subject: Architectural Photography – It's In the Details [print this page] There is something pleasing about architectural photography. The clean, simple lines, the details that establish time and place come to life through the eyes of architectural photographers. Just as each discipline of photography needs a certain skill, with architectural photography, one must see more than a building, one must see the curves, the arches, and the patterns that carry through. They must look for design elements that repeat and elements that stand alone.
Because of the nature of architectural photography, lighting plays a key role. To shoot building exteriors, the photographer must rely on natural light. This usually means rising before the sun to capture first light, or waiting for the evening's golden hours. To capture architectural photography, the photographer must already know the angles he/she wants to shoot and the image he/she wants to capture so when the lighting is right, they are ready to go. Another technique is to light a building at night for an ethereal effect.
For interior architectural details, the photographer must utilize his/her own lighting system. He/she must know how to bring warmth to the image without having reflections cast or harsh shadows. Many times a photographer will light the room by bouncing light off the ceiling instead of shining light directly onto the image they are attempting to capture.
High fashion models are often posed on interesting architectural details in order to create a contrast between that which is man-made and the natural world. Sometimes the curves of the human body will be mimicked by arches or rounded corners. Other times the human body stands against crisp clean lines.
The purpose of architectural photography is to capture a time and a place. For example, one should be able to guess the era of the image by what is shown. An Italian Villa will have distinct details that generally don't appear anywhere else in the world. These can include Gothic and Renaissance influenced styles that utilize rounded arches, classical columns, colonnades and symmetrical composition.
Details such as hand-laid bricks in a herringbone pattern become art within itself. The right photographer might be able to capture this scene as almost a sea of red brick, leading off into a horizon.
One example of modern day architecture recreating the past is Villa Siena. Hand carved stone frames each window and door. The exterior is adorned with golden toned stone quarried in Colorado. The exterior plaster has been expertly finished to give an aged appearance. Warm colors reminiscent of the classic Tuscan hues of warm golden honey have been expertly applied. The red-stacked roof completes the perfect pairing of gold with reds so commonly seen in the sun drenched Tuscan countryside. The live gas flame lanterns adorning the exterior of the building provide a romantic ambience for those enjoying the evening air in one of four well manicured courtyards. Cherubs, stone fountains, and nicely shaped benches decorate each courtyard making any event held at the villa a memorable one.'
To capture architectural photography properly, it's important be inspired by the surroundings. There is something stunning about a structure that man created by hand. Each detail, each arch, each brick laid creates a design that tells a story. The architectural photographer's job is to capture that story and share it with the world.
