Photography and text by Vitek Skonieczny / Magnesium

Sydney is a city unlike any other in Australia. It is a modern metropolis with a population of more than 4 million inhabitants, most of whom live in the city’s surrounding suburbs. The city itself is like a smaller version of Manhattan – tall skyscrapers with long streets and avenues. On a clear, sunny day, Sydney is a city of light and shadows. Swathes of sunlight illuminate parts of the urban labyrinth, and the people who make their way through it. The shadows constantly shift – what was covered in light a moment ago is now swallowed up by the darkness.

The best time of day is early morning up until ten, and anytime after three in the afternoon until the sun sets. Between these times the sun is directly above the city. The harshness of the Australian sun in the middle of the day has to be seen to be appreciated – it is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Another feature of Sydney’s streets is the abundance of sunlight reflected off glass-covered buildings. This soft, reflector-like light creates surreal landscapes, but again, these moments last no more than 15 minutes as the sun arcs it’s way across the sky. The seasons also play a large part in how the reflected light unveils itself onto the streets below, with different parts of the city lit up at the same time of day depending of what time of year it is. I chase this light every day the sun comes out, and I always get surprised by an undiscovered corner lit by it’s softness. It is one of the reasons I love this city.