Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Shooting Concepts For Architectural Photography

By Ann Jordan


With a camera in hand and a good eye for detail, anything can transform from a mundane subject into an extraordinary one. Boston architectural photography proves this with the works that artists come up with when shooting buildings, structures and shapes. With the right composition, a story will always be told visually.

Techniques are learned not because it is mandated but because every artist has to learn from previously proven approaches. It helps them develop their own style given the existing norms. As a photographer, you are bringing out what you know and what more you want to learn about this craft. These reminders will serve as an inspiration that your vision must be developed further if you possess it.

The all too common sub field to this area of photography is old architecture. These buildings have stood the test of time and are preserved in character with their vintage appeal. For this, minimalism is advised because the structure and its surroundings alone will already suffice as a means to convey meanings and messages that are open to interpretation.

Modern architecture on the other hand offers a new perspective in taking photographs with the focus on more experimental interpretations. Buildings are made into distortions thanks to abstract approaches and even the aid of tools such as wide angle lenses. In a way, it presents a unique touch that is different from the vintage take.

Meanwhile, photographers can also play around with the concept further. There are instances where it would be more logical to include the surroundings to put more meaning into the subject. At the same time, there are landscape views that deserve the spotlight through a tightly framed shot alone thus directing focus into the main intention.

Since architecture is all about lines, forms and details, lighting plays a crucial role in the equation. Given that no one is in control of the positioning of the structures themselves, the photographer then has to study how the light falls on the subject. Nature provides for this, so it is in your power to manipulate it and make do with what the knowledge and gears you have.

Also, do not underestimate the beauty of the night time to bring out an entirely different character to the structures. Shadows dance along from the moon lit sky and the artificial lighting that surrounds the place. This calls for striking details that bring an all new meaning to the building that can be romanticized with insane long exposures that produce dreamlike results.

Details are not just about filling your frame to the brim with patterns, it is also about focusing on minimal contours and shapes. You should develop an eye for these if you also want to add variety to your body of work. In this way, you can explore abstractions with the zoomed in features.

There is something ordinary yet striking about buildings, and it is through Boston architectural photography that this beauty is brought out. Those who have mastered the field know that with an eye for composition, the possibilities remain endless. It is up to the artist to make interpretations that are refreshing to the eyes and compelling enough to tell a story.




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