Tips
1. Be sensitive to the direction of light as this can increase contrast, shadows, textures and reflections. High levels of contrast can fool cameras into exposing the scene incorrectly, but shooters can easily overcome this by applying exposure compensation. Another trick is to bracket shots at different exposure values (exposing one for the highlights, one for the midtones and one for the shadows) and later merge them in a dedicated HDR program (such as Photomatix).
8. The average building is far taller than the tallest photographer so there will inevitably be some element of distortion in an architectural photo, but this can be employed to create a source of tension within the frame. Simply position yourself as near to the base of the building as possible and shoot straight up. If playing with perspective isn’t for you then stand further back and add a sense of scale to your image by incorporating everyday objects such as people, trees, transport and benches, etc. To retain detail throughout the scene plump for a small aperture (large f stop) such as f14, alternatively try throwing out the sharpness of either the foreground or background by choosing a large aperture (small f stop).
Watch the Shadows
Before color, Hollywood directors and cinematographers worked carefully to cast interesting shadows into scenes. Here are some examples of images where shadows set the mood.
Favorite photos
1. I chose this photos because I thought it was an interesting photo that showed the unique architecture of the buildings. I like the angle and the reflections from the building the best.
2. The lighting is coming from the right top corner behind the circular building. I think it was shot in the morning because the sun is on the side and not straight up. The sun is the light source. I would use the sun just like this photo to add shadowing.
3. The angle is look up tom being at the bottom of the building and under the circular building. The photographer had to get under the circle building and in front of the main building to look up at it and still get the framing. If you wanted to focus just on the main building you could have gotten right under it and looked up.
4. The circular building acts as a frame to focus your eye on the other building. The photographer also used an interesting angle. A photographer ca n use another building to frame up a photo and get under or above to get interesting angles. They can also use rule of thirds by positioning the main focal point in an intersecting point.
1. I chose this photo because it was eye catching and different. Im not sure if the photographer use an extreme wide angle or put together multiple images but either way it is really cool and unique.
2. The lighting is coming from the building and street lights. It is shot during the night but there is enough other light to take a good photo. If I had to take a photo in this area i would try it during the day but also try it at night and hope there is enough night life activity to have enough lighting.
3. The photographer must have put the camera on the ground and shot up to get the extreme angle. This photo is a little confusing to me because it is so different and I have never seen something like this. The angle is so different and it is such an extreme wide angle that it really shows what the city is like. I think if you were going for a look of the entire city then I wouldn't change the angle but there is other ways to get photos in the city.
4. There is different viewpoint and symmetry. You can get the traditional rules by changing your angle and shooting in repetitious areas.
1. I picked this photo because I really like the repetitions and the feeling of it never ending is really cool. They took a very simple place and took the photo in way that makes it really cool and unique.
2. The lighting is very subtle and helps create the feeling of never ending and it a little scary. The lighting is coming out of every floor from the ceilings. The lighting is perfect for the type of photo they created.
3. The photographer was on a higher floor looking down. The photographer probably got up high on the top floor in order to look down and get all of the circle. I think this is a very cool angle but you could try from the bottom but you wouldn't get the pretty floor tiles or railing. If you were superman you could fly above the circle and shoot down to get the entire circle from the middle.
4. There is repetition that again creates the feeling of the floors never ending.
1. I chose this photo because it tells a story and everything in the photo is linked together. The women's dress is really pretty and adds a pop of color to draw your eye in.
2. The lighting is coming from behind the photographer but it very soft light It is gold which goes with the gold colors and ornate design of the building. I really like the light used.
3. The angle was straight on but its for a surpass. They didn't try to take it from an interesting angle but they let the building be interesting on its own. I think you could have tried different angles but they might not have looked as good because this photo is really good with the angle straight on.
4. There is symmetry. The traditional rules can be used for architecture to add to the photo and make them more interesting.
Austin architecture-
Capitol building, Bob Bullock museum, downtown, UT, and the sculpture garden
Equipment-
A tilt shift lens is a lens that attaches to the camera but can move around without moving the camera body.
tripod, filters, lens
