that access wasn’t guaranteed. A trail could be washed out by weather, a viewpoint overgrown or closed. Now that my work centers on urban landscapes, that sense of urgency is even more pronounced.

I used to live in Harrison, NJ, a town in quiet transition. In my series This Was Home, many of the scenes I photographed have since vanished. I left Harrison nearly a decade ago, and the town has changed dramatically. What I miss most is the old PATH train station. I commuted from that station almost daily for 15 years. It was such a fixture that I never imagined it would be replaced.

The new station is sleek, modern, and even has an elevator — but I miss the character of the old one. Thankfully, I documented it before it was demolished. I only wish my skills then matched what I know now.

Neon Dreams Fading

A more dramatic example: the neon shop signs of Hong Kong. In an effort to prevent accidents from aging signs, the government introduced reinforcement regulations. The intention was good, but the cost was high. Many shop owners chose to remove their signs altogether.

Over just a few years, countless neon signs disappeared. I photographed many of them years ago, but I wish I had done more. Now, I can’t.

Don’t Wait for “Someday”

If you come across a scene that stirs something in you — a moment, a mood, a memory — don’t wait. Photograph it. The next time you pass by, it might be gone.