Architecture photography tips

Are you fascinated by the lines, shapes and textures of buildings? We completely understand! Architecture photography offers a unique opportunity to capture the beauty of towns and cities. Whether you want to shoot the modern architecture of Rotterdam or the historic buildings of Leipzig, our tips will help you turn any building into a work of art. Get inspired and head out!

Tip 1: Choose a specific moment

In most cases, the best time to photograph architecture is at sunrise and sunset. This gives sleek, clean-lined buildings a warm atmosphere. You can also take beautiful photos after the sun has set. By playing with a long shutter speed, you get striking effects in the sky, while LED or neon lighting brings the buildings to life.

Tip 2: Use the right settings

The right settings are crucial in architecture photography. Working with a long shutter speed, for example, can create beautiful effects. Think of clouds above a city that are completely blurred, or the water of a river smoothed out entirely by using a long shutter speed. You can also play with depth of field by choosing a small aperture, such as f/11. And always check that your camera is level and suits the composition you have in mind.

Tip 3: Think about composition

Composition is very important in architecture photography too. It helps to get to know the building you want to photograph, so you can shoot it from the right spot. Your own viewpoint matters as well. A building can look very imposing when photographed from below, but shooting it from above can also create a great effect. Architecture often contains beautiful details you can capture, too. Look for patterns or particular lines that make your photo more creative.

Tip 4: Photograph reflections

Instead of photographing the building directly, you can also look for places where it is reflected. It's a creative way of shooting, and in most cases the results are well worth it. Reflections make your photo more interesting, add an extra dimension to the image or strengthen the composition. How do you go about it? Look for puddles after a rain shower, or check whether there's water nearby in which buildings are reflected. It is important that there's little wind, though, otherwise you'll see ripples in the water.

Tip 5: Make sure you have the right gear

For architecture photography, a fisheye or wide-angle lens is a must. You often have to work in tight spaces, and these lenses let you get the entire building in the frame. If you're focusing more on details, lines or patterns, a zoom lens is recommended. It lets you zoom in on a specific point and give your photo a creative twist. If you're shooting in the early morning, evening or at night, it's wise to bring a tripod for extra stability. Want to avoid distracting reflections? Then don't forget your polarising filter.

Tip 6: Watch out for distortion

If you decide to photograph architecture with a wide-angle lens, you may have to deal with distortion. This makes buildings look as if they're leaning. That can be very frustrating for an architecture photographer. You can counter this effect by using a tilt-shift lens. No tilt-shift lens at hand? Then shoot from a higher vantage point. As a last resort, you can also straighten buildings in post-processing. Do keep your composition in mind, though, so you still have room to crop after editing.

Share your results

Have you taken a fantastic architecture photo? Share it with us on Instagram! Use #KameraExpress or tag Kamera Express in your post. And be sure to follow us for plenty of inspiration.

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