Architectural photography is an important aspect of Architecture. It captures the soul, tells a story, and plays a critical role in capturing, documenting, and passing on the essence of a built environment. Architectural photography serves as a bridge between architecture and its viewer, it acts as a voice that narrates and highlights the design brief, the experiences, and cultural or functional significance. Through proper perspective, architectural photography, Architectural photography commemorates a building and also plays a significant role in the design process.

Design Documentation in Architectural Photography – 

Architectural photography plays an important role in showcasing a systematic way of recording the growth and output of an Architectural design project. Architectural photography documents the physical and aesthetic qualities of a building, including scale, proportion, texture, and materials. It provides accurate visual records of the completed project. Architectural photography preserves the architectural design for historical, information, educational, and research purposes. Architectural photography allows the viewers & architects to visualize their work and to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the project. The photographs act as a bridge between sharing ideas, inspiring futuristic design, and reflecting on the history of Architecture. Professional photography is often reflected in magazines, portfolios, competitions, and several publications to showcase the architect’s perspective. In the course of the construction period, Architectural photography captures each stage of construction, which helps architects and stakeholders track the progress and ensure the proper design specifications.

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Storytelling through Architectural Photography – 

Architectural photography is a powerful tool to unfold the story of a building or structure. It goes beyond merely representing the structure and relies on its context, purpose, and emotional impact. Architectural photography represents and narrates the building’s connection to the people, its surroundings, functionality, and functionality. Architectural photography allows one to focus on specific design elements—such as Shadow, texture, and light. Architectural photography brings out the architect’s creative objective. Architectural photography often embodies people interacting with spaces, it gives a sense of scale and existence to design. Architectural Photography highlights how a building acknowledges requisites and behaviors. Architectural photography captures the cultural, historical, and geographic context of a building. It helps communicate and influence local materials, climate, traditions, and climate on the design. 

Role of architectural photography in design documentation and storytelling-sHEET2
Storytelling through photography_©TRIAS, 13 January 2017

Architectural Photography uses light and shadow, perspective, and shape to evoke emotions. The interplay of natural light in a religious monument conveys divinity, while acute angles in modern buildings express enterprise. Architectural Photography ascertains a mesmeric story of the building’s purpose, attracting people, clients, and the public. Architectural photography can be a patron for heritage conservation, sustainable architecture, Landscape architecture, and urban design innovations which highlights their importance. Architectural photography set out as the primary medium through which people experience the beauty of architecture, especially for the people who cannot visit a building personally. Architectural photography normalizes the way to seek architecture by bringing remote locations, iconic designs, or historic structures to a global level visually. Architectural photography allows designers to share their projects across the globe and exchange several cultures, and traditions which influence the design trends and flashing dialogue. Architecture not only helps professionals but also helps students and fanatics learn, understand, and appreciate architectural styles, design philosophies, and various construction methods. 

Role of architectural photography in design documentation and storytelling-sHEET3
Play of light_©Marica, February 8, 2018

The role of architectural photography technically depends on Natural light and sometimes artificial illumination, which are preferably used to highlight details, materials, textures, and the character of a space. Proper and Correct framing and perspective i.e., Proper perspective, wide angles, saturation, exposure, and proper resolution focus attention on spatial relationships and scale of structure. Usually, the Close-ups capture texture, depth, materials, intricate design elements, and craftsmanship, enhancing the documentation. Architectural photography enshrines the buildings that may no longer exist or are under the condition of decay. Architectural photography ensures that their legacy continues through visual evidence. Architectural photography plays a miscellaneous role in documentation, ensuring that the functional, emotional, and physical features of architecture are preserved. Simultaneously, it acts as a tool for storytelling, which brings life to the architect’s work, vision, and the building’s relationship with its surrounding environment and users. By beautifully blending art and documentation, architectural photography becomes a reproving medium for preservation, communication, and inspiration in the architectural realm.

Role of architectural photography in design documentation and storytelling-sHEET1
Art of taking Photo_©Swork studio, 9 January 2021

 

Author

Ar. Pallavi Patil, graduated from PDA College of Engineering, Kalaburagi in 2021 and specialized in Urban design from Aurora Design Academy, Hyderabad. Currently working as Asst. Prof at Sharnbasva University. With a passion of Heritage & Conservation, Architectural Photography, Art in Architecture aims to create architectural solutions that honour the past.