Jeremy Flint shows you how to Shoot Architecture in six simple steps
Architectural photography refers to the art of photographing buildings and other structures and is a great genre for photographers to capture as it has a significant advantage over any other field of photography because your subject stays in one place. You can therefore find your subject with ease and know it will be there if you return another time. Architecture is an extremely enjoyable photography subject to shoot as it encompasses many different forms from ancient to modern structures and both interior and exterior types of architecture, for example. Architecture can look great at any time of day. Whether you are photographing architecture when the sky is a deep shade of blue or features of buildings that are beautifully lit, the pictures can often be stunning. You may be wondering what elements are worth considering in order to capture interesting photos of architecture, well here are 6 simple steps to help you on your way:
Step 1 Choose a location
One of the first things to do when undertaking any type of architecture photography is to choose a location. This could be a city or town near to where you live that has great architecture or an area that is renowned for its famous buildings such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh or York. Most importantly, choose a place that interests you.
Step 2 Decide on a subject
Once you have decided on a location, decide which subject you would like to shoot. Attractive architectural subjects could be anything from bridges to buildings, monuments and cityscapes. Whatever your preferred subject, find one that you like and that way you will enjoy photographing it more. This could be an iconic or breathtaking building such as the London Bridge or the Houses of Parliament, for example.
Step 3 Consider the time of day
When photographing architecture, the light can vary significantly so it is always worth considering the time of day you plan to arrive at a building. Depending on the angle of the sun and the time of day, some of the structure may be in the shade and some in direct sunlight so you may want to time your visit when the light falls favourably on your structure.
Step 4 Shoot interior and exterior architecture
Photographing architecture can encompass shooting both exteriors and interiors and can cover anything from an iconic city scene and its historical landmarks to less familiar local structures. As the outside of a famous building can sometimes be hard to photograph due to the large volumes of tourists present, take the opportunity to photograph inside the structure. You can shoot anything from modern interior spaces to large enclosed areas.
Step 5 Find an angle
Some places provide endless inspiration, while others make you work harder to find strong compositions. It is worth exploring a location to find an angle you like and to capture the scene in an interesting way. Try a wide-angle setting to take in the whole scene and then change your position to find an alternative angle.
Step 6 Shoot some details
To capture something a bit different, allow some time to wander around a building and look for interesting details. You may be drawn to shoot the structures shapely patterns or some of its distinguishing features that stand out such as a statue or sculptural details on the façade of the building. These details can give a very different impression and composition of the architecture.
About the Author
Jeremy Flint is a multi-award winning travel photographer who has visited over 60 countries. His work has featured in a range of publications including National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet, and various national newspapers. To see more of Jeremy’s work, visit his website, Instagram and Facebook page.
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