Architectural Photography – It’s In The Details:
Architectural photography consists of clean lines and details. The way a building is conceived and executed helps us track history. Different styles and eras can all be seen by simply walking through different areas of the world, or even city you live in. For those trying to photograph architecture, there needs to be an appreciation of history, of natural lighting. Architectural photographers look not just for an arch or a ledge, they look for lines that repeat, or details that stand out from others.
The majority of architectural photography incorporates the exterior of structures. To this end, it’s important for photographers to understand when the sun will best light the features they want to capture. As with any photography, early morning sun and evening sun make for the most dramatic images. The architectural photographer will most likely scout the area they want to shoot ahead of time and set up a shot list, so when the lighting is right, they can get to work. Some photographers are using their own lighting to capture buildings at night. This lets them highlight the exact areas they want.
Architectural photography also incorporates the interior details of a building. These can include lighting structures, archways that lead between rooms, courtyards and more. It can include flooring, or the literal nuts and bolts that hold the building together. Shooting inside can be tough depending on how much natural light you have. Be prepared to bring your own lighting to the shoot so you can highlight the exact subject you want.
To create some contrast or visual interest, high fashion models might be brought in. There is something about the curves of the body against stark architecture. Another technique is to use the body’s curves to mirror the curves of a building.
The purpose of architectural photography is to capture a time and a place. For example, one should be able to guess the era of the image by what is shown. An Italian Villa will have distinct details that generally don’t appear anywhere else in the world. These can include Gothic and Renaissance influenced styles that utilize rounded arches, classical columns, colonnades and symmetrical composition.
Details such as hand-laid bricks in a herringbone pattern become art within itself. The right photographer might be able to capture this scene as almost a sea of red brick, leading off into a horizon.
Villa Siena is a modern-day building that recreates the beauty and elegance of the Italian Villa where ‘hand carved stone frames each window and door. The exterior is adorned with golden toned stone quarried in Colorado. The exterior plaster has been expertly finished to give an aged appearance. Warm colors reminiscent of the classic Tuscan hues of warm golden honey have been expertly applied. The red-stacked roof completes the perfect pairing of gold with reds so commonly seen in the sun drenched Tuscan countryside. The live gas flame lanterns adorning the exterior of the building provide a romantic ambiance for those enjoying the evening air in one of four well-manicured courtyards. Cherubs, stone fountains, and nicely shaped benches decorate each courtyard making any event held at the villa a memorable one.’
To capture architectural photography properly, it’s important be inspired by the surroundings. There is something stunning about a structure that man created by hand. Each detail, each arch, each brick laid creates a design that tells a story. The architectural photographer’s job is to capture that story and share it with the world.
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