Enter the amazing world of architecture photography. From contemporary cityscapes to historical landmarks, there are a myriad of ways to capture wonderful works of architecture. Look beyond the still nature of buildings and attempt to find the motion and movement in your subject because it’s all about finding the right perspective to make your subject sing.

Equipping yourself

When it comes to photographing architecture, there are several kinds of lenses you can go for, with each lending itself to a different benefit.

Telephoto lenses are often the go-to choice for architecture photographers. They allow you to get amongst a building’s façade and really focus in on intricate details. A wide-angle lens will allow you to capture the bigger picture, granting you more of the building’s structure. Wide-angles are also a great way of giving a building more context with its surrounding elements. A fish-eye lens can be used to convey sheer size, and also adds an extra touch of creativity to your shot.

Ultimately, the choice of lens depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Experiment and discover which works best for you.

Seek and you shall find

While some may see these grand inanimate structures as dull, there are those who know how to bring out the best. A good tip is to always be on the lookout for intriguing patterns. Use these to your advantage and play around with them to create motion in your shot. As a photographer, you should embrace different textures to give life to your images. To get the most of out of these patterns and features, use a zoom lens like the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S. Fill the frame and let the symmetry, texture and patterns do the talking. Seek out interesting areas of contrast that will draw in the eye of the viewer.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

Another interesting subject on many modern buildings are mirrors. Mirrors and other reflective surfaces open the door to new realms of photography. They give us the opportunity to capture wonderful shots full of symmetry and contrast. For example, using a building’s mirrored façade to capture creative shots of the sky, or even other buildings in the reflection.

Finding the right perspective

The key to architecture photography is to look beyond the surface for interesting perspectives. For example, leading lines give a dull two-dimensional image a wonderful amount of depth. By using these lines, you create a visual pathway for your viewer to follow. The converging lines add a layer of creativity and give a sense of infinity to your shot.

Light the way

As with all photography, light is always an important factor, and more so in architecture. Be sure to take the direction of light into account when capturing a composition. The direction can help increase contrast, shadows, textures and reflections.

Be wary as high levels of contrast can trick your camera’s sensor into exposing the scene incorrectly. If you are shooting on a particularly sunny day, consider using an ND filter to avoid your shots from being blown out.  Likewise, shooting at dusk or night time is another gateway to some truly magnificent shots. Shooting at dusk will give your buildings a beautiful splash of colour, while at night, you will be able to make use of artificial lights to bring your composition to life.

Discover the magnificent wonders of architecture through photography.