Architectural Photography

Architectural photography and urban landscape photography is the most fascinating aspect, especially when we are in nostalgic mood of our holidays. Isolated or collectively, all buildings have got their own beauty and personality. Depending on the purpose, we can explore the infinite composition variations to bring out the utmost photogenic view of a structure.



Architectural photography can be out doors as well as indoors. Out door architectural photographs are generally shot with available day light. Take time to study the lighting. We may have to visit the site next day morning to shoot for that particular angle. Be sure not to incorporate distracting elements like lamp post or garbage bin in the composition.



Take care of vertical lines. When a view camera (mono rail camera) is used for architectural photography, vertical lines can easily be corrected. With an SLR or a digital SLR, we can use a shift lens (perspective control lens) to correct vertical lines. However, if we are using a camera without a shift lens or if we are shooting architectural photography with a compact camera, then we have no choice but to go on a height to minimize the distortion and perspective.

Oblique and directional lighting will bring out texture and shape in a better way in architectural photography, but we can experiment at dawn or dusk.

These photographs can be shot at night also, especially if the subject (building) is well lit with artificial lights. If it is not well lit, then we can use "painting with light" technique.

Mount the camera on a sturdy tripod or place it on some rigid support and compose the frame. Select f 8 or f 11 aperture and open the shutter by setting shutter dial on "B". (if the camera has no "B" exposure setting, then use the longest shutter speed available, which can be up to fifteen or thirty minutes.)



Now take a small compact flash light and manually fire at the building from ten to fifteen feet distance. You will only be able to cover some part of the building. Keep firing form different spots at different angles. This way "paint" the entire building with light. Check for the result as it will depend on aperture setting, out put power of your flash, firing distance and number of flash fired. You have to do trial and error to get the final shot. (be sure that no street light or any other bright spot is present in the composed frame.)

In architectural photography, shooting interior of a building is rather more challenging as compared to the exterior of a building. Lighting is uneven, especially in a large room. Available light will not give you a pleasing result so the option is to wait until dark and then use artificial lights or flash. Here also we can use "painting with light" technique but be sure that no double shadows are recorded.



Professionally shot rooms, for interior display and architectural photography, are artificial sets. They are a temporary two walls or three walls construction without a roof. Lighting is done from top with multiple source and a key light, which is at least 2 f-stop more powerful, is set in such a way that overall effect is like you are getting light from a window. Absence of front wall provide more room for the photographer to set the camera at a longer distance.

It may be for a record purpose of an architect or interior designer, or for our own collection, architectural photography has its own beauty.

Read more about various subjects of photography

Aerial photography: Some useful consideration in aerial photography.

Amateur photography: Photography at amateur level is done as hobby. Yet, the result can be at par with a professional shoot, read more about it.

Baby photography: Photography tips of a small baby.

Bird photography: Some hints on how to shoot birds in natural environment. This could be in a jungle or a town.

Candid photography: This genre of photography is easy, right? Well, read about it.

Child photography: Considerations when doing photography of a child in indoors or outdoors.

Digital photography tips: Some useful digital photography tips.

Erotic photography: How to shoot an artistic erotic photograph which is not vulgar? Read about it.

Family portrait: Family portrait as a snap shot has no value. Proper approach can give a pictorial appeal. Get some tips on it.

Fashion photography: Interested in fashion photography? Get some very useful tips.

Fine art photography: Fine art photography has different value as compared to commercial or professional photography. Read more about it.

Fireworks photography: Fire work photography, which can be a part of night photography session. Read more about it.

Flash photography: Use of flash in photography.

Flower photography: Here are some tips on flower photography in nature and in studio.

Food photography: How to shoot dishes and food.

Food photography tips: Some more tips on camera angle in food photography.

Glamour photography: This is very lucrative genre of commercial photography. Read all about how to shoot a glamour photograph.

High angle photography: Photographs taken from higher camera position has its own importance and use. Read about it.

High key photography: Tips on high key photography lighting.

Industrial photography: This is one of the most difficult type of photography, where we have to take some care. Read about it.

Infrared photography: Infrared photography has its own use. It can be done with either IR film, or it can be done with digital camera. Read here for more information.

Landscape photography: One of the most interesting subject in photography.

Low angle photography: Photographs taken from lower camera position has its own impact. Read when to select this camera angle.

Low key photography: Lighting techniques in low key photography.

Macro photography: Close-up and macro photography tips.

Model photography: Photography of models for their portfolio.

Nature photography: This is all about photography of endless subjects, mother nature provides us. It can be part of wild life and landscape photography.

Night photography: Want to click after dark? Well, we can. Here are some useful tips on this topic.

Nude photography: How to shoot artistic nude photographs, which are not objectionable? Yes, there are some rules to follow for this genre of photography. This is one of the extremely popular subject of arts.

Outdoor photography: Here are some tips on how to do outdoor photography.

Outdoor portraits: Shooting portraits in outdoor? Must read tips on this subject.

Panoramic photography: Panoramic photography techniques

Pet photography: Pet is another popular subject, which demands to take out our camera from cupboard. Get some tips on it.

Photography in direct sun light: Direct sun light is generally not preferred in photography as it gives washed out high light and dense sharp shadows. Yet, we can artistically use this light for a shoot. Read about it.

Photojournalism: Photojournalism is a challenging assignment. Read about its tips and techniques.

Portrait photography: One of the most shot subject is a portrait of a person. It can be in a studio or outdoors. Here are some tips on studio lighting of a portrait.

Product photography: All products need to be shot for number of reasons. It can be for record purpose or for product advertisement. Read about how to shoot different products.

Publishing-house photography: This genre of photography is a good source of steady income for many professional photographers. Read more about it.

Royalty free stock photography: Photographs shot for sale on royalty free basis can give you residual income for years. Here are some tips on how and what to shoot for this niche.

Sports photography: When it comes to sports, photography falls in between event photography and wild life photography. Read about the considerations.

Still-life photography: As a serious hobby, we all must have tried still life photography. Get some tips on it.

Stock photography: Stock photography is yet another opportunity to earn some money from our creativity. Read about it.

Street photography: As a part of candid photography, street photography has its own approach, which is slightly different from candid.

Surreal photography: This is highly imaginative approach, when we plan to shoot any subject in this manner. Read about some useful tips.

Wedding photography: Wedding and function photography is main source of income for lots of photographers. Here are some tips on this subject.

Wildlife photography: One of the most interesting subject of photography, if one has passion. Read about how to take wild life pictures.

Architectural photography

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