Architectural Photography

Presented by Brett Hitchins

Professional Photographer of Canada
March 31st, 2015

Background
Landscape Architecture Graduate
University of Guelph, currently working at Sharp & Diamond
Professional Photographer of Canada
National Accreditation in Scenic / Pictorial and Night Photography
Brett Ryan Studios
In 2013 founded Brett Ryan Studios, a Vancouver based photography company
specializing in landscape architectural, and architectural photography.

Outline
Intro to Architectural Photography

Julius Shulmen, Henri-Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams

Fundamentals of Photography

exposure, aperature, shutter speed, composition

Architectural Photography Principles

perspective control, time of day, scale, context, mood, people

Photography Gear

cameras, lenses, PC / Title shift, lighting, accessories

Portfolio

Quick Objectives
Intro to architectural photography
As landscape architects its important to understand the basics of architectural photography and build a
skill set to be able to discuss images in a professional manner with photographers, architects, and clients

Build visual literacy

How do we interpret, negotiate, and draw meaning from the images we deal with, and how do
we make better images ourselves?

Help improve everyday photos

Whether it be portfolio imagery, site photos, travel, etc.

Architectural Photography

Architectural photography at its

best will convey the experience of
built environment.
PHILIP GREENSPUN

Ansel Adams
An American landscape photographer and environmentalist
known widely for his black & white photographs of Yosemite National Park

images via google

Julius Shulman
Prominent American architectural photographer 1936-2009
photographed architecture across California and USA, including many Frank Lloyd Wright

images via google

Henri Cartier-Bresson
French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism
known for coining the term Decisive Moment

images via google

Landscape Architecture Photography

is at the intersection of architectural photography, landscape photography,
and photojournalism

Julis Shulman

Ansel Adams
images via google

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Fundamentals of Photography

Photography
greek meaning writing with light
What is the story an image is trying to tell?

Basic Concepts of Photography

Photography is the science, art and practice of creating durable images by recording light.
Photography literally means writing with light.
Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light used to create a photo
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the amount of time an exposure is created
Aperature
Aperature is the diameter of the path of light allowed into an exposure

Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light used to create a photo
The goal is to find the optimal balance of highlights, midtones, and shadows
Generally an image should have a pure white highlight and
a pure black shadow

Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the amount of time an exposure is created
A quick shutter speed will freeze movement
A slow shutter speed will blur movement

Aperature
Aperature is the diameter of the path of light allowed into
an exposure
A narrow aperature eg. F16 will slowly let light in, and create
sharpness throughout the entire image
A wide aperature eg. F2 will quickly let light in, and minimize
sharpness throughout the entire image

images via google

Basic Compostion
Composition is the intentional placement of visual information within the camera frame
Rule of Thirds
Breaks down a frame into thirds creating 9 portions
Leading Lines
Leading lines create visual paths that direct the viewers eye to the image focal point

Subject

Key Information

Subject

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Architectural Photography Principles

Key Tips for Architectural Photography

Perspective Control
Keep all vertical lines straight, do not distort perspective
Time of Day
Shoot in early morning before sunrise or after sunset to maximize interest and soften contrast

Other Principles
Find patterns, reflections, tell a storey, include people, convey mood, include context, consider black & white

Without Perspective Control

With Perspective Control

Without Perspective Control

With Perspective Control

images via google

Without Perspective Control

perspective control

perspective control

With Perspective Control

Architectural Publications
cover shots typically have perfectly linear lines

images via google

Architectural Publications
cover shots almost always have perfectly linear lines

images via google

perspective control

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perspective control

perspective control

perspective control

perspective control

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perspective control

perspective control

Time of Day
best exterior architectural photography typically comes at night,
photographers can create dynamic images lighting

Twilight
best exterior architectural photography typically comes at night,
photographers can create dynamic images lighting

image via google

Time of Day:

3:15, summer mid-day

Time of Day:
distracting
reections

3:15, summer mid-day

Image lacks drama

sharp contrast
tonal range on
path is at

dark and
univiting entry
lighting / bollards,
unseen

Time of Day:
30 mins after sunset

Time of Day:
30 mins after sunset

oce lights suggest animation

within the building

shadows and light

lighting / bollards
showcased
entry becomes
focal point

Dynamic colour
softer shadows

Scale
Scale allows the viewer to understand the relationship
between the building and the built environment

human element
allows viewer to identify
scale

Find Patterns
As designers we use patterns and repition to convey our design intent and
ideas. Emphazise patterns and repition by shooting with a longer focal
length to compress the information within an image.

Look for Reflections

Reflections add a dynamic and create element to images, emphasizing the buildings symmetry, colours, textures, and forms.

Convey Mood
The mood of the image should aim to reflect the purpose of
the architecture or space.

Communicate Context
Context is always important in landscape. When it comes to
whether to include it in architectural imagery, ask whether or not
it adds to or detracts from the image.

Include People
The inclusion of people is one way in which landscape
architectural photography differs from architectural photography,
fundamentally we design places for people.

Tell a Story
Select your frame in a manner that allows the viewer to
read parts of an photograph as they would a story.

Consider Black & White

Black and white has a simplicity that can directly communicate
building massing, textures, and patterns among other elements.

Tone & Communication

Same Perspective

Same Scale

Same Information

New Perspecpective
Wide Focal Length, Large DoF

Detail Shot

Long Focal Length, Shallow DoF

Spatial Shot

Mid-Focal Length, Large DoF

Same Information
Fails to communicate user experience
Lacks context

Shift in vantage point communicates more

of the shore restoration work

People help us to
understand the experience

Long Focal Length

Emphasizes Views to Mountains

Long Focal Length Emphasizes Skyline

Shallow DoF Highlights the Project

Gear at a Glance

Camera Types
DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras are the main bodies used in architectural imagery
understand crop frame vs full frame

images via google

Lenses
lens focal length affects the compression and distortion of an image

Wide Angle

Telephoto

images via google

Tilt Shift Lenses

titlt lenses control perspective distoration
shift lenses control panoramic distoration

images via google

Shift Lens
shift lenses control panoramic distoration

Tilt Lens
tilt lenses control perspective distoration

Accessories
Key architectural photography accessories include tripod, shutter release
cable, lense filters, and lighting setups

images via google

Post-Production Software
Lightroom is the industry leading editing software, shoot RAW to
maximize editing possibilities

images via google

Portfolio Images

Summary
architectural photography
visual literacy
improve everyday images

Architectural Photography
Presented by Brett Hitchins
Professional Photographer of Canada
March 31st, 2015