Photography tip: Exterior Architecture

Photographing building exteriors is both easy and difficult. The easy part is finding subject matter . . . the difficult part is composing in a way that is both dynamic and original.

The above image is a nice mixture of old and new architecture, and the vertical lines of both structures compliment each other. As the old west-facing architecture is more aesthetically pleasing than the newer building, this photo was meant to be taken with warm, evening light. A morning shot would have illuminated the newer building at the expense of the great sandstone detail.

Architecture is a classical subject, and because of its permanence, a traditional rule of thirds composition may be the best choice. In this photo, the older building takes up 1/3 of the picture space, while the background texture (newer building) takes up the remaining 2/3rds. One could argue that the older building should be more prominent, but if altered, I believe that it would lose its visual strength.

These building were taken in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. If you have come from a photography school, or have been part of a photography organization that judges your photos, you may have lingering phobias of improperly composing your photographs (due to the heavy hand that is about to "correct" you!). When it comes to fine art photography, there is no need to follow the rules set out by those above you . . . and often it is in breaking these established rules that the most dynamic and thought provoking works arise.

This photo is taken for the purpose of hanging on a wall. The wallpaper design is from the Arts and Crafts movement and the off-center composition in a jarring manner, grabs the attention of the viewer. The wallpaper design and placement of the historic painting takes the image from documentary to abstract, and provides for an interesting work to hang on a wall.

A good location to find textured wallpaper is at an historic settlement, if there is one near where you live. This image was taken at a settlement called King's Landing, in New Brunswick, Canada.

Thanks to professional photographer Mark Hemmings (www.markhemmings.com) for writing this photo tip.