Some photographic disciplines seem to resist more than others. Some for laziness, others for equipment, others for ignorance and others because we have the feeling that we are "big." I have the impression that one of them is architecture. Of course, I speak from my point of view and from my experience, because that's how I feel it. However, experience also tells me that with enthusiasm and some advice everything can be undertaken, therefore, I dedicate this article to architectural photography, in case you are in a similar situation, that you take away your fear and throw yourself for the Architecture photography, the one that tempts you so much.
WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY?
First of all, better define concepts, so that they are very clear and we know what we are talking about. Architecture photography is responsible for capturing the elements and spaces created by man . It includes both the exterior of the buildings and the interior or the details that make this work unique.EXITS OF ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography can be taken for love of art or as a means of making a living. If what you have in mind goes more with the first, you can jump to the next paragraph. On the other hand, if you are looking for new job opportunities within photography, you are reinventing yourself, or you need to expand your business, you may want to know about possible outputs of this type of photography:- Document a project built for the architect's own file or the architectural studio that projected it.
- Publications in books, web or magazines, architecture, decoration, etc.
- Advertising of construction companies, hotels, restaurants, real estate
- Tourism dynamization
MATERIAL
One of the first questions that will come to mind will be "what do I need?" While a great team is not necessary as in other photographic disciplines, I must tell you that you should have some considerations and that certain material, if not essential, will be of great help. You also have to take into account what the purpose of photography is, if it is artistic, if to practice and enjoy or if it is for a publication or a sale. Well, in the latter case, customer expectations can be even higher than yours.TRIPOD
Architecture photography can be done without it. Although I recommend that you include it (one with a ball head) in the ideal equipment for indoor photographs and for those cases in which the light conditions are poorer, such as a sunset, blue hour, and so on. It can also serve you when it comes to capturing the movement around.OBJECTIVE
Perhaps it is in this part of the team that you have to pay more attention. To photograph a building, mainly because of its dimensions, you will have to make use of wide-angle , but be careful, optics that are not very extreme because it is important to avoid distortions. Ideally, you should use a decentrable objective , although for its price, it is something to consider when the thing is serious. To try, practice, enjoy, etc., in principle it is not necessary. The important thing is that you avoid distortions by keeping your camera straight and parallel to the focal plane. You can also try another type of more standard objectives to capture details, textures, etc., or telephoto lenses, when you want to achieve some compression effect between the work and the environment. Well, with these objectives a lot of depth is lost and the different planes seem to be together.BUBBLE LEVEL
It is something very cheap that, however, can help you so that the lines do not fall. Use a spirit level to make sure the camera is completely straight in the different planes.EXTERNAL INDOOR FLASH
While it is useless outdoors, indoors, well used, can get you out of more trouble. You will not always have large windows in broad daylight.POLARIZING FILTER
Another accessory that will come as a finger ring on certain occasions is a polarizing filter. And what are those occasions? For example when it comes to avoiding reflections in crystals, when you want to contrast clouds or when saturating the skies that surround your main building.REMOTE SWITCH
When making long exposures, a remote shutter will avoid trepidation by the shot (otherwise you can pull the timer on your camera, but it is somewhat inconvenient to shoot many times).INDICTED
While the ideal is to use a decentrable objective so that the lines do not fall , it is not always possible. Nor is it to avoid these crooked lines if you cannot change your point of view, because no matter how much you put your camera at the correct angle, part of the building you want to include is still outside. That is why you have the option of correcting lines with an editing program, however, avoid it whenever you can because it will never be the same, the photo will be cropped, information will have to be filled in, and so on. On the other hand, not only lines require processing, lighting, which is a key factor will also require certain adjustments. Especially if you have different ambient lights with different temperatures. A good white balance adjustment will be essential. For a better result, shoot in RAW . Finally, when you edit an architecture photograph, try to make it as close as possible to reality, too artificial photographs lose interest.THE SOUL OF THE BUILDING
Find out about the building, what its history is, what intentions the architect had, if you can contact him or her to talk to you about the essence of his work. As much as it is a static and supposedly inanimate element, it has a soul. It has been created by a person who has put dreams, illusions, desires, effort and much care in him. If you manage to capture even a small part of its essence, you will have a great tour won.WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL
In line with the above, once you know the personality of the building, think about what you want to tell about it. Based on this you can take one type of photography or another. You can use one type of light or another, include movement around or people to show its scale. What you want to tell is decided by the work and your interests (or the client's), but whatever it is, try to have it more or less clear before standing in front of the building or architectural work.ENVIRONMENT
The phrase of Ortega y Gasset "I am me and my circumstances" comes to mind, because we could say that something like this happens to a building, in this case it is it and its surroundings. An architectural work is not usually isolated, it coexists with other buildings, with other architectural or natural spaces. This coexistence is sometimes casual, sometimes it is managed very incompetently (especially in certain past decades where many architectural "crimes" were carried out in this country (Spain)). Although that is another issue. And other times, that relationship is studied, cared for and pampered. Stop to think about it, see, if you can find out when you investigate the work itself and take it into account when making your photographs. But never forget the surroundings.INSIDE
If you think that a building or an architectural work only matters outside, it will be good to know that it is not so. On the contrary, a professional of architecture pampers both the interior and the exterior, how and where the light, the spaces, the orientations, the details, and so on. Remember that when shooting you will have to use the tripod and if there is ambient or artificial light, monitor the white balance.THE KEYS IN ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
In photography there are two key elements, which although they are in photography in general, here they have a special importance. I speak of light and composition .1. LIGHT
For something the great architect Le Corbusier said: In photography, light is important (as well as necessary), in architecture it is also important. When a professional projects a building, he does it keeping in mind the light at all times, since it is the one that helps him, among other aspects to shape the spaces and create volumes. It takes into account both daylight and its changes, as well as the way to illuminate spaces artificially. All this affects the way in which the building is perceived, both outside and inside. And it even influences the mood of those who inhabit or visit it. Therefore, it is very important that you observe the light and how it coexists with the work before planning your session. It is convenient for you to know which light is best for you, which one is more appropriate to tell what you have proposed to transmit with your photograph. Some tricks :- Except to look for backlights, the ideal is that the sunlight is behind us or at most 45º to our left or right.
- The hard overhead light highlights the textures of the walls.
- The exteriors look great with the warm and soft light of sunset or sunrise.
- The blue hour is a great time to combine the blue of the sky with the yellow of artificial lights of the houses or the street lamps.
2. COMPOSITION
Perhaps a photograph that conveys a strong emotion can be forgiven if the composition is not very good. In architecture photography it won't happen to you. If you don't pay special attention to the composition, it won't help you to find the perfect light. Take care of the lines , study the different perspectives , maintain visual balance and make the most of the vanishing point . Another resource that you can use in your photographs is the human factor. Including people in the frame will help you show the scale. On the other hand, if the purposes are, for example, real estate advertising, this resource will give you an emotional addition.MOST COMMON PROBLEMS IN ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY?
The main problems you will encounter will be:1. LIGHT
Indoors and after the sun goes down you will encounter the problem of lack of light. Solutions? On the one hand, the use of the tripod, on the other, the external flash that indicated you to photograph indoor or certain outdoor areas. Of course, ensure that, except for a specific effect, the light is bounced or blurred. A flash will never be a good solution. Eye also with white balance. On the other hand, you will have to adapt to ambient light outdoors . It will be your knowledge of the different types of light, knowing which one is more optimal for what you want to tell, which will help you solve it. You can chase the light that suits you best, wait for it or even adapt to it if there is no other left. Before I left you some tricks, don't forget them.2. LACK OF SPACE
By this I mean that, on some occasions you will find yourself unable to frame the entire work due to lack of space to move. Many times these buildings are, in turn, surrounded by others. You would like to be able to get away, include the environment, etc. However, the limitations are there. In this case, the solution goes through the team or even your ingenuity to capture other perspectives, abstract or capture details.TEXTURES, GEOMETRIES AND DETAILS
The whole is always the sum of its parts, so when it comes to photographing any architectural work, recreate the small details, the visible geometries, the textures, and so on. With them you can even create abstract images. Once again, good light management and composition will help you with this task.BLACK AND WHITE
There are many reasons to shoot in black and white. Today I am going to leave you a few related to this photographic discipline, so you do not forget the gray scale:- Power line-based compositions
- Reinforce textures
- Eliminate color distractions
- It is timeless
INSPIRATION
And, finally, I leave you with some architecture photographers, so you can find ideas, inspiration and so you can go a little deeper into the advice I just gave you. Of course, it is about walking around its galleries, not staying in them forever. Run for your camera and go to photograph any building you have nearby and you like. The only way to really learn is with practice. Come on! What are you waiting for?