How to photograph buildings, architecture, and landmarks

Whether we're looking at a shiny new high-rise or a 200-year-old log cabin, architecture is all around us. Most of us don't even see the buildings we pass by every day, because they're so much a part of our lives. But just because it's a static subject doesn't mean it'll make a boring picture! Follow these guidelines and your photographs of buildings, landmarks, and other architectural things will be works of art.

Get some perspective
Most buildings you'll be photographing are, of course, bigger than you. And it's also generally true that you'll be standing at more or less ground level, looking up toward the top of the building. One thing to be aware of is that this positioning is going to distort your picture — the vertical lines of the top of a building, when viewed from close by and near the bottom, will appear to be leaning in towards a point of convergence. This is due to a concept called linear perspective.

Sometimes, this effect is exactly what you're looking for. It gives the viewer a sense of the size and scope of the building and lends an air of grandeur. Sometimes, though, you'd rather all your lines appear parallel. To achieve that, it's better to move farther back from your subject. Use a telephoto lens if necessary to bring your subject back into the frame you want.

Choose your time wisely
We're starting to sound a bit like a broken record, but lighting is incredibly important when photographing buildings and structures outside. As we've talked about before, you'll get the best results if you can plan your photography for the early morning or late afternoon, when the angle of the sun provides beautiful, warm light and interesting shadows. The harsh light of noon tends to wash things out and make scenes look flat and one-dimensional. A cloudy day is somewhat more versatile, since you don't have to worry about the angle of the sun.

All about context
Especially with older structures, it's important to provide some environmental context. Include a bit of the countryside surrounding an old barn or the trees around a temple. With newer buildings, it's okay to crop more closely, but including some of the area around the building will help to anchor it and give more visual information about what you're looking at.

Watch that horizon line
If your photograph includes a horizon line, take extra care to make sure you hold your camera level. There's nothing that throws off a photo more than a view of the distant sea that's even a few degrees off level. Many newer tripods include a bubble level for just this purpose — don't be afraid to use it!
 
Lines and shadows
The interplay of light and shadow can be an interesting subject in and of itself. While harsh or stark shadows and lines can be distracting in a wide-angle photo, they can also make beautifully abstract images, especially when removed from the context of the surrounding objects. Architecture presents wonderful opportunities for zooming in, looking at things from new angles, and taking photos that highlight the structure itself, rather than the whole picture of its location.

Look for vantage points where the curves and lines of the structure will draw the viewer's eye around your photo. Create a visual path for your viewers to follow as they go from the near view to the distant.
 
Use the frames you find
It's sometimes overdone, but using windows, trees, arches, and other structures to frame your subject can be a powerful design. You can either do this with a small aperture so that both the frame and the subject are in focus, or with a larger aperture so that the frame is softly blurred while your subject remains sharp. Both can lead to interesting photos, so experiment!

Beauty in the details
While the overall structure of buildings can be spectacular, sometimes it's equally stunning to focus on single elements and details. Doors and windows can make interesting photographs, as can decorative elements like finials, railings, eaves, and sculptures.

And of course, don't forget gargoyles! While less common in the United States than in Europe, you can still find these quirky little guys lurking on rooftops and along gutters. Use a good telephoto lens to zoom in close to details you can't physically approach.
 
Try some night moves
If you have a tripod handy, try taking some architectural photography at night. The warmth of the light streaming from windows and the glimpse the viewer gets of the cozy spaces inside can create very interesting and unique scenes. You'll probably need to experiment to get a good exposure, and use a timer or remote control to avoid camera shake.

[Image credits: K. Gray]

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