Architecture surrounds us in just about every day of our lives and so it’s no wonder that it’s long been a favorite subject of photographers. Usually when people hear the term Architecture they generally think of buildings. But with so much diversity in the built environment, anything ranging from a bus stop to a massive skyscraper, can be said to be Architecture. Every structure portrays a different feeling or emotion that is constantly changing with the times. With everything always changing, architecture photography serves as the perfect medium to capture structures as they currently are.  Here are some of my favorite architecture photography tips/topics as it relates to the built environment:

Context

Every structure has a context and while there are no hard and fast rules, often times its best to include the surroundings when photographing. People seem to have a tough time getting oriented when just shown a structure without seeing the context first. But having said that, there are times when a structure doesn't fit within the context and for the sake of clarity it makes sense to exclude the context from the viewer. Take for instance the barn below, as it wouldn't be the same if it didn't include the large expanse of farmland and background mountains.

Style

There are many different ways of capturing a scene but being creative is a necessity. While taking more of a journalistic approach has its uses, it makes sense to be more creative when dealing with designed structures. The majority of structures were designed in a way to have a pleasing effect on the eye and capturing it through the camera can help reinforce that idea. One of the biggest issues people have with capturing something creative is by not trying new and different angles.

Historic

When dealing with historic structures its often hard to know what exactly the intent or reason behind a certain structure was. As we peer into the past, we often romanticize our history and such capture it that way. It it those emotions associated with historic structures that makes it one of the most popular subjects today in photography. Probably the best tip when it comes to photographing something historic is to eliminate any traces of contemporary life. That way the image will be separated from the current era and the viewer is free to imagine a different time.

Modern

Contemporary structures are often easier to capture because unlike historic structures we actually know the intent and reasoning behind them. That is due to the fact that the history tied to them are much more well known and we also have the ability to ask the architect what their design intent was. Knowing more of the story attached to a structure, allows us to capture it in a more complete way.

Details

While getting an overall image of a structure is a necessity, focusing on the details helps paint an even clearer picture. Details could be anything from a certain light fixture to that of a unique connection. It is often said that "The beauty is in the details" and it is most certainly true when dealing with photography and architecture. Some of the best detail shots are those that create its own story and exemplifies a strong connection to the overall structure/design.

Exterior

When photographing the exterior of a structure the best time to capture the magic is at dusk. With all the interior/exterior lights turned on, the outside ambient light will match that of the interior. Allowing for a photograph that is even and doesn't show just black for the interior or exterior (which would happen before and after dusk). Of course one could always utilize external artificial lights after it gets dark but many times that creates a very unnatural image.

Interior

There are many different things one needs to take into account when photographing interiors. But by far the most important thing is the use of wide-angle lenses. As we experience a space we unknowingly use our peripheral vision to gather in a wider view than that of a fixed camera. Bringing in more of the space with a wide-angle always creates a more inviting image and something closer to reality. Aside from the lens it is a great idea to show the connections between spaces both inside and outside.

People

The topic of whether to include people or not in a scene often comes down to how we view the structure. Most architects and designers seem to prefer images where the design shines and so people are omitted. While others want to give the structure more of a personal feel so they decide to include people. Aside from making it more relatable, including a person in the scene helps bring a sense of scale to the image. Its really just a matter of preference but if one chooses to include a person, their inclusion should add to the scene rather than detract from it.