[Proleps]

Is it possible to own the copyright of a photograph of a city? You own none of the buildings in the photo.

[cdeonier]

People are copyrighting the composition of the photograph, not necessarily the subject of it.

[bigiain]

The original photographer has no ability to stop you going to the same spot and taking your own photograph.*

But just 'cause you could-but-haven't done that, doesn;t mean you can use his without his permission.

(* although they might be able to make some claim you've copied his composition if their photograph has some remarkable enough artistic input beyond "just a picture of a city")