Rule Number 1 in Architectural Photography – Light it Right

One of the most important aspects of photography is lighting. It is true both indoors and outdoors but has particular application for architectural photography. When shooting a building most property managers assume the photographer will come out on a nice day, set up, take pictures and that is the end of it. Not quite. A commonly overlooked fact is that during the course of a day light shifts around a building and therefore to do it right so must the photographer.

Some shoot all sides of a building at the same time but there is a big downside. Photographing all sides at once means one side may look great but the rest can be sub-par. Take an east/west facing building – a morning shot of the front will be bathed in light but leaves the back in shadows. Retouching and Photoshopping can help but the presence of distinct shadows will limit the degree of effectiveness. The bottom line is that shots taken at the right time will look the most authentic and be the most visually impactful. The only effective solution is for the photographer to shoot a building at different times of the day to capture optimal sunlight on each side.

Case Study

Let’s take a look at a recent shoot – the new Lexington Visitors Center. I photographed the building at three different times to capture the best light for my client.

Morning – Back

The first series of shots were taken early morning to capture this side of the building in full sunlight.

Afternoon – front

I returned in the afternoon to capture the west facing front of the building in full sunlight (during the morning shoot this side of the building was dark and in shadow)

Evening – Magic Hour

I then returned a third time, in the evening, just after sunset to capture an additional lighting scenario – the time of day photographers refer to as “magic hour” where you have the perfect mix of ambient and artificial light.

Interiors

Yes, time of day definitely matters with interior shots. A staged interior is best shot with photographer lighting to draw your eye toward the staging and room architecture.  Conversely an empty or sparsely furnished room can benefit from strong sunlight to create “window graphics” on the empty floor. You can see an example below in the Visitors Center. The light pattern on the floor clearly adds interest and helps to fill the room. I had to be there at exactly the right time to capture the incoming light and place the window graphic where I wanted it on the floor. Think about that same picture without the window graphic – it would look flat and empty.

 Surrounding Structures

We don’t tend to think about surrounding structures or trees until we set out to photograph a building  then realize they are stealing its light. We need to factor not only the sun’s position in the sky but also where and when shadows fall onto our subject building. Not too long ago I was asked to photograph Old City Hall in Boston. A commanding structure when it was built it is now dwarfed by much taller office buildings making the shot difficult as it falls in their shadows. In this case pre-shoot planning was critical as I had to observe the interplay of light and shadows throughout the day before I could determine an optimal time for the shoot.

 In some urban environments or situations such as time of year you need go to plan B – recognizing a daylight shot may not be your best option. In that case a twilight “magic hour” solution may be the best option. This can also be a good solution when, in the case of office buildings for example, you want them looking occupied. Later in the fall and particularly with the arrival of daylight savings time buildings are fully occupied at twilight (with current COVID exceptions) and all the lights are on. This can make for a great photo.

Light it Right

Shooting each aspect of a building in the correct light is imperative for quality architectural photography. That may mean coming back to the shoot different times throughout the day – or even on different days because of Mother Nature’s fickleness.

Preplanning is a critical element – it is important to scout the location for time of day, presence of surrounding structures and planning for contingencies. Also consider time of year and leave time in your due dates for potential weather delays.

When you are considering architectural photography make sure you remember that as light shifts around a building so must the photographer. (At Shupe Studios we gang our hours to enable this benefit in every project we undertake.)

Impressive pictures of your property are integral to successful marketing. Attention to detail, planning, and proper lighting pay big dividends. A myriad of things go into successful photography but when you think about architectural photography don’t forget rule number one - light it right.

Don’t Wait Until Spring – the Advantages of Fall Photography

Fall is a terrific time of year to shoot landscapes and building exteriors. Plants have recovered from the intense summer heat and landscapes are at their best. Building construction tends to finish in the fall so you will be shooting completed projects while everything is new and fresh, with easy access to the premises. Importantly this year’s projects can be photographed and utilized for marketing purposes during winter and spring.

Green Landscape

Once September arrives plants have had a full growing season behind them and have recovered from summer dryness. Lawns are greener, plants look healthier and the landscape is more lush. If your intent is to make the best impression these are important considerations.

The Business Cycle

Often, project exteriors are completed in the fall while interiors will be finished over the winter. Taking fall shots of a building exterior allows you to make it appear farther along than maybe it is and provides the opportunity to merchandise a project in advance. A good example is apartment buildings or condo complexes where you will be pre-selling prior to project completion. Photos go a long way toward helping people visualize your project, making for an easier sell. By combining shots of a building with the surrounding area we can create an excellent presentation even if things are still under construction.

Dramatic Light

Less moisture in the air means cleaner crisper shots and more vibrant color. Lighting is also a consideration. During summer the sun is higher in the sky and more intense. There are fewer shadows and less contrast so midday photography can be a little harsh on landscapes and buildings. The addition of shadows, contrast and dappled light adds great dimension to your photos. For those needing twilight shots of buildings (magic hour) the shorter days of fall generally prove advantageous.

Fall Foliage – or Not

Landscape photography in the fall doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to include fall foliage. The great thing about fall is that you can get the best of both worlds – a nice summer feel or a colorful fall foliage scene. Your subject matter and the purpose of the photo will be the guiding factor. For example, a college campus with fall foliage says back to school and makes a lot of sense to the target audience. Conversely you may want a residential shot to convey the entirety of the outdoor season so a summertime feel is most appropriate.  Fall photography affords both.

Don’t Wait Until Spring

It’s often tempting to wait until spring but there are downsides:

· Late spring photography means you can’t show off what you did last year. That is particularly important when considering the winter / spring selling period in your marketing and project bidding.

· Early spring photography can be difficult for landscapes as plants need to leaf out and lawns must recover from snow cover damage before shooting.

· Wet spring weather can create scheduling problems for outdoor photography combined with the fact that it is frequently difficult to get back on-site months after completion.

If you have completed or nearly completed projects give shooting this fall strong consideration. Your marketing collateral, website and sales materials will show a property at its best. The landscape will be pristine and fresh just the way you want it and importantly you will be ahead of the curve – showing your most recent projects now vs. later.

Here at ShupeStudios we’re experts in architectural photography, both residential and commercial. We have years of experience shooting building interiors and exteriors – including landscapes. Want to get a head start on next year – give me a call and let’s discuss fall photography.