Architectural photography is the photographing of buildings and similar structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and accurate representations of their subjects. Architectural photographers, are usually skilled in the use of specialized techniques and equipment.
Throughout the history of photography, buildings have been
highly valued photographic subjects, mirroring society's appreciation for
architecture and its cultural significance. By the 1860s, architectural
photography started to become an established visual medium.
Much as building designs changed and broke with traditional
forms, architectural photography also evolved. During the early-to-mid-20th
century, architectural photography became more creative as photographers used
diagonal lines and bold shadows in their compositions, and experimented with
other techniques.
By the early 1950s, architects were hiring more
photographers for commissioned work, resulting in architectural photography
being viewed as more of an art form.
Techniques
A tenet of architectural photography is the use of
controlled perspective, with an emphasis on vertical lines that are
non-converging (parallel). This is achieved by positioning the focal plane of
the camera at so that it is perpendicular to the ground, regardless of the
elevation of the camera eye. This result can be achieved by the use of view
cameras, tilt/shift lenses, or post-processing.
Traditionally, view cameras have been used for architectural
photography as they allow for the lens to be tilted or shifted relative to the
film plane. This allows for control of perspective, as well as a variety of
creative possibilities.
In a similar fashion to landscape photography, a deep depth
of field is usually employed so that both the foreground and background (to
infinity) are in sharp focus.
More recently, digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras
have been used in the field of architectural photography. These cameras also
employ detachable, tilt-shift lenses of varying (usually fixed) focal lengths.
Exterior and interior
Architectural photography is typically created from either
the exterior views of buildings, or in the interior of buildings. The
techniques used in each of these types of photography are similar, but do have
some difference and sometimes require different equipment.
Exterior
Exterior architectural photography usually takes advantage
of available daylight, or if performed at night, uses ambient light from
adjacent street lights, landscape lights, exterior building lights, moonlight
and even twilight present in the sky in all but the darkest situations.
In many cases, the landscaping surrounding a building is
important to the overall composition of a photograph, and even necessary to
communicate the aesthetic harmony of a building and its environment. An
architectural photographer will often include flowers, trees, fountains or
statues in the foreground of a composition, taking advantage of their ability
to help lead the eye into the composition and to its main subject, the
building.
Interior
Interior architectural photography can also be performed
with ambient light transmitted through windows and skylights, as well as
interior lighting fixtures. Frequently though, architectural photographers will
use supplemental lighting to improve the illumination within a building. Either
electronic flash "strobes" or incandescent "hot lights" can
be used.
Early architectural style photograph by William Henry Fox
Talbot, c. 1845
Images of modern architectural photography
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