Adding Drama to Cityscapes with Vertical Shafts of Light

Cityscapes are already filled with energy — glowing windows, colorful reflections, and architecture that dominates the skyline. But sometimes, as photographers, we want to push beyond what the camera captures and bring out the hidden drama in a scene. That’s where creative editing comes in. One of my favorite ways to amplify the mood of an image is by adding vertical shafts of light in Photoshop.

Why Vertical Shafts of Light?

Light is the language of photography, and vertical shafts add a sense of scale, energy, and atmosphere to an image. They mimic the glow of a city rising into the night sky, exaggerating what our eyes already feel when standing in front of a bustling urban skyline. Instead of simply documenting the city, the photograph transforms into a visual story — one that conveys awe and emotion.

Why Singapore?

For this demonstration, I chose the spectacular skyline of Singapore. Few cities in the world combine futuristic skyscrapers with such vivid, colorful lights. At night, the city is bathed in vibrant hues — from the glowing towers to the dynamic districts of Little India and Chinatown.

What makes Singapore especially striking is the waterfront foreground. The reflections on the bay create a natural canvas, doubling the impact of the city lights. When vertical shafts of light are added in post-processing, the colors stretch not only into the sky but also ripple across the water, creating a surreal, cinematic effect.

Elevating the Ordinary

What begins as a beautiful skyline photograph becomes something extraordinary. The vertical shafts of light emphasize the city’s energy and make the viewer feel the pulse of the urban landscape. It’s a reminder that photography isn’t only about recording what’s there — it’s also about interpreting the scene and conveying the drama we felt in the moment.

Something to Think About

Photography gives us the tools to tell stories, and sometimes that story calls for creativity beyond what the lens captures. Adding vertical shafts of light to a cityscape can turn a still image into something alive — a vision of the city’s spirit.

Singapore’s skyline, with its dazzling colors and reflective waters, proved to be the perfect canvas to demonstrate just how much drama this technique can add.

So the next time you’re looking at a skyline through your viewfinder, ask yourself: what could this photo become if I let the light rise even higher?