Capturing the best architectural photograph isn’t an easy feat. Architectural photography captures the image of a structure in a way that reproduces the appeal and the beauty of the structure. Many factors come into play when taking pictures of architecture that can affect the shot significantly. Some of these factors can be controlled and some cannot.
That being said, the static nature of the structures makes it easier for photographers to plan the shot and execute it well for the best outcome. This minimizes a variety of problems.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which you can perfect your architectural photography.
Find a Unique Location
One of the primary factors that you should consider for your architectural photography sessions is the location. The right location can make your photograph look exquisite. There are certain common locations for photographing architectural structures. Over the years, these have been photographed quite a number of times in a variety of conditions. While you can select these locations, you can also choose an uncommon one.
You can look for locations that no one has photographed. It isn’t necessary to travel far to find such locations. You can assign yourself a project to find a structure that has not been photographed at all. Now you can add your own touch to the structure by photographing it from different angles and composing the picture well.
Light is the Most Important Factor
Light is one of the most crucial elements of architectural photography. The direction of light can affect the contrast, reflections, shadows and textures of the photograph. Tall buildings coupled with the direction of light can generate a high level of contrast. This may cause the camera to expose the scene incorrectly, thus ruining the photograph.
To prevent such a situation, it is wise to visit the building beforehand and find out the light conditions during early morning and late afternoon. Photographing at these times can lend a large degree of contrast to the images, thus making the photograph look interesting. In addition to that, clouds can affect the light conditions as well. That being said, cloudy skies are unpredictable. Therefore, you might have to wait for some time before you can take the picture.
Use the Right Photography Gear
The right photography equipment is essential to take stunning photographs of architecture. Choosing a wide-angle lens is the best idea when it comes to capturing architecture. This is because these lenses can be used to fit the entire structure in the image. This helps in adding dramatic composition to the images.
Sometimes the buildings can be too wide to fit into one image. This is where a panoramic format of the camera becomes beneficial. The photos can be stitched together to form a complete picture. Some of the cameras come with a stitching feature.
Try a Different Perspective
Your position while taking the photograph of a structure can impact the final picture a lot. You can take the shots from various angles. This will lend different perspectives to the photographs that you take. For example, you can take close-ups of the building or take the picture inside the structure with the camera facing upward. The camera facing downward as you position yourself at the top of the stairs can produce some wonderful photos. A bug’s eye view of the building can also look quite unique.
Trying out different angles to shoot the photograph of the architecture can create some captivating shots.
Compose the Shots Well
A well-planned shot of a structure can look mesmerizing. A large part of this relies on the composition of the shot. Keep in mind that the composition should be well-balanced to make the picture look striking. One of the best composition methods is the Rule of Thirds. For this, you would need to divide the image into three equal part, both horizontally and vertically. Now you would need to place the subject either in one of the thirds or at the intersection of the lines.
These tips can help in taking wonderful pictures of architecture. Apart from that, you should ensure that your basic photography skills are updated. If you live in the UAE, you can attend photography seminars in the UAE to learn from the experts and build your photography skills.
Tristan Taylor, a proficient fashion photographer, is associated with various photography workshops, seminars and symposiums. He keeps himself updated with nitty-gritties of fashion photography industry. Tristan found Gulf Photo Plus extremely helpful to extract information regarding Fine art printing, Giclee print and other aspects related to photography.
