Architectural photography tips?
Are you interested in becoming a luxury brand photographer?
Take note of these tips that might help you to get there...
The Biltmore Villas, Al Barsha, Dubai image by Ales Vyslouzil Photography
Imagine waking up in a comfortable bed with stunning views of either the ocean or snow-glazed mountains, followed by a delicious breakfast. As a photographer, you have the opportunity to experience all of this and more. Photographing hotels and resorts is a luxurious job that involves careful consideration of various factors such as composition, equipment, lighting, and finding the best angles to capture architectural lines. There are no exact rules to follow as each architectural masterpiece is unique and it is best to remain flexible.
Let's go!
Banyan Tree AlUla, Saudi Arabia image by Ales Vyslouzil
Gear and architectural photography equipment
As an architectural photographer, people often ask me about the photography equipment I use. So, I decided to lay it all out and provide a comprehensive answer, but I couldn't include every single item. I am a creature of habit and I do not like to change and chase new gear. It is not even essential, I better put money in the stock market and work on my financial freedom.
But if you're serious about producing professional images for luxury design clients, investing in quality, architectural photography equipment is essential. For interior photography, a wide-angle lens with a full-frame sensor camera is necessary to capture maximum coverage. But be super careful how wide you go. Any camera is great, as long as you know how to use it. If you're looking to specialize in architecture and interior photography, consider investing some money in a 24mm tilt-shift lens. I use this 90% of the time. Additionally, a solid tripod is essential to prevent camera movement, especially when using longer shutter speeds, as I often do (1/10-1sec) exposure is normal.
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, UAE image by Ales Vyslouzil
2. Vertical & Horizontal Lines
When taking photographs of hotels, resorts, and interiors, it is important to have all lines vertical and horizontal. This is what separates amateur photographers from professionals. Yes, sounds basic but I often see tilted photographs and it makes me cry. Luckily, many modern cameras have a built-in level, so there is no reason for crooked lines in your architectural shots. Using a tripod is important in ensuring your images are levelled, as it can be difficult to achieve this without one. We do not shoot hand-held. We are well paid, so we do not have to rush through the day. Take it easy and slow down tiger.
3. Too wide only real estate accepts
When starting in photography, you may feel inclined to use a wider lens to capture everything in the room. Don't do it! This is not a budget-friendly real-estate shoot. Some hotel brands even recommend not going wider than 24mm as it can create a misleading sense of space, making the room appear larger than it is. If you need one, Canon has a superior 17mm T/S lens, which in my opinion is Rolls-Royce among wide lenses with little distortion. However, be mindful of avoiding furniture or objects too close to the edge of the frame, as this can cause distortion.
Address Sky View, Dubai, UAE image by Ales Vyslouzil
4. Composition is key
Architecture photography composition plays an important role in the quality of the final photograph. It doesn't matter how expensive your camera is or how well-designed the interior is, if the photography composition is poor, the chances of getting a decent photo are quite low. There is no certain set of rules, and creativity is always encouraged. However, when starting, it is recommended to stick to safe compositions.
One popular composition technique for hotel photography is the one-point perspective. This involves a single vanishing point, where receding parallel lines meet in a linear perspective. Although it may not always be possible due to furniture placement, limited space, or desired framing, it is worth checking if a point perspective is achievable when assessing a space.
Another key aspect of composition in hotel photography is being mindful of the distance between big furniture and the camera. Wide-angle lenses tend to introduce significant distortion, making big furniture appear even larger and out of proportion when they are closer to the camera. To avoid this, try to keep big items as far away from the camera as possible.
One basic tip for composition is to focus on the experience rather than the physical elements of the space.
The Biltmore Villas, Al Barsha, Dubai image by Ales Vyslouzil Photography
5. Lighting
For most professional architectural photographers and interior photographers, including myself, strobes are the preferred method of artificial lighting. The key is to use artificial light in a way that makes it feel like natural light to the viewer, without any evidence of artificial lighting.
This can be achieved through a technique called motivated lighting. Ensure that you place your strobes close to existing light sources to create the impression that the light is coming from the existing source, resulting in more natural-looking images.
Photographing interiors with strobes can be quite challenging, because wide-angle lenses are commonly used, and the strobe may end up in the frame. Shooting multiple images on a tripod with and without strobes is an essential skill to help you create a final image that includes the lit segments without the strobes.
6. Use Your Interior Stylist Skills
Having a good sense of interior styling can come super handy. Consider small details that can make a space more welcoming, such as fluffing up pillows (my clients always laugh once I start fluffing and throwing pillows around) and neatly folding guest towels on the bed (thanks to Gerry O'Leary for such skills). Adding flowers, small props, and decorations can also create a warm atmosphere.
When taking photos of the dining room, include bowls of fresh fruit or pastries to showcase the available amenities. But be careful, many hotel brands are very strict about it, so do not overdo it. By adding personal touches, you can transform a plain room into a lively and inviting space.
