1. 1. Written By: Rhea Rustan, Professional Architectural & Interior Design Photographer Arch itectural Photography Tips When photographing architecture it is important to show the space and remain true to the size, color, detail, and the unique accents that make the spaces creator stand out, their signature, what they do that makes them stand out from others in their industry. It is highly advisable to have a wide- angle lens specifically for photographing architecture and interior design projects. I recommend 10x22 and plan to spend about $600.00 to $700.00 for the kens. Its worth every penny! To creatively showcase an architects work, make sure that you dont manipulate what is really happening in real life while working on the photo. Try not to provide too much contrast and light into the photo. Too much light can be controlled in a few ways. I do it with separate exposures in which I can trick the cameras shutter into less light and more of a controlled light, by flipping the light switch to my lights off for a 2-3 second count and then back on for the duration of the take. This is done during timed longer shutter speeds, usually around 6-7 seconds depending on how late it is or close to twilight time. In case you didnt know, twilight it referred to as the golden hour. It is every architectural photographers time to shine. I recommend using tungsten lighting and avoiding fluorescent lighting, which many photographers may use in a studio. Architecture is a different type of photography than studio and people photography. Tungsten lighting provides a softer, more dramatic scene, highlights the shadows and sets a mood for the set. Tungsten lighting doesnt blow out and show splashes of light that need to be cleaned up in postproduction. It is very ambient and soft. I make it a point to replace all the lights on my set. I remove any fluorescents and replace them with 40-watt tungsten bulbs, even the down lighting.
2. 2. Twilight photography as it pertains to photographing architecture, is very popular. Twilight lends some of the best colors and beautiful blue skies even on some of the cloudiest days. Twilight only happens one time a day, so it is very important to be prepared for the photo shoot and plan for problems just in case there are issues that are unexpected when you arrive. Things that can go wrong include circuit breakers in homes or commercial properties blowing out in the middle of photographing or the weather not being conducive to a good sky. If the weather looks substandard and you sense post-production will be a nightmare for you to get the desired final product, then schedule a different time to come back and re-shoot. You will save yourself a lot of work on the back end by doing this. In the event that situationsarise, it is not the end of the world. Just think of it as a minor a set back. A photo shoot gone South can be salvaged with a dawn shoot if time is an issue, and if the photographer has allowed extra days for the shoot from the beginning, a dawn shoot is not necessary. The only issue is returning to the site an additional time when the conditions are better. The great thing about architecture is it doesnt move and it doesnt have an attitude. For more information or if you have any questions, please send me an email or call: rhearustanphotography@gmail.com or call (714) 276-7978. Photography By: Rhea Rustan Architectural Photography Tips By: Rhea Rustan Pg2