A building , is a building is a building , or is it ?
Everyday we see buildings , when we go into the city , or even town , we see building s, small and tall ones . Sometimes we see the odd photo here and there . But let me try and help you look for the most interesting and awesome ways to take Architectural photos.
Architecture can be boring . , so its up to you to make it look awesome.
You don’t have to take a photo of the whole building .
That’s right , we don’t have to see the whole building to know its a building ,so select a small part of the building. Something that catches your eye. I always question myself. I see an open window on a building , then I ask myself , why is it interesting ?, why did it catch my eye ? Was it because I don’t often see open windows on tall buildings in the city ? Is it because the curtains are blowing out of the window ?
Now I have to think , most times I am at street level , how do i get an interesting picture of that open window?
A small unusual point of interest can change the whole feel of a photo.
An open window always gives a sense of mystery and voyeuristic nautiness. You eye is immediately drawn to that open window , you know its not very polite to look in the window but you can help it. Its definitely a subconscious thing . A friend pointed out to me , that 3 out of every 5 of my Glass Cladded Tall buildings all had a window open. I went back and looked at my facebook posts over 10 years and I was shocked. There was an open window here , one there . And I didnt even realize i was doing it.
Look for that Unique view.
Sometimes I take a photo of a building , the standard boring , everyone has done it photo. I will then find a shady spot nearby , and then look at the photo and think. Now how can I make this boring building look like its from another planet? Lighting. - Yes , most Definitely - Some of the best times to take beautiful photos of buildings are in the very early hours of the morning, As the light starts to force the night skies to the other side of the planet. The Street lights , and buildings lights are ussal still on , The sky starts to Brighten , and there is this special time , some call it the Golden Hour , I call it “OMYGOSHLOOKATTHELIGHT”. The buildings take on a soft glow , windows reflect pink skies… But even MID day with the hard blue skies , and strong shadows. You can still make building stand out. Think Powerful , Majestic. And dont forget my favorite , what you call Bad weather , I call brilliant photos coming up. Fog , Mist , Smog , Rain , snow , they all create some wonderful and very interesting lighting conditions around buildings.
The Human Element
I constantly look at the buildings around me for people. On the buildings , looking out windows , on the streets looking up at buildings. We relate to people so much easier , when we see a photo of people , we can relate , so we immediately feel a sort of kinship. The other interesting thing that people in Architectural Photos does is give the viewer an instant reference to the size of things around those people. We can judge immediately how tall the building is , How large nearby windows are ect. People also give a great sense of surprise. In the photo above , most people quickly look over the photo , and only when they notice the people right in the centre do they stop and go . Ohh Cool. So be quick to spot people on buildings , as as quick as you see them , they are gone
Make the Ugly Beautiful
To make an ugly fly over , grey and dirty look fresh and unique and even quirky , just takes a little bit of maneuvering. If i spot something interesting , I can often be seen walking forwards and backwards , I look up , I bend over , I go to the other side of the road , I look again , I twist and turn , I look in the reflection of Other buildings windows , Puddles , windscreens. I want Unique , fun and interesting . So Use your imagination …
I have a small pray that I always say when I head into the city. Its not really a pray , But It goes like this.
Thank you beautiful city , keep me safe , warn me of danger
Thank you growing and evolving city , allow me to see your hidden side.
Thank you stunning protective buildings , let me show the world a side of you that not many will have seen
Thank you for all the interesting and wonderful scenes you will be showing me
And let me be quick enough and alert enough to capture your sly sense of humor.
Thank you city.
