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Architectural photography is more than simply choosing a subject and pressing the shutter release button; it's more than simply documenting a project. An architectural photograph shows the form and appeal of a building far better than any other medium. With the advent of the digital photographic workflow, architects are discovering exciting new opportunities to present and market their work.
But to photograph architectural subjects what equipment do you need? What are the ingredients for a successful image? Why does a building look different in reality than in a photographic image? How can you improve your images in your digital darkroom? In this book you will find the answers to these questions and much more.
This book is a step-by-step guide to architectural photography both for the aspiring amateur photographer interested in architectural photography and for the professional photographer wanting to expand his skills in this domain. Moreover, architects themselves will find this book motivating and inspiring.
Adrian Schulz, both an architect and a photographer by training, uses real world projects to teach and illustrate how to:
Capture outstanding images of buildings, inside and out
Choose the right equipment and use it effectively
Compose architectural shots
Work with ambient and artificial light
Process images in an efficient workflow based on Adobe Photoshop
1 Fundamentals 1
1.1 Architectural Photography: What is it? 2
1.2 The History of Architectural Photography 2
1.2.1 Early History 2
1.2.2 The Invention 4
1.2.3 The 20th and 21st Centuries 5
1.3 The Authenticity of an Architectural Photograph 7
1.4 Manifestations of Architectural Photography 8
2 Photographic Technology 11
2.1 Comparison Between Analog and Digital 12
2.1.1 From Exposure to Picture 12
2.1.2 Film Grain vs. Digital Noise 12
2.1.3 Resolution and Range of Contrast 14
2.1.4 Image Aberrations 15
2.1.5 Consequences of Lens Quality 17
2.1.6 Ruggedness of the Camera 17
2.1.7 The Functional Life of Digital Cameras 17
2.1.8 Number of Exposures 18
2.1.9 Digital Image Processing 18
2.1.10 Authenticity and Archiving 19
2.1.11 Conclusion 19
2.2 The Camera 20
2.2.1 Types of Cameras 20
Digital Compact and Bridge Cameras 20
Digital SLR Cameras with Four-Thirds, APS-C, and APS-H Standards 21
Analog 35mm Format and Digital Full-Frame Format Cameras 24
Analog and Digital Medium Format 26
Analog Large Format 27
2.2.2 The Camera: Conclusion 28
2.3 The Lens 29
2.3.1 Focal Range 29
2.3.2 Optical Quality 30
2.4 The Ideal Camera and Lens Combination (for all wallets) 31
2.5 Accessories 32
2.5.1 Tripod 32
2.5.2 Tripod Head 33
2.5.3 Remote Shutter Release 33
2.5.4 Lens Hood 34
2.5.5 Lens Filters 35
2.5.6 Lens Adapters 36
2.5.7 Grid Screen 37
2.5.8 Memory Cards 37
2.5.9 Batteries and Rechargeables 38
2.5.10 Flash 38
2.5.11 Additional Accessories 39
2.6 Creativity Tips 39
2.6.1 Lensbabies 39
2.6.2 Black & White Negative Film 39
2.6.3 Use of Fixed Focal Lenses 40
3 Shooting Techniques 41
3.1 Hallmarksof a Good Architectural Picture 42
3.2 Architecture as a Subject 47
3.2.1 What Kind of Architecture Makes the Best Subject? 48
3.2.2 An Eye for Subjects 50
3.3 Perspective 54
3.3.1 Roles of the Vanishing Points 55
3.4 Perspective Distortion and Converging Verticals 57
3.4.1 How to Avoid Converging Verticals 58
3.4.2 How Does a Shift Lens Work? 64
3.5 Camera Position 68
3.5.1 Ideal Distance to the Building 68
3.5.2 Position and Perspective 70
3.5.3 Position and Environment 74
3.5.4 Position and Symmetry 76
3.5.5 Depth Perception 77
3.6 Focal Length 81
3.6.1 Long Focal Lengths 81
3.6.2 Very Short Focal Lengths 83
3.6.3 Expanding the View: Rectilinear Panoramas 86
3.7 Picture Format 88
3.7.1 Extreme Formats and Panoramic Images 88
3.7.2 Orientation 92
3.8 Image Frame and Composition 94
3.8.1 Composition 94
3.8.2 Image Composition and Environment 99
Stationery Surrounding Objects 100
Moving Objects 102
3.8.3 Reduced Frame 105
3.9 Shooting Parameters 107
3.9.1 Shutter Speed 107
3.9.2 Aperture 107
3.9.3 Light Sensitivity 108
3.9.4 Exposure 111
3.9.5 Exposure Bracketing for HDR and DRI Images 111
3.10 Using Lens Filters 114
3.11 Photographing Interior Spaces 117
3.11.1 Subject 117
3.11.2 Perspective and Camera Position 118
3.11.3 Focal Length 118
3.11.4 Picture Format 119
3.11.5 Image Frame and Composition 120
3.11.6 Shooting Parameters 122
3.12 Exterior Conditions and Influences 125
3.12.1 Shadows and Reflections 125
3.12.2 Weather 128
3.12.3 Time of Day 132
3.12.4 Seasons 134
3.13 Creativity Tips 136
3.13.1 Radical Frames 136
3.13.2 Looking Up 139
3.13.3 Serial Images 139
3.13.4 Extreme Reflections 140
3.13.5 Intentional Under- or Overexposure 141
3.13.6 Before-and-After Images 141
3.14 Solving Problems 142
Commentary by Marcus Bredt 144
4 Post-Processing Techniques 151
4.1 Digital Image Formats 152
4.1.1 What is RAW Format? 152
4.1.2 Difference Between RAW and JPEG Formats 152
4.1.3 Advantages of RAW Format 152
4.1.4 Disadvantages of RAW Format 155
4.1.5 Conclusion 155
4.2 RAW Conversion 157
4.2.1 Workflow 157
4.3 Post-Processing 166
4.3.1 Image Corrections 166
Workflow: Image Corrections in Photoshop 166
4.3.2 In-Depth: Selective Contrast and Brightness Corrections 183
Workflow: Selective Contrast and Brightness Corrections 183
4.4 Panoramas 186
4.4.1 Rectilinear Panorama 186
Workflow: Rectilinear Panorama with Hugin 187
Workflow: Rectilinear Panorama with Photoshop 192
4.4.2 Shift Panorama 194
Workflow: Shift Panorama with Photoshop 194
4.5 HDR and DRI Images 198
4.5.1 HDR with Photomatix Pro 198
4.5.2 Workflow: DRI with Photomatix Pro 201
4.5.3 Workflow: HDR with Photoshop 202
4.5.4 Workflow: DRI with Photoshop 204
4.6 Creativity Tips 206
4.6.1 Digital Graduated Neutral Density Filter 206
4.6.2 HDR from a Single RAW Image 207
4.6.3 Black and White Conversion in Photoshop 208
Index 210
Architectural Photography has changed greatly in the last decade. Ten years ago you would have found almost all pros shooting film with 4X4 cameras. No you see the vast majority shooting with full frame DSLRs like the Canon 5D or 1DsMarkIII using tilt/shift lenses. Also much of what was done in preproduction like wrapping lights and gelling windows is now done in layers in post production. Sadly there have been really no excellent books on this transition until this and the new Norman McGrath book came out. This is probably the best of the two from a complete instructional viewpoint.
I loaned this book to the head of the photography department of the fifth largest photography program in the US and he plans to use it for the textbook for their architectural photography course. If you are interested in this subject I recommend you get both this and Architectural Photography: Professional Techniques for Shooting Interior and Exterior Spaces
by Norman McGrath.
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Overview
Architectural photography is more than simply choosing a subject and pressing the shutter release button; it's more than simply documenting a project. An architectural photograph shows the form and appeal of a building far better than any other medium. With the advent of the digital photographic workflow, architects are discovering exciting new opportunities to present and market their work.
But to photograph architectural subjects what equipment do you need? What are the ...