Architectural Photography
Above Image: Digital SLR, Tamron 70-210mm f-2.8 lens, Bogen tripod and pan/tilt head. multisegment metering, 1/500 sec at f-5.6. Aperture priority and manual focus.
Architectural photography offers a wide range of subject matter from old to new that can be photographed singly or in groups to show a building's character. You must pay attention to detail and light and choose your viewpoint carefully. Walk around a building and decide the best viewpoint. You can show small details by focusing closer or move back and show a distant view of a building. Pay close attention to the direction of light as it has great effect on your photograph. To show texture for example, Sidelighting is the best. Front lighting is good in bringing out colors.
Left Image: Digital SLR, Tamron 70-210mm f-2.8, 1/60 sec at
f-5.6.
By
changing your viewpoint and lenses you can show different details. A wide
angle lens can be used to photograph the interiors or to show exterior of
buildings that look best from a distance. A telephoto allows you to
photograph shapes and details. You can also choose a distant view to show a
group of buildings such as skyscrapers for best effect as some are not nice
when photographed individually. Keeping vertical lines straight is a common
problem in architectural photography from ground level with normal lenses.
You can use shift & tilt lenses to correct this. Using shift lenses the
cameras back is kept parallel to the building while the lens is shifted up.
This keeps all verticals straight. When photographing the interiors,
lighting contrast is your major problem. You must decide to expose for
highlights or shadows or you may want to choose flash for shadow areas. A
tripod is needed for framing and sharpness. You might also want to change
your focusing screen with a grid screen as they make alignments of your
subject much easier. See also Architectural
photography with medium format
Recommended Reading : Architectural Photography: Composition, Capture, and Digital Image Processing
Architectural photography is more than simply choosing a subject and pressing the shutter-release button; it's more than just documenting a project. An architectural photograph shows the form and appeal of a building far better than any other medium. With the advent of the digital photographic workflow, architects are discovering exciting new opportunities to present and market their work.
But what are the ingredients for a successful architectural photograph? What equipment do you need? How can you improve your images in your digital darkroom? Why does a building look different in reality than in a photographic image? In this book you will find the answers to these questions and much more.
Author Adrian Schulz-both an architect and a photographer by training-uses real-world projects to teach you how to:
- Capture outstanding images of buildings, inside and out
- Choose the right equipment and use it effectively
- Compose architectural shots
- Work with ambient and artificial light
- Process images in an efficient workflow based on Adobe Photoshop
This second edition has been extensively revised and includes 80 new images and illustrations, as well as an expanded chapter on shooting interior spaces. Also included is an updated discussion of post-processing techniques and the latest technical developments in the world of photography. With this book, you will learn a variety of creative tips, tricks, and guidelines for making the perfect architectural image.