Architectural Photography: Shoot Like a Pro

This field of photography focuses on capturing buildings and structures in their fine detail for aesthetic displays or commercial purposes. Successful architectural photography largely depends on your lens type and the type of camera you use.Tilt-shift lenses are the best lenses to use. These lenses allow for the perspective to be tilted or shifted, this also opens up the possibility for further creative adjustments during editing. Tilt shift lenses eliminate the need for unnecessary camera movements thus creating sharper images. Below are more tips to consider when shooting architectural structures.

• Exterior 
  

  The daylight is the main light source. Also, moonlight and street lights at dusk can help you to creatively compose an interesting shot of a building. A little bit of background or foreground is necessary to put the subject building into perspective, for instance, a fountain or garden.

• Bright balance your camera
  

  This is necessary when shooting outside to avoid overexposure. You can bright balance the camera by focusing on the bright part of the sky to get the camera accustomed to the exterior brightness. This helps the camera to auto adjust to the color temperature of the sunlight in order to get sharper images when you start shooting.

• Shoot in different weather conditions
  

  The weather can creatively influence the composition of your shot. Shoot in different weather conditions and compare the shots to choose the best. For instance, a building with a rainbow in the backdrop or a stormy cloud can make the photo more exciting.

• Shoot at different times of day
  

  The direction of the sun can influence how a building looks. It is, therefore, wise to take shots at different times of day to see how the focus of the sun’s light influences the image. The building may take a different shade in the evening from what it was at sunrise. You can also choose to shoot the silhouette moment when the building is between you and the sun.

• The photographer eye-view
  

  This camera angle is necessary to enhance the beauty of the building and at the same time show its immensity. As an architectural photographer, you need to play around with different camera angles to come up with unique and detailed shots.

• Interior
  

  Here you will rely on additional lighting like fluorescent bulbs to properly illuminate the building. The good thing about architectural photography is that the subject is static and so you can easily add plenty of effects during editing.

The location that is the subject of your shot also matters most. You don’t have to go and shoot famous architectural structures of the world to stand out as an architectural photographer. All you need to do is find an uncommon structure and turn it into a remarkable one through the power of the lens.