Photography serves as a mode of nonverbal communication, conveying narratives through its composition, abstraction, and manipulation. Through careful observation of a photograph, individuals can perceive not just the narrative it presents, but also the specific instant it freezes in time. Interacting with a photograph enables people to explore its complexities, revealing its core essence and significance.
No Caption Needed
Take a look at this first photograph taken by Michael Grimm. But hold on, did you realize it was New York’s Times Square? Yeah, many were able to find it out.
It is because the photograph effortlessly conveys the vibrant essence of the bustling cityscape within its single frame. Tall buildings, adorned with numerous displays on their facades, dominate the scene, while the streets below bustle with shops, restaurants, theaters, and entertainment venues. The harmonious arrangement of street furniture adds to the lively atmosphere, completing the entire streetscape pulsating with varied groups of people.
Narrative series
Contrastingly, the first photograph of the striking Hyder Aliyev Convention Centre by Zaha Hadid showcases the frontal view captivated by its meticulous curved structure. However, it’s somewhat jarring to observe the fully concreted flooring devoid of any greenery.
Yet, upon viewing the subsequent photographs, slightly zoomed out to reveal the context, a captivating interplay between the structure and its landscape emerges, illustrating how individual or collective photographs can weave contrasting narratives, showcasing different facets of the architectural marvel.
Elements of Photography
While discussing architectural photography, elements like line and shape create a form having depth and scale while creating a positive or negative space. Within these spaces, the interplay of light and shadow harmonizes with the nuanced effects of color, pattern, and texture.
For instance, let’s examine different photos for each keyword.
In architectural photography, composition is crucial and entails placing these visual elements in a way that creates harmony and balance. Placement done strategically can direct viewers’ attention and elicit desired emotions. A photograph might feature either of these elements individually or in combination, each contributing to the composition to convey the essence.
Photographers can boost the impact of their architectural images by utilizing compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space, and strategic camera positioning.
Abstractism
In architectural photography, abstractism entails expressing the spirit of structures via unique viewpoints, unusual angles, and imaginative compositions. Photographers may create a feeling of mystery and intrigue by abstracting architectural elements including lines, curves, textures, and patterns. This will attract viewers into the image and encourage them to look closer. Abstraction provides depth and fascination to architectural photography, engaging and enriching the experience for clients. Examples of this include capturing the flow of space, showing the interaction of light and shadow, and stressing geometric shapes.
Out of these two photographs, one may find the Eiffel Tower easily from their subconscious memory. However, both images pique interest and may encourage viewers to learn more about the project and its purpose. Photographers do not always have to go out of their way to get a distinctive angle or viewpoint. The examples below demonstrate how a structure’s abstract shape may organically catch attention and convey its own narrative.
Aerial Photography – what it means to be a bird
Changing your perspective allows you to see a familiar scene differently. Transitioning from ground or eye-level viewpoints to an aerial viewpoint allows for linkages similar to those found in site plans, location plans, and urban layouts.
In architecture, viewing a building from above reveals details such as its integration into the urban landscape, interaction with nearby buildings, and roof design. While these viewpoints are normally inaccessible, technological advancement brings it alive.
Digital platforms
The increased use of Instagram and other social media platforms to share architectural pictures shows a tendency toward exhibiting creativity and project aspects. These platforms provide architects with a large virtual platform to showcase their work, allowing users to explore and assess numerous viewpoints.
Architects use social media to showcase visually appealing buildings that feature distinctive architectural aspects and advancements. This helps potential clients to understand the architect’s style and capabilities, allowing them to make better judgments.
Social media platforms enable people to rate the usefulness, sustainability, and workmanship of architectural projects, creating community conversation through likes, comments, and shares. Overall, social media promotes the presentation and assessment of designs, giving architects unparalleled visibility and networking opportunities.
Amidst the era of smartphones
With merely a smartphone in the hands of people in the modern digital era, people are creating visually appealing stories through their photos. These photos, which are posted on social media sites like Instagram, not only draw attention but also improve a person’s online reputation since they tell engaging tales.
It is used for a variety of tasks, including marketing, historical research, recordkeeping, and advertising. While interior photography focuses on spatial dynamics, exterior photos highlight building facades and surrounding landscapes.
Architectural photographers play a pivotal role in spotlighting these nuances, transporting viewers to different realms. They possess the uncanny ability to capture not just buildings, but the very essence of their surroundings—the dynamic interplay of emotions, activities, and spatial dimensions. As I see it, “Photographers seize what often escapes notice,” encapsulating not only structures but the vibrancy and essence of spaces.
Harvard Citation Style Guidelines:
Paliwal, S. (2023). The Art of Architectural Photography. [online] RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a10580-the-art-of-architectural-photography/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2024].
CHAUDHARY, N. (2023). Architectural Photography and Gender: Depicting Spaces Through Lenses. [online] RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a10991-architectural-photography-and-gender-depicting-spaces-through-lenses/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2024].
ArchDaily. (2020). Aerial Imagery Depicts Iconic Modern and Contemporary Architecture in a New Perspective. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/942298/aerial-imagery-depicts-iconic-modern-and-contemporary-architecture-in-a-new-perspective?ad_campaign=normal-tag [Accessed 3 Mar. 2024].
www.archdaily.com. (n.d.). Drone Photography | Tag | ArchDaily. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/tag/drone-photography.
