Architectural Photography: 7 Tips for Capturing the Best Shots of Buildings

Architecture photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing buildings, structures, and other man-made objects.

These 7 tips are going to help you improve your own architecture photography and get your best ever photos of the built environment.

Pay Attention to the Lighting

The right lighting can make a huge difference in architecture photography. 

Pay attention to the direction of the light and how it affects the building’s appearance.

Experiment by shooting during the golden hour (the first and last hour of daylight) to capture warm, soft lighting which will bring out the details of the building.

Use a Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens can help you capture the entire building in one shot and they typically have focal lengths of 24mm or less. 

As you go wider, be careful not to distort the perspective too much.

It’s important to ensure that vertical lines remain straight when photographing architecture.

This can be achieved by keeping the camera level and using a tilt-shift lens if necessary.

The 24mm TS-E is a great addition to any architecture photographers kit bag.

If you don’t have a tilt-shift lens, you can correct perspective distortion in post-processing but be aware you will lose the edges of the photograph.

It’s important to choose the right focal length for the specific architecture you are photographing. 

You may just need to move back or find a higher vantage point to fit the entire building in the frame rather than using a wider lens so experiment with different focal lengths to find the one that works best for the building you are photographing.

Sometimes, just taking a step back to fit the whole building in is better than changing your lens.

Look For Interesting Angles and Perspectives

Architecture can be very geometric, so try to find ways to create dynamic compositions. Look for patterns, lines, and shapes that will draw the viewer’s eye into the image.

Consider the building’s surroundings and how they can be used to enhance the composition of the photograph.

Using leading lines is a great way to draw a viewer’s eye through an image so look out for lines you can use to your advantage.

Using leading lines or interesting shapes is a great way to guide a viewer around an image.

Pay Attention to the Details

Architecture is often full of intricate details that can make for great close-up shots. Look for interesting patterns, textures, and materials to capture in your photos.

While capturing the entire building in the frame is important, it’s also important to look for interesting details and textures that can add visual interest to the photograph. 

Look for patterns, textures, and other details that can help tell the story of the building, having a telephoto lens in your bag is great for this!

Be Patient 

Architecture photography can require a lot of patience. 

Sometimes you’ll need to wait for the right light, or for people to move out of the frame. 

Don’t rush your shots, take your time and make sure you’re capturing the image you and your client want.

Keep Your Camera Steady

When shooting architecture, you’ll often be using a longer shutter speed to capture the details of the building. 

To avoid blurry images, use a tripod or rest your camera on a stable surface.

A solid tripod is a great purchase for any photographer.

Edit Your Photos 

Post-processing can help you bring out the best in your architecture photos. 

Used subjectively, adjusting the exposure, contrast, and sharpness to make the details pop and create a mood that matches the building’s character.

Editing programmes such as Adobe Photoshop are great for putting the finishing touches to your images.

That’s my 7 tips for architectural photography to help you take your best ever picture of buildings.

If you’ve got any tips, please put them in the comments below.