10 Tips for Architectural Photography

We are often impressed by beautiful buildings but when we lift the camera (or our smartphone) to capture what it is that has impressed us, the result is often a little flat. James O. Davies gives his best tips to taking architectural photos so that the next time you snap, hopefully you’ll come away with something that may even be worth framing.

1. Before taking a picture, walk all the way round the building, acquaint yourself with the site.

James O. Davies is Head of Photography at Historic England and has over twenty five years experience of photographing historic buildings.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Grade II*. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

2. Decide exactly what you want to say about the building, what it is you want to communicate through the photograph.

Radio mast for the Durham County Police, Aykley Heads, Durham. Photo by James O. Davies ©Historic England

3. Use the ambient light and time your photograph accordingly. Watch how a building responds by the way light changes from dawn till nightfall.

Farnley Hey, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire 1954-5, Peter Womersley, Grade II. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

4. Try to keep the composition simple. Try not to over complicate the frame. Remove unwanted clutter and remove superfluous items.

Sports Pavillion at King Edward VI Grammar School, Manor Road, Stratford-On-Avon, Warwickshire. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

5. Look for even illumination across an elevation and beware the elevation that’s half in shadow. Try to shoot either early morning or late evening when the the light is more sympathetic.

Oxford Road Station, Manchester, Grade II. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

6. If shooting whole elevations, don’t truncate the building, step back, use space and let the building breath.

The Folly, Gatley, Aymestrey, Herefordshire. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

7. Photographs don’t always have to taken from eye level, look for elevation, this will give a better sense of proportion.

Scargill Chapel, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire 1958-61, George G. Pace, Grade II*. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

8. Keep looking. Your initial ideas and viewpoint may well encompass everything you want to say, but don’t rely on it. By changing position and watching how the light changes other shots may present themselves.

Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, 1960-4. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

9. Be persistent. Successful photographs take time, so slow down and never rush a photograph. If the conditions are against you don’t succumb to the act of taking the image, return the next day, the next week; the building and architect deserve the best.

Apollo Pavilion, Peterlee, County Durham 1969-70, Victor Pasmore, Grade II*. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

10. Shoot RAW files, use a prime aperture, use a tripod and endeavour to keep verticals true. Use your eyes and feet to compose the image before setting up the camera.

Cromwell House, Barbican 1963-74, Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, Grade II. Photo by James O. Davies © Historic England

Remember, the perfect picture doesn’t exist, but you can get close!