Architectural photos
Architectural photos are really fun to take. No one needs to smile! However there are a few tricks that will help out. Check these hints.
Look for Symmetry
Symmetry is one of the first things I check for in a building. Why? Because symmetrical compositions are incredibly eye-catching. They grab the viewer’s attention.S o where can you find symmetry in architecture? First, take a look at the building as a whole.Many buildings are designed to be symmetrical. For example, they might have a central entranceway with identical features on either side. Or the interior of the building might be laid out in a symmetrical format. You’ll also find symmetry in certain architectural features. For example, long corridors, tunnels, and archways are symmetrical by design. Staircases and escalators are also great places to capture symmetry. You might even be able to use a reflection to create symmetry in your architecture photography.
Geometric shapes
These are everywhere once you start to look for them. Shapes are perfect for creating eye-catching compositions in your architecture photography. The easiest place to find shapes is in the form of windows, doors, and archways. When you look at a building, challenge yourself to find as many shapes as possible. For architecture interior photography, search for shapes in the building’s decor and design features. Try to make the shape the focal point of your image. Eliminate anything distracting from the frame. Move closer to crop out unwanted surroundings. Try shooting from directly in front of the shape to create a symmetrical composition. Then move to one side to see whether that creates a more interesting image. You could also experiment with shooting from high and low angles. Changing your perspective will change the way the shape appears in your image.
Leading lines
These are perhaps the most exciting. Leading lines are lines that lead from the foreground into the background. The lines take the viewer on a journey through your image. They lead the eye deep into the scene. And this is what creates such an incredible sense of depth in your photos. So how do you create powerful compositions using leading lines? First, look around for any architectural lines that you could use. Are there lines on the ground? What about the walls? You’ll even find lines on the ceiling in many buildings. If you’re shooting in a long corridor, use the lines where the walls meet the floor or ceiling. Straight lines that converge into the distance are great for creating symmetrical compositions. For perfect symmetry, have the lines converge in the center of the frame. You can also look out for curved lines.
Repeating patterns
Patterns are the perfect design elements for creative architecture photography. Search for any part of the building that has repeating shapes or lines. And then compose your photo to emphasize the repetition of architectural design element. The best way to do this is to fill the entire frame with the pattern. Move closer to eliminate the surroundings. You want the whole image to be filled with the pattern. If you have an iPhone with a telephoto lens, you could zoom in to get a closer view. Simply tap the 1x icon to zoom in. The icon will change to 2x which indicates you’re using the telephoto lens.
Include people
A person adds a strong focal point to the image. People are also great for creating a sense of scale in your architecture photography. It makes it easier to convey the enormity of a building when you have a person standing next to it. To make the building seem even larger, have the person stand far away in the distance. The further away they are, the smaller they’ll appear. Having a person in your architecture photos can also add an interesting storytelling element. And this creates more compelling photos that the viewer can engage with. Plus they do not need to smile.
Here is a link to an entire page on my site with various Architectural photos.
