Photography is an art form that allows people to capture moments that they’d love to look back on, whether those are grand weddings, stunning views from a holiday abroad, or a long-awaited family reunion. Beyond human subjects, photography can also be used to show the beauty of inanimate objects—emphasising elements that one quick glance won’t reveal right away.
Architectural photography aims to do just that with buildings and other structures. While the subjects may not be as dynamic as people, there is still much care and technique that goes into making sure a photo can depict the scale, beauty, and grandeur of an architectural marvel. You may be able to plan your shots ahead, for example if you seek out location houses London tourists would visit, or you may adopt a more spontaneous approach and simply take photos on the fly.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at architectural photography, especially on your next trip abroad, here are some tips from seasoned photographers to keep in mind:
1) Invest in the Right Photography Equipment
Anyone with a camera can take a good photo, but the right photography equipment can elevate the quality of your shots and truly honour the architectural subject you want to capture. You will be able to customise your settings and switch between modes more exhaustively on advanced pieces of equipment, and this will likely help you achieve your vision for a particular photo.
When it comes to architectural photography, good equipment goes a long way. A tilt-shift lens, for example, can correct your perspective and prevent the distortion of straight lines in a shot thanks to its lenticular lens. This will be crucial in portraying the lines and forms of buildings, bridges, or other architectural works that you’ll be photographing. A tripod will also prove useful, as it will help you take shots in small apertures and with low ISO sensitivity—both of which are recommended for architectural photography.
Of course, you may not want to carry around a ton of equipment with you while you’re travelling. In that case, try searching for a camera equipment rental in the area you’re in so that you can still take shots of the highest quality.
2) Pay Attention to Perspective and Angles
When it comes to taking architectural photos, perspective is key. You’ll want to convey the scale of a building or other work of architecture, but also show it in angles that aren’t typically seen. Moreover, if the building or structure you’re taking a photo of is already popular—like the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal, for instance—it would be a pleasant challenge to pick a perspective that can differentiate your photo from those typically found in travel brochures or postcards.
It’s a good idea to explore the building or observe the structure first before deciding to take your photos. Based on your experience of it, you may just find an angle or a perspective that isn’t commonly tackled in other people’s photos. You may also be able to highlight hidden charms or more unique characteristics of the architectural work and pique viewers’ interest in the process.
3) Take Photos in Varied Weather Conditions and Times of the Day
The best architecture photographers don’t stop at taking photos of a building on a sunny morning, then calling it a day. Take their cue and snap photographs of your subjects in various times and weather conditions. Perhaps some details will appear much more prominently under the orange afternoon glow, or perhaps the structure’s lighting at night will give it an almost completely different look. Showcasing these features will make for more interesting shots.
However, if you’re travelling and can only stay for a limited time, this can be quite a challenge. To remedy this, do your research about the weather beforehand and find out how you can work with typical constraints during the season that you’ll be visiting. Once you’re there, consider taking photos over the span of multiple days so that you’re not only getting a single view of the subject and so that you have multiple good shots to choose from.
4) Zoom In on the Details
Showing off the entirety of a building or structure is a common approach in architectural photography, but remember that the little details are also part of what makes a work of architecture a marvel. To fully capture the appeal of your subject, be sure to take photos of the finer details. They can consist of ornate metalwork found on a staircase bannister or a sculpture perched on a pillar; regardless, keep your eyes peeled for details that may go unnoticed.
Architectural structures all over the world carry in them the history and culture of their people—many of which manifest themselves in those tiny details. It would be a shame to miss out on capturing those important markers of cultural identity.
5) Include People in Your Shots
Even though your focus will be on an architectural structure, don’t be afraid to include people in the shot as well. This approach can serve two purposes. One is to provide a sense of scale of the building or structure you’re photographing, which will allow you to better convey how grand or towering it is in your photo. Another is to add human presence and, therefore, life to the photograph—a sense that the structure is lived in or used by the community and isn’t just something that exists in isolation.
Try to capture how different people from other parts of the world interact with these structures. Are they more likely to stop and admire a sculpture there, or are they the type to hurry along instead? You can even incorporate this as a running theme while taking photos of different architectural structures all over the world.
Architectural photography doesn’t have to be cold, static, or overly formal. Your photos of architectural marvels you’ve seen around the world can be just as warm and engaging as any other photos you take while travelling. It only takes the right techniques and perspective to unravel the stories these architectural works are built on.