Top Tips For Architectural Photography UK

Architectural Photography is the photography of buildings, usually in urban areas. The term “architectural photography” usually refers to pictures taken of buildings and other structures for purposes of studying and documenting them, while the related term “commercial photography” typically refers to photos taken for purposes of advertising or other marketing purposes.

There are many uses for architectural photographs, such as the study of building design by architectural historians, documentation of historic sites; interior design; virtual tours; and marketing material such as promotional brochures or presentations.

The most common type of architectural photography is a close-up shot of an object from a distance. This kind of photo can be used to show details that would otherwise not be visible due to scale. It’s also useful when you want to emphasize certain features without having to zoom into your subject matter.

Another popular use of architectural photography is to create panoramic images that capture a structure’s entire view at once. These types of shots are often created using multiple exposures with different focal lengths. They’re great for showing off large spaces like lobbies or hallways.

In this article, we’ll go over some tips on how to take good architectural photos. We’ll start by discussing what makes an excellent architectural photograph before moving on to more specific techniques. Then we’ll discuss ways to improve your skills so you can get better results every time!

What Makes a Good Architecture Photo?

When it comes to taking architectural photos, property photographers need to focus on two main things make up a successful image: composition and lighting. Let’s look at each one separately.

Composition

This might seem obvious, but if you don’t have a clear idea about where to place your camera, you won’t end up with any exciting compositions. You should always try to compose your picture before shooting because it will help you decide where to position yourself.

Here are some examples of bad and good compositions:

Bad Composition – Too much clutter around the subject

Good Composition – Clear background with no distractions

Lighting

As mentioned above, lighting plays a massive role in making sure your architectural photos turn out well. If you shoot under harsh light conditions, you may need to wait until later hours to take these kinds of photos. But even during daylight hours, shadows cast by objects near the sun can cause problems.

Top Tips for Architecture Photography

Here are some tips on how to take great architectural shots:

1) Use natural light whenever possible. If it’s cloudy outside, try using flash instead. You may need to experiment with different settings depending on what camera you have.

2) When shooting architecture, make sure there isn’t too much clutter around the scene. Try moving objects out of the way, so they don’t get in the frame. Also, avoid placing yourself directly under windows because this will cause reflections.

3) Don’t forget about composition! Make sure all elements within the image work together. For example, if you’re taking a window picture, include something else in the background like trees or sky.

4) Be patient! Architecture takes time to shoot well. Take breaks now and then to rest your eyes and give your brain a chance to relax.

5) Shoot more than one angle. Sometimes the best angles aren’t apparent right away. By capturing multiple perspectives, you’ll end up with better results overall.

6) Experiment with shutter speeds. Slow down your exposure times. This allows you to blur any movement in front of the lens.

7) Keep things simple. Avoid trying to do too much with each shot. Instead, focus on getting just enough detail to convey the message you want to send.

8) Get creative!

What Are Some Best Cameras for Architectural Photography?

In fact, the world’s oldest surviving photo, View from the Window at Le Gras, is an example of architectural photography, and it was taken in the 1820s!

Many photographers capture stunning architecture photography. If you plan on taking photos of large-scale projects like skyscrapers, then you’ll probably be using a full-frame camera. These cameras offer better image quality than smaller sensors because they allow light into every corner of the sensor.

However, there are still plenty of reasons why people use compact digital cameras instead of DSLRs. For one thing, most architects don’t own a lot of expensive gear, so buying a new camera isn’t always feasible. Another reason is portability. Compact digital cameras are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry anywhere. They also provide good performance even though their lenses might not be able to compete with those found on larger models.

If you’d instead go analog, check out these top picks for architectural photography equipment:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Full Frame DSLR

Canon’s flagship professional SLR offers high resolution, fast autofocus speed, RAW format support, a built-in GPS system, and advanced video features. It can record 1080p HD videos as well as 21.1 MP images. The body has weatherproofing capabilities, which makes it ideal for outdoor shoots.

Nikon D800

Nikon’s latest pro model boasts a 36.3 MP APS-C size CMOS FX format sensor that captures detailed imagery while offering excellent low-light sensitivity. Its AF system provides accurate focusing during both manual and automatic modes. Other notable features include a 4-fps continuous shooting rate, ISO range of 100-6400 (expandable), Full HD movie recording capability, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Sony’s newest mirrorless interchangeable lens camera packs impressive specs, including 24.3 megapixels, a 3.0-inch LCD screen, Full HD 1080/24/60P video recording, F/2.0 aperture, and BIONZ X processor. With its sleek design and intuitive controls, it’s perfect if you are a newbie architectural photographer.

Best Lens for Architectural Photography

The following list includes some of the best architectural photography lenses available today. However, remember that this doesn’t mean all of these lenses will work perfectly for everyone. You should test different types of lenses before deciding what works best for you.

Wide Angle Lenses

A wide-angle lens lets you shoot landscapes or tall buildings without having to crop the final product later. Wide-angle lenses usually have focal lengths between 16mm and 35mm. Some examples include Canon EF 17–40 mm f/4L USM, Nikon 14–35 mm f/2.8G ED VR DX, Sigma 10–22 mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Art.

Macro Lenses

When used correctly, macro lenses let you get close up shots of details such as leaves, flowers, insects, etc. This type of lens allows you to focus very closely on your subject. Examples include Canon EF 50mm f/1, Canon 24-105mm f/4 L, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro G IF DG OSH, Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO.

Telephoto Lenses

These lenses give you more zoom power than standard prime lenses. Telephoto lenses typically start at around 200mm but can extend to 600mm or longer depending on the manufacturer. An example would be Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS USM.

Prime Lenses

This category contains only single element lenses. Prime lenses offer sharpness and clarity comparable to other lenses, but they lack optical stabilization systems. These lenses tend to cost less than zooms because they do not require an additional lens mount.

Examples include Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22, Sigma 16mm f/1.4 Contemporary DC DN.

Tilt-Shift Lens

If you want to take pictures from unusual angles, then tilt-shift lenses may be right for you. Tilting shift lenses allow you to move the entire lens assembly instead of just moving one part like most tilt-shift lenses. They also provide greater control over the depth of field compared with traditional tilt-shift lenses.

An example is Canon TS-E 90mm f/4L USMS.

What Are the Challenges in Architectural Photography?

Architectural photography is a genre of photography that is quite difficult to take on because it has its own set of challenges. Different types of architectural photography, like interior photography and exterior photography, come with their own challenges.

An architectural photographer has to be aware of the limitations when choosing the photographs, they want to take. For example, an interior photographer has much less leeway when choosing the light that they can use in the photo than an exterior photographer does.

Here are some tips to help you overcome the challenges associated with taking great architectural photos.

Lighting

You need good lighting if you want to capture beautiful images of architecture. The key thing about good lighting is that it must be soft enough so that you don’t see any shadows. If there are too many hard edges in the image, it won’t look natural.

The best way to achieve this effect is by using multiple lights. You should place them strategically throughout the room where you’re shooting. It’s essential to know how each light will affect the overall feel of the photograph.

For instance, placing a large spotlight directly above the model might make her appear small and insignificant. On the other hand, putting two smaller spotlights behind her could create a dramatic mood.

Another option is to use ambient light. This means that all your lights are off except for what comes naturally into the scene. Ambient light tends to have softer shadows than artificial light sources.

When working indoors, try to avoid direct sunlight as well. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows, which makes people look uncomfortable. Instead, shoot during early morning hours or late afternoon.

Shooting Time

It takes time to get used to capturing architecture.

It takes practice before you start getting comfortable with the process. There are no shortcuts here. Just keep practising until you find yourself doing things instinctively without thinking about it first.

There are several ways to improve your skills in photographing architecture. One method is to watch architecture photography tutorials online showing photographers who specialize in architecture. Another technique is to read books written specifically about architecture photography.

Finally, go out and visit famous buildings that interest you. Take notes about the architectural details you notice while looking around. Then return home and study those notes.

Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you’ll be ready to take stunning images and build your reputation as an exceptional architecture photographer.