Monroe Street Ramp wiew of Penobscot Building

The image was taken along a ramp on Monroe Street in downtown Detroit. I stood facing southwest to get this view of the city and Penobscot Building. The ramp actually leads to an underground parking facility, so you can park your car in the lot below and then walk up the ramp to take this photo. To find the exact spot where I stood, just reference the GPS coordinates.

All months are suitable to photograph Monroe Street as the seasons do not affect this location. However, winter will of course be less enjoyable and if there is a lot of snow, the scene could change.

You can get a similar shot anytime of the day, but I recommend photographing here in the morning or late-afternoon. During these times, you'll get the best lighting conditions as the light will be more diffused than it is during midday.

Since you'll be photographing in the middle of this street ramp, be mindful of cars and other pedestrians.

To capture the ramp, model and city skyline, I recommend using a wide-angle lens (29mm).

Get creative with the positioning of your subject. You can switch up the focal lengths or have your model stand closer or farther away — don't be afraid to experiment!

The Monroe Street ramp is just north of Campus Martius Park. Within the park, there are many opportunities to continue taking photos. I also suggest walking around, grabbing a bite to eat or getting some coffee.