Fundamentals of Architectural Photography & Composition

In this section, we will go over the history of the documentation of architecture, equipment basics, and how to set up your camera

In this lesson we study the origins of the art of architectural photography

• Contemporary expression of an established form.

• Paradigms of composition, handling of light, tone, color, and density are over 500 years old.

• Disciplined, methodical, mathematical systems of composition and rendering

In this lesson, we go over the basic equipment you will need to work in architectural photography.

Can you use your smart phone in architectural photography? The answer is yes! It can be done and with high-quality results. Here's how.

Elevated viewpoints were common in view painting and engraving. We can emulate this practice in architectural photography by utilizing drones.

In this lesson, we will talk about one of the most essential elements in your gear, the polarizing filter.

In this lesson, we will go over camera operation basics

• Essential apps

• White balance

• Focus

• Exposure control

• Lens selection

In this lesson, we discuss Live View for achieving sharper images.

Here is a basic workflow for taking the photograph. This will teach you how to systematize everything you do in setting up your camera so that you can concentrate on actually seeing what you are going to shoot and figure out the best way to document it.

"Back Up and Zoom In" is one of my main approaches to landscape photography.

In this section, we will examine the rules of composition and systems of proportion. We will also explore the 6 basic shapes for architectural photography.

Whether you are shooting or processing in the studio, remember: decide if your view is to be vertical or horizontal, and "BEWARE THE SQUARE"!

In this lesson, I show my though process while photographing the iconic Glass House by Philip Johnson.

These 6 basic shapes for architectural photography will make your decisions in the field quicker.

In the lesson, we will talk about axial horizontals, and how to create order and stability in architectural photographs.

In this lesson, we talk about the power of the border vertical. Border vertical elements give order, structure, strength, and stability to architectural photographs.

In this next section of lessons, we will go over

• How to set up composition in the field

• Photography in the summer and winter months

• How to utilize people in your photographs

• Basics of night photography

Precise shadow control requires planning, precision, and patience. In this lesson lets go over the critical timing needed for shadow control.

One of the most exciting parts of architectural photography is shooting at night. In this lesson, we go over the two key elements for night photography.

When arranging people in your photographs you must consider

• Precise time of day for best shadow and light control

• Thoughtful composition, properly proportioned

• Removing everything in your image that is not compositional

The summer months are the only time you have sun on true north elevations, in this lesson, we go over the fundamentals of shooting during the summer.

In the winter months, the sun does not strike true north elevations. In this lesson, we discuss how to take proper architectural photographs in the winter when precise timing for an axial north elevation is required.

In this lesson, we use photomerge to blend multiple images for a really wide view.

In this section, we will go over the basics of file processing

• Bridge

• Camera raw

• Photoshop

• White balance

• Color correction

This important lesson covers processing your architectural photography files.

In this lesson, we look at the one-click white balance feature in camera raw to get the color on your photo exactly the way you want it.

In this lesson, we go over everything in my Photoshop workflow from importing and labeling, to correcting color and distortion.

In this lesson we discuss a specific kind of color correction in Photoshop, "selective color".

Here we continue with color correction in your architectural photographs. In this lesson, we discuss some of the most powerful tools in Photoshop, local color correction plus hue & saturation.

When striving for perfection in your architectural photographs remember, everything is compositional!

In this lesson we will talk about the most powerful retouch tool in your Photoshop arsenal, the highlight dodge tool.

This is the technique that has revolutionized architectural photography. In this lesson, we cover layered exposures for a perfectly blended photograph.

Exaggerated perspectives are a problem in architectural photography. In this lesson, we talk about controlling those wide-angle distortions.

In this lesson, we talk about my method for resizing architectural photographs.

In this section, we will examine the various project types you will encounter in your work.

• Black and White photography

• Interior photography

• Landscape

• Still life

• Streetscape

This is the single most important photograph of your entire presentation, the "Signature Shot".

Photographing details is so important to the overall documentation of your project. just one element can represent the entire building. In this lesson, we discuss photographing architectural details.

Shooting high rises requires the organization of many elements. In this lesson, we discuss some of the fundamentals of shooting high rises.

Interior photography is the most difficult and demanding aspect of architectural photography. In this lesson, we cover everything you need to know about shooting interiors including

• Compositional principles

• Control of shadows

• Placement of elements

• Lighting

Make your home a laboratory for your design ideas and a place to practice your interior photography. In this lesson, I explain how you can practice your photography by being your own client.

In this lesson, we talk about why I believe the lights should be ON for daylight interior photographs.

In this lesson, we discuss "room vignettes", showing a part of a room to represent the entire space. Like a still life, but including more of the architecture.

In this lesson, the definition of "still life"... Contemplation of contrasts and harmonies, inherent in the proximity of silent objects touched by the same light.

Learning how to successfully photograph landscapes is one of the most gratifying parts of architectural photography. In this lesson, let's look at the fundamentals of landscape photography.

In this lesson, we look into black-and-white photography and why we use it.

• More abstract than color

• More inherently contemplative than color

• Allows viewer to bring more personal experience to the image

In this lesson, we study six artists to study for black-and-white photography and what we can learn from them.

In this last set of lessons we discuss

• Post production techniques

• Archiving images

• The business of architectural photography

In this lesson, we look at how to sequence your photos in a logical manner for your clients.

In this lesson, I show you how to easily create contact sheets to present your architectural photographs to your clients.

If you are just beginning your career in architectural photography, this lesson will help you avoid some common mistakes in the business of photography.

In this final lesson, I suggest five books every architectural photographer should own.

In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to approach industrial projects and how to achieve the best possible industrial photographs. The video presents the 8 essential principles necessary.

Here's some solutions for you in the case of bad weather on a shoot that you can't re-schedule

Thank you so much for enrolling in the FUNDAMENTALS OF ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY & COMPOSITION! I hope you enjoyed this course and it has brought your photography to new levels. Please keep in touch by emailing me your comments and questions at the email [email protected]

For more in-depth information about these topics I encourage you to purchase my e-book "Architectural Photography & Composition"

A Complete Guide to the History, Practice and Techniques of Architectural Photography and Composition.

360 pages, over 300 photographs contained in this e-book.

Everything you need to start your own architectural photography practice or master your existing skillset.

Visit www.stevenbrookephotography.com