Architectural photography the beauty of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers

Until the middle of the 20th century, architectural photography was valued for its documentary nature. The author was required to capture the object as accurately and clearly as possible, which left little room for creative searches. After the 1950s, private architects began to employ photographers to create portfolios and present their work, bringing the genre closer to advertising photography. At present, representatives of photography usually strive to present a building in a picturesque and expressive form, while not forgetting about believability. Hotels, restaurants, and real estate agencies use the services of architectural photographers to get their ads effective.

Features of architectural photography For the image of architectural objects, the shooting point is of great importance the height, distance and angle of the camera. The further and higher the photographer can be positioned, the less perspective distortion will be. But one of the peculiarities of architectural photography is that you usually shoot on city streets where there is no free space. In this case, the wide-angle lens comes to the rescue. To accurately reproduce straight lines, it is important to keep the camera straight so that the plane of the sensor remains strictly vertical.

In architectural photography, it is difficult to achieve optimal illumination. The only way to get the light in the right direction and intensity is to wait for the right time of day, weather conditions, and sometimes the season. Bright side light allows you to convey the texture of the material and focus on volumetric decorative elements. In cloudy weather, there is almost no light and shade and such details are lost, but the composition of the building as a whole is better visible.

The most famous architectural photographers

This direction in photography can be compared with academicism in painting. Many classic masters, whose works are now exhibited in museums, have shown themselves in it. Some of the most famous architectural photographers include:

1. Lucien Hervé. This master has worked with Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, Jean Prouvé and other famous architects. Chiaroscuro in his photographs makes surfaces textured, and space volumetric.
2. Ezra Stoller. The most important post-war photographer in the United States began as an architect himself. He, like no one else, could convey the beauty of the building without distorting the real appearance. Ezra Stoller preferred black and white photography and enlivened the pictures with the presence of people or cars.
3. Julius Shulman. Another classic of American photography who captured modernist architecture and spread its aesthetics around the world. Has collaborated with renowned architects such as Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright.
4. Hélène Binet. A close friend of Zaha Hadid, who shot her objects and other outstanding examples of architecture. Now he is the most famous photographer in his genre, whose works are kept in MOMA and the Carnegie Art Museum.
5. Iwan Baan. The Dutch master is now considered the most popular and highly paid architectural photographer in the world. He is filming in the USA, Europe and Asia. The author has published two dozen illustrated books, and his photos are published in international newspapers and magazines.