Architecture is an incredibly fascinating area of design. The
seemingly impossible physics, the play of light, the masculine textures,
it all comes together to create an incredible sense of fantasy and
wonder.
The magic of great architecture is highlighted and even
amplified significantly when presented by the right photographer. Today
we'll take a look at five quick tips to keep in mind to help you shoot
better abstract architecture shots followed by thirty stunning examples.
When
you approach a structure, try to find a crop that makes the reality of
the building seem impossible. To illustrate, consider how the image
above feels like an optical illusion.
Also notice how the lines
are positioned in such a way that it feels like the building is immense
and could continue forever. Without knowing this building, we don't
exactly know what it is we're looking at and the curved lines create a
strong illusion of infinite potential.
The
idea that symmetry is beautiful is an inescapable notion. When we see
it in creatures, plants, art, architecture or anywhere else we are drawn
to it and captivated. Whether it's that our brains enjoy the fun of
spotting repetition or that there's just less information to process, we
can't help feel that symmetry is good and right.
When you're
shooting architecture, the simplest place to start is with symmetrical
aspects. Find something that repeats, place two or more of them tightly
in the frame and you'll have the potential for a great shot.
Some
of my favorite architecture abstracts instill a dramatic sense of
vertigo not by looking downward, but upward. Impossibly tall structures
have a tendency to fascinate and terrify us at the same time. If you
stare long enough to really let yourself get taken in, you almost feel
as if you're going to fall into the sky.
Any time you're up
against a tall structure, whether it be man made or natural, try taking a
shot looking straight up from the bottom. Make sure to adjust your ISO
and aperture so that the sky detail isn't blown out, it's often the
texture and drama in that vast cloudy background that really makes the
photo.
When
you're shooting any sort of abstract, resist the tendency to level the
camera as you would with a typical shot. Instead explore every angle and
rotation to make the image that much more captivating.
The photo
above uses rotation to add a lot of visual interest. It makes you want
to twist your head to find the proper viewing angle, which isn't always
obvious and can leave you wondering.
Whenever
you have the opportunity, come back to an interesting building at
different times of the day to watch as the sun plays across the surface
and shadows envelop or escape the crevices.
Consider the
lighting exactly like you would in high and low key portrait situations.
Sometimes you'll want strong prevalent shadows for a dramatic look
while other times a bright, almost flat appearance will make a more
powerful statement.
Hope
you've enjoyed looking at these wonderful architecture pictures and
that they've given you some inspiration for your own photographs. We'd
love to see any you've taken in the comments below.
Photographer and writer based in north east England.
Marie Gardiner is a writer and photographer from the North East of England. After gaining her degree in Film and Media, Marie worked in the media industry, before leaving to set up the business she runs with her partner: Lonely Tower Film & Media. As well as writing about visual practices like photography and video, Marie is also the author of Sunderland Industrial Giant (The History Press, 2017), Secret Sunderland (Amberley Publishing 2019), and Celebrating Sunderland (Amberley Publishing 2023). Her photographic work focuses on landscapes and industrial ruins, particularly those of the North Pennines as she continues to work on her long-form documentary project Changing Landscapes.
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