Architecture Photography Practice Assignment - Free Lesson

Architecture Photography

Architecture photography focuses on capturing the aesthetic and functional aspects of buildings and structures. It combines technical precision with artistic vision to convey the character and story behind architectural designs.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the principles of composition specific to architecture photography.
  • Master the use of light and shadow to enhance architectural features.
  • Develop skills in using camera settings effectively for architecture photography.

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Before You Shoot

  • Scout locations to identify interesting architectural features and compositions.
  • Check the weather forecast to plan for optimal lighting conditions.
  • Prepare your gear, ensuring your camera battery is charged and memory cards are empty.
  • Research architectural styles and elements to focus on during your shoot.
  • Plan your shooting schedule around the golden hour for softer light.

The Assignment

Technical Focus

  • Use a wide-angle lens (e.g., 16-35mm) at f/8, 1/125s, ISO 100 in manual mode to capture expansive cityscapes with minimal distortion.
  • Shoot in aperture priority mode at f/11, 1/60s, ISO 200 to achieve a deep depth of field for detailed architectural shots.
  • Utilize a tripod to stabilize your camera for long exposure shots at f/16, 15s, ISO 100 to capture light trails from moving vehicles near buildings.
  • Set your camera to manual focus to ensure sharpness on key architectural features, using f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 400.
  • Experiment with HDR photography by taking three bracketed shots at f/8, 1/30s, ISO 100 to balance highlights and shadows in high-contrast scenes.

Creative Focus

  • Incorporate leading lines to draw the viewer's eye towards the building's focal point.
  • Use reflections in glass surfaces or water to create dynamic compositions.
  • Capture architectural details (like doorways or windows) to tell a story about the building's history.
  • Experiment with different angles and perspectives to present unique views of familiar structures.
  • Include human elements in your shots to provide scale and context to the architecture.

Assignment Tasks

  1. Photograph a local skyscraper at dusk using f/8, 1/60s, ISO 200 in manual mode to capture the building illuminated against the twilight sky.
  2. Take close-up shots of architectural details like door handles or stone carvings at f/4, 1/125s, ISO 400 to emphasize textures.
  3. Shoot a historic building during the golden hour at f/11, 1/30s, ISO 100 in aperture priority mode to enhance warm lighting.
  4. Capture a series of images of a modern building from various angles using f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 200 to showcase its design elements.
  5. Create a panoramic shot of a city skyline at f/8, 1/15s, ISO 100 on a tripod to ensure stability and clarity.
  6. Document the construction phase of a building at f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 400 to highlight the process and materials used.

💡 Stretch Tasks

  • Create a time-lapse video of a building from sunrise to sunset, adjusting settings to maintain consistent exposure.
  • Experiment with night photography by capturing illuminated buildings at f/2.8, 10s, ISO 800 to explore low-light conditions.

DO / DON'T

DO

  • ✓ Do use a tripod for stability in low-light conditions.
  • ✓ Do experiment with different times of day to capture varying light conditions.
  • ✓ Do pay attention to your composition and framing before taking the shot.
  • ✓ Do take multiple shots of the same scene with different settings to explore options.
  • ✓ Do engage with the environment by incorporating people or movement in your images.

DON'T

  • ✗ Don't rely solely on automatic settings; learn to use manual controls for better results.
  • ✗ Don't shoot in harsh midday light without considering shadows; aim for softer light.
  • ✗ Don't forget to check your camera settings before starting your shoot.
  • ✗ Don't ignore the background; ensure it complements the architectural subject.
  • ✗ Don't rush your shots; take time to find the best angles and compositions.

Reflection Questions

  • What challenges did you face while shooting architecture, and how did you overcome them?
  • How did different lighting conditions affect the mood of your architectural photographs?
  • What composition techniques worked best for you in capturing architectural details?
  • In what ways did including people in your shots change the narrative of your images?

📚 Related Reading

Before you start, read these related blog posts to deepen your understanding:

For Foundation Plus members: Submit 3 images from this assignment for personalised feedback in your next Zoom session. You should upload to the shared Dropbox folder - link provided by Alan when you joined Foundation Plus.

Alan RangerGenre-Specific