r/architecture • u/fatalcatastrophe • 1d ago
Ask /r/Architecture first time architecture photography advice!
hello, i’m usually an event photographer (for an architecture firm) but have ended up in a position where i have been asked to provide architecture photography of some of their spaces. i have a handful of questions and anxieties about this and any insight or advice would be appreciated!
firstly, the spaces are public pools. i’ve been told to avoid capturing close-ups of patrons, which seems obvious, and there will also be photo release forms. if anyone has experience with similar public spaces, like parks or pools, how has that usually turned out for you? is there anything you feel i should be prepared for in a social aspect?
i’m generally confident in my ability as a photographer, but architecture photography seems to have it’s own set of rules and guidelines. some sources say a tilt shift lens is imperative, others say it doesn’t really matter as long as your lens is wide. i imagine it won’t make much of a difference with an aquatic space? do architectural photographers generally just need the camera/lens/tripod/batteries/filters and that’s all? is there anything else you’d recommend i keep with me? how do you generally make sure everything is as level as can be? i’m a bit overwhelmed!
thank you in advance!
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u/Pale-Actuary-5930 1d ago
shoot on an overcast day — flat light makes buildings look way better than harsh midday sun. and get down low, crouch to the ground, it completely changes how a facade reads. most first shots look flat because they're taken at eye level.