Architectural Photography
Remodeled Home: Construction: HighCraft Builders.
Let’s start with the why. In short, it’s super important because it makes great architecture look fantastic. Developers, builders, interior designers, architects, and owners spend thousands to millions of dollars on a project. If any of these people want to highlight their hundreds of hours of work in a single image then it is important that final images look incredible. Also, most people view images for less than a second . . . . so that split second had better count. Architectural photography helps showcase architecture (skyscrapers, offices, homes, interiors and exteriors of structures) in some of the most pleasing ways possible.
Final Image of St. Peters Fly Shop, Fort Collins, CO. Construction: HighCraft Builders.
Snapshot vs. Architectural Photography
I was hired to shoot a local landmark (well, I don’t know how landmarkish it is . . . unless you’re a fly fisherman or attuned to cool old buildings) in Fort Collins. Below is a quick “snapshot” of the building on a scouting trip juxtaposed against the “final” photo (above). Can you see a difference? Of course you can. Does one photo give life, appeal, and romance to the building whereas the other doesn’t? I ‘m hoping you vote for the first . . . .
Parallel Lines: A Must in Architectural Photography
Let’s dissect a “sexy image.” Yes, some of my architectural photographs have been accused of being a little too sexy. ( “Sweet,” in the manner of Napoleon Dynamite). First off, do you notice how all of the vertical lines on the “final images” of the St. Peters Fly Shop are parallel? Parallel lines are key. If they aren’t parallel then the building looks like it’s had a wee to much to drink (above shot) and is about to fall forward or backward (the tippiness is determined by the way the camera is tilted), and that’s not cool. Not to mention that non-parallel lines make lousy layouts for magazines, brochures, and websites. Why? Because those tilted lines are really showcased when butted up against the nice straight edge of a physical border. There is a caveat . . . if you’re shooting using unique or crazy angles then you can get away with crazy non-parallel lines.
Final Image, St. Peters Fly Shop, Fort Collins, CO. Construction: HighCraft Builders.
Exterior Lighting: Architectural Photography
Let’s talk about lighting. The previous images (besides the snapshot) are lit, which helps give the building a soul. Exterior lighting adds another dimension to the logistics and time involved with a shoot, even more so the bigger the building gets. But lit shots give the glam: glowing windows, warm skin, and a metallic blue that’ll make the bluebird sing. It gives the building a soul, glowing with life.
Natural Light: It Can Look Sweet Too in Architectural Photography
Now lighting exteriors is not always possible (time, budget, location, size), but you can still bestow pizazz upon all structures with natural light. Below is an example. The photograph still captures the essence and beauty of the building - architecture photography at it’s best.
Final Image Created Using Natural Light. Fort Collins, CO. Construction: Delta Construction
Windows, usually you want to see out . . . . after all it’s a window.
Another key to architectural photography is windows. Are windows blown out (over exposed)? Do they bleed into white? Or can you see surrounding details through the windows? Typically, you want to see the outside . . . remember it’s a window.
Remodeled Kitchen. Notice how the windows are exposed correctly? Construction: HighCraft Builders
Mood, Baby, Mood.
The last thing that I’d like to discuss is ambiance: aka, the feel or the essence. Do the images capture (or create) a favorable character for the building? Are the subtle effects of lighting captured? Are the nuances that were debated (often for hours) perceptible? If it’s a warm design does that warmth come through? If it’s cold and hard, can you feel the chill?
Notice the recessed lighting? Design: Dion Willams, dwDesignGroup.com. Construction: HighCraft Builders.
Mood Baby Mood. The warmth of the red & orange tones are picked up with highlights from the window (to the right of the frame). Design: Dion Williams, dwDesignGroup.com
Remodeled Kitchen. Design: Dion Williams, dwDesignGroup.com, Barb Bolin, Kevco.com
New Eyes - Go Forth and See
Now that you’ve been introduced to parallel vertical lines, windows that are properly exposed, ambiance details, and natural vs artificial exterior lighting, you can decide the quality of an architectural photograph.
Special Thanks To:
Dion Williams: www.dwDesignGroup.com (your work is amazing, it keeps me inspired)
HighCraft Builders: www.HighCraft.net (your work is the bomb - the interior of St. Petes will always amaze me)
Barb Bolin: Kevco.com (your taste is impeccable, humor is hilarious, and not to mention you run one heck (it’s a blog - no bad words) of a company).
