Getting the shot in Shanghai

Focus. Concentration. Iconic. Impact. Travel images work best when they communicate simply and directly with the viewer. Making a simple picture, however, is often more difficult and time-consuming than taking a complicated photo. The difference lies in the process of engaging with the subject — a culture, city or location — over a long period of time until you find out what to shoot and what to leave out.

Shanghai is a fascinating mix of super-modern, cutting- edge architecture and a...