Contrary to the common assumption that architectural photography is solely for commercial purposes like sales and marketing, a unique group of photographers appreciate the beauty encapsulated in these images. The rise of platforms such as Instagram, which allow showcasing of pictures, has only amplified this appreciation. A passion for architectural photography often goes hand in hand with an interest in mastering the art of editing these images.
A key characteristic of architectural photography enthusiasts is their balanced attention to composition, lighting, perspective, and post-processing. They harmoniously blend all these elements to bring out the most of their architectural fascination. Architectural photographers embrace their unique perspectives and push their creative boundaries. They thrive on the unpredictable and extraordinary, creating dynamic images full of personality.
Here are two essential editing tricks for transforming architectural images like a pro. Whether you are a professional or an enthusiast who loves filling your Instagram pages with pictures of architectural marvels, this guide will teach you how to improve your art.
No Compromise on Colour Correction
An architectural photographer is known for creating images using an iPhone. The contrast of her ordinary streetscapes against the sky is stunning, giving her Instagram page a punch of color. The trick to creating photographs like hers is color correction, which starts during image capture and continues into the post-production stage. The choice of camera is crucial. Which camera is the most color-accurate is a question one should ask before purchasing. Note that not all camera models respond equally to the visible spectrum of colors; some capture certain hues more than others. Therefore, it is essential to know the camera’s color settings.
As a photographer, you would be aware that lighting conditions can affect the color quality of your architectural image. Indoor lights can cast a yellow or orange tint, while outdoor lighting can give off a blue or green hue. Often, as an architectural photographer, you may be unable to capture your image in the desired color. However, you can correct this during image editing.
Basic Colour Correction Steps During Editing
- Analyzing the image for the right color and contrast, based on the desired mood that you want to create, can help you decide what corrections need to be made.
- If the image is too dark or light, use the exposure slider in your editing software to make corrections. Strive to learn how to achieve the correct exposure level. This will, of course, come with practice.
- Next, check if the image’s white balance is off. Bringing the white balance to a neutral tone will help balance the overall color cast.
- Similarly, use your editing tool to correct hue, tone curve, and saturation.
- Finally, don’t forget to sharpen the image. Sharpening can bring the image to life by emphasizing texture and details.
Remove Unwanted Objects
Many photographers wonder if they need to remove unwanted objects from an architectural image. Photoshop offers increasingly advanced options for this with each of its new versions. With a little effort, one can quickly learn to remove unwanted objects. However, removing objects from complex backgrounds requires patience and skills like handling spot-healing brushes.
The most crucial decision is why the object must be removed. Remember:
- Don’t remove an object if it adds to the aesthetic appeal of your architectural photography.
- To remove the object if it obscures the viewer’s direct sightline to the intended architectural capture.
- Remove the object if it’s a distraction that affects the overall composition of the image.
In conclusion, while this blog has listed two important editing tricks to create outstanding architectural photography, it’s essential to understand that the output also depends on the photographer’s passion, creativity, and willingness to think outside the box.
Most importantly, are you ready to embrace failure a few times? The more you capture, the more ideas you’ll have on how to nail it aesthetically. Now, are there any benefits in pursuing architecture photography as a passion? Then ‘yes’ there is.
Many organizations give awards and accolades for the most stunning architectural photographs, videos, visualizations, etc.
Many individuals in our society have already recognized the potential of infusing life and interaction into architectural photographs. For instance, take the famous photographer Wayne Thom, who plays with light while capturing the interiors and exteriors of various architectural structures. Another example is Tekla Evelina, who uses social media as a platform to explore colors and compositions. She is mainly known for her unique color choices and graphic designs in her architectural pictures. So, if you are looking for inspiration, many are out there, and it’s easy to find their work online.
