Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Architectural Detail Photography



Big Ben. Taken in London, England. May 17, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.


def: Architectural detail consists of either photographs that fill the frame with smaller details of buildings or photographs that highlights the exterior or interior of architectural structures. Architectural detail photography is graphic but also aesthetic, and can also be abstract. Architecture is built on the principle of symmetry, and capturing symmetry can reinforce and strengthen the composition of a photo. 









Full building architectural detail technique: 

- Photos that aim to capture the entirety of a structure are best taken while paying attention to the direction of light, which can increase contrast, shadows and texture. 

- Fish eye or wide angle lenses are best for non point-and-shoot cameras in this genre, which enables you to frame the entire building without its entire environment due to the wider shot. 

- Weather also helps with this type of photography. If direct sunlight seems bland,
it could be helpful to wait for dark storm clouds as a background for variation. 

- Often this type of photography includes some distortion due to the buildings and towers being so tall (when shooting from the base of a building), which creates tension within the frame. Standing back can add scale. 

- This photography can also go more abstract if focusing on the strong lines where walls and ceilings meet. 
- Best to keep the subject as parallel to the camera as possible to best capture the straight lines of the architectural subject.

Full frame detail technique: 
- This type of photography focuses on smaller details instead of trying to capture the whole subject. 
- Example subjects include bases of columns, pedestals, door frames, carvings, railings, window frames, etc.  
- When taking this type of photograph, make sure there are no unwanted objects in the frame. Also, take advantage of the best time of day and natural light. 
- Fill the frame with the detail, and use strong natural light to help get shadows, depth, and silhouettes.
- Try and get as close as possible either physically or with zoom to make sure the detail is the focus of the image. Macro mode is sometimes helpful to help get very close to the subject and capture detail. 


Door frame gate. Taken in Vicenza, Italy. June 16, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.


Cathedral. Taken in Siena, Italy. June 8, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.
San Marco. Taken in Venice, Italy. June 17, 2011. Nikon Coolpix P500.
Citations: 
(2010). Architectural Photography Tips. Retrieved from http://www.urban-


Johnson, N. 9 Architectural Photography Tips. Retrieved from http://www.digital-photography-school.com/architectural-photography


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