The design of buildings and their sizes and details are sometimes simply amazing. Whether historical, modern, abandoned, tall or short, buildings tell something about a place and the people in that place. Photographing buildings artistically and dramatically can help you share your views on the art of architecture with others.
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Part 1 of 7: Choosing a Building
Step 1. Find buildings with unique stories
Old and new buildings all have different stories and make great photography subjects. In addition, buildings large and small can be dramatic material in the art world of architectural photography. You may want to photograph some of the most photographed buildings in the world, such as the Louvre or the Empire State Building. However, there are actually many other types of buildings that are no less interesting. Take a picture of the smallest house in your city, or a building with an unusual and different design.
Step 2. Know your rights
Be aware of the limitations that may exist in photographing the building you want. Photographing in public places (eg from the sidewalk) is usually free. However, entry into someone's home or personal property usually has certain restrictions. You may need to ask permission to take pictures if you are on private property, although the private area is open to the public, you can consider it free to take pictures. Be aware that these rights may not be the same if you are shooting outside the United States, so make sure you understand the law when you want to shoot elsewhere.
- When photographing federal buildings in the US, security personnel there may tell you not to. However, be aware that you have the right to take pictures if you do so from public places, including sidewalks, plazas, parks, and streets.
- If you are photographing a place of worship, such as a church, synagogue or mosque, respect the customs and procedures of the place.
Step 3. Study the history of the building
If the building is a historical or cultural milestone, then there should be staff who can tell more about the history of the building. They may also be able to point out the amazing and significant features of the building. If the building has been abandoned, use photography to capture the feel of the building and help people who view your photo understand how great the building was in the past.
When photographing abandoned buildings, be sensitive to conservation efforts and your own safety. There may be groups who wish to preserve part or all of the building, so make sure that you keep loose boards, materials and other elements in the same place. Also be aware that abandoned buildings can be dangerous due to peeling paint, exposed electrical wiring, or weathered floors. Be aware of these security risks
Part 2 of 7: Assembling Equipment
Step 1. Select your camera
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Use a regular camera (view and snap camera) or a cell phone camera.
An ordinary camera is practical but also limited in terms of producing versatile photographic works. This regular camera is also cheaper (although nowadays the price of DSLR cameras is more reasonable). Regular cameras are also lighter and easier to carry. This camera has a fixed lens, so you don't have to worry about deciding which lens to use or bringing an extra lens. All photos you take with this camera will be in focus. You may also have a hard time capturing light, especially if you are shooting at night.
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Use a more advanced DSLR camera.
DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras will provide greater flexibility and adaptability when photographing buildings. You can manipulate the focal point and its exposure rules. This camera has interchangeable lenses and can shoot faster. This camera is also more robust and designed to withstand various weather conditions (you can shoot in cold, hot, dusty conditions, etc.), and will last longer than a regular camera. Cameras of this type have very varied prices. Cheaper DSLR cameras cost around IDR 2,400,000-Rp 6,000,000 and more expensive ones can cost IDR 12,000,000 or more.
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Try using a 35mm film camera.
Although 35mm film cameras are becoming increasingly rare these days, photographers who are passionate about the art of photography still use them sometimes. Film cameras have greater control over exposure, with colors and the resulting light blending better. The resulting photo may also be slightly textured, which makes your photo look more natural. One of the drawbacks of this camera is the extra expense: you have to buy film, especially with 24 or 36 shots per roll, and you have to print the film.
Step 2. Choose your lens
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Use a wide angle lens.
This lens has a short focal point and a wider field of view, which is more similar to that of the human eye. A wide-angle lens can capture various buildings and landscapes in a single photo. However, it's usually blurry with slightly crooked vertical lines to ensure that everything is printed in one photo frame.
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Use a fisheye lens.
Fisheye lenses provide a wide view, with angles varying from 180 to 220 degrees. The result is an extreme depiction of the subject of your photo. This type of lens does not depict a building accurately but provides a dramatic and artistic look, especially in photographs with buildings that have symmetrical lines (half of the photo is perfectly mirrored in the other half).
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Use a telephoto lens.
Telephoto lenses allow you to shoot from a distance. This lens is useful when you want to photograph buildings, as you can be far away to see the whole building, but then you can zoom in to make sure the building is in the photo frame. This type of lens can also minimize vibrations and curves of straight lines. Telephoto lenses are very sensitive to motion, so using a tripod to stabilize the camera is essential.
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Try a tilt-shift lens.
This lens allows a photographer to manipulate depth of field and perspective. This lens moves its perspective center point away from the actual perspective center point. This results in wider photos, such as photos in panorama mode, and straightens vertical lines that are usually blurry in photos of tall subjects such as high-rise buildings. Tilt-shift lenses can also create interesting miniature effects. These lenses are usually very expensive (Rp 24,000,000-Rp 36,000,000), and you can actually achieve a similar effect using several software programs for photo editing.
Step 3. Mount your camera to a tripod
This will ensure that your image is not wobbly or blurry. A tripod is very useful when you are shooting in low light or at night. If you don't have a tripod, stabilize yourself by leaning against a tree or lamppost, or place your camera on a ledge to keep it steady.
Step 4. Bring any other necessary equipment
Be prepared with a variety of equipment that you may need. Depending on your location, you may have to prepare a few things to make a good photo. For example, if you are photographing an abandoned building, bring a flashlight. A backpack will also come in handy to help keep your gear organized and easy to grab. This bag will also keep your hands free to hold the camera.
Part 3 of 7: Setting the Shooting Time
Step 1. Consider time
The direction of the sun will affect the quality of your photos. For example, glaring sunlight in the middle of the day won't do much to emphasize the angle or space needed to produce an interesting photo. It's better to shoot in the morning when the light is natural and clear, or early in the afternoon when the atmosphere is warm and relaxing. At both times, light comes from the side so that it can emphasize the strength of a building. Early mornings may also be ideal for the reason that fewer people are walking around you. Study the aerial map of the building to determine when the sun is shining on the building. Will the sun cover the building with shadows from other buildings?
Step 2. Shoot at night
Oftentimes, some amazing buildings are lit up at night (like a Christmas tree), and they make for great photo subjects. However, be careful when leaving your camera settings on automatic mode - low light and high contrast levels can mess up your shots. The bright light will become a halo, while the dark parts will be as black as the night sky. Adjust your ISO setting to night mode. Set up sufficient exposure time to ensure the camera captures more light (you can use a camera timer or a shooting strap to reduce photo shake or blur). All types of light will appear more vivid and brighter over longer exposure times, so practice until you can determine the right setting.
Step 3. Consider the season
Photographing at different times of the year can result in different photos of buildings. Buildings may be covered in snow in winter or surrounded by leafy trees in summer. Likewise, the top of a building will be difficult to photograph on a foggy or rainy day, although this may be the effect you want to create.
Step 4. Find out what is happening on or around the building
Is the building under construction or renovation? Is there a big event going on on the day you will visit it? Things like these can be distracting moments for your photography session, but they can also potentially bring a special dimension to your photography work; You may be able to capture the unique history of the building, which isn't usually shown in typical photos.
Part 4 of 7: Choosing a Composition
Step 1. Explore the exterior and interior of the building
Take the time to look for unique angles and necessary details before you decide to focus on your photography.
Step 2. Define your perspective
When photographing tall buildings, you may point the camera upwards to make sure the entire building can be shown in the frame. This can result in a garbled photo and cause the building to look as if it is about to collapse. Correct this by shooting from a greater distance, using a camera lens such as a wide-angle lens, or correcting the distortion with photo editing software. Alternatively, focus your photo on a different element of the building; the dramatic and creative art of photography doesn't necessarily mean that you have to photograph the entire building.
Step 3. Decide what else you want to show
Look around the building: sky, other buildings, trees, or water. There may also be parked cars, trash cans, trash, birds, or pedestrians. Decide whether things would be appropriate to add or should be omitted based on the general feel you want to present. Be patient and wait for the pedestrians to leave if you don't want them in your photo.
Step 4. Determine your framing technique
Use the surrounding elements to create a frame that draws attention to the subject of your main photo: the building itself. Framing can add a level of depth and context to your photographic art. Some of the elements you can use to create a frame include windows, hallways, railings, the center point of a staircase, tree branches, or people.
Step 5. Determine your depth level
The depth level is the area of your photo that will be in focus. A shallow depth of field means that objects in the foreground will be in focus while the background will be blurred. On the other hand, a deep level of depth means that both aspects (foreground and background) will be in focus. This level of depth is controlled by the aperture of your camera lens. Set your camera to AV mode. This mode will let you control the aperture (the amount of light that can enter the lens) while the camera automatically adjusts the other controls. A greater level of depth – or a greater focus on something that is the main object of your photography art – can enhance the appearance of an architectural structure or a photo. Set the aperture to a small position (f/16 or more) to ensure the foreground and background are in sharp focus.
Step 6. Focus on the details
Take photos full of details such as gargoyle statues, interesting patterns on the walls of buildings, or other unique building features. These details can amplify the character of a building in a way that wide shots can't.
Step 7. Focus on the elements of symmetry
Emphasis on lines that reflect each other can reinforce the uniqueness and architectural design of a building.
Step 8. Use water for the reflection element
If you are shooting near water, consider photographing the shadows of buildings reflected in the water. Calm water will produce sharper shadows.
Part 5 of 7: Ensuring Good Lighting
Step 1. Shoot outdoors
Use natural sunlight to illuminate your building. Shooting early in the morning or late in the evening removes the bad effects of the midday sun and produces softer lighting to enhance the details of a building.
Step 2. Check the white balance
This check is a way to prevent color contrast from turning off. Cameras usually produce white with a hint of green, blue, or orange. DSLR cameras usually have a white balance function on the controls; check your camera manual to find and use this function. White balance can also usually be corrected with photo editing software.
Step 3. Adjust your exposure point:
The length of this dot will determine how light or dark your photo will be. Adjusting the light can fix overexposure (too much light in a photo, resulting in a blinding appearance) or underexposure (not enough light, resulting in a photo that is too dark). DSLR cameras usually have a metering function that will help fix this problem. Point your camera at the subject of your main photo and make sure the light meter is at 0. If the meter is to the left of the 0, then your photo will be underexposure. On the other hand, if the gauge is pointing to the right of 0, then your photo will be overexposure.
Step 4. Check your camera histogram
Histogram is a feature on DSLR cameras that displays a mathematical graph of the exposure level of a photo. The histogram displays all the pixels and their brightness and is useful for determining if some areas of the photo are too light or dark. Histograms are especially useful when you are photographing a white building.[6]
Part 6 of 7: Taking the Photoshoot
Step 1. Be patient and double check your subject and settings
Wait for the birds or pedestrians to leave the frame before you shoot. Make sure you have the correct aperture, focus, and exposure settings. Take a deep breath and press the camera button.
Step 2. Review your photos
Look on the camera's LCD screen to do this. Adjust the settings, lighting, and framing, then take a few more photos while making the necessary adjustments each step of the way.
Step 3. Remember your settings
Write down your camera settings and lighting conditions in a small notebook so you can see how different settings produce different effects.
Step 4. Don't be afraid to experiment
Some of the most amazing photos ever taken are the result of chance.
Part 7 of 7: Editing Your Photos
Step 1. Choose your best photos
Get rid of the resentment, select only your best photos and put the rest in another folder on your computer. Choose photos that tell the most compelling stories, have the best composition and lighting, and convey something important about the building you're shooting.
Step 2. Make adjustments
Use photo editing software to correct imperfections in your photos, such as to remove a pedestrian accidentally caught on camera or a heavy construction tool in the background that cannot be removed. Unnecessary distortion can also be corrected to some extent with a photo editing program. This program can help straighten some curved lines by straightening the photo to produce truer vertical or horizontal lines. Although PhotoShop is the standard and most popular photo editing software, it is expensive. There are other, less expensive – even free – options for digitally adjusting images. Search the internet for keywords like “free photo editing software” for a number of options and recommendations.
Step 3. Ask for input
Ask other photographers to critique your photos. You can even ask the opinion of ordinary people (not photographers) for input on the most eye-catching or touching elements of a photo.
