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How to: Tamron Pro Tips For Photographing Architecture on Vacation
For some, exploring a new city and discovering all of its architectural treasures and secrets is one of the best parts of a vacation. Whether you go on architectural tours or prefer to do your adventuring on your own and be your own tour guide, being able to photograph crisp and clear images of the buildings and features that stand out to you most allows you to take these features of interest back home with you. Check out these tips from our experts to take great shots of everything that catches your eye!
Tip #1) Look Up. When visiting somewhere you’ve never been before, there are so many new things to take in, but don’t forget to turn your gaze (and your camera) skyward. This change in perspective allows you to notice details others normally wouldn’t and capture them in a visually interesting way.
© Glynn Lavender
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Tip #2) Scout for Splashes of Color. The grey tone of concrete and brown colors of brick can get pretty boring after a while, so look for pops of vibrant color that can add some cheer and vibrancy to your photos.
© Thomas Ardoff
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Tip #3) Add a Human Element. Some places have buildings and architectural elements that have been photographed thousands of times over the years, so make your shots unique by adding a human element. In addition to making your photo different, the addition of a human element will also tell more of a story and will showcase the relationship between people and buildings.
© Kenna Klosterman
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Tip #4) Employ Leading Lines. If you need help with your image’s composition or are struggling to find an anchor element, look for linear architectural elements like columns, wall seams, benches, windows, and doorways. These all have straight lines that can lead a viewer’s eye through the photo.
© Klaus Wohlmann
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Tip #5) Tap into Reflections. Reflective surfaces will help you create mirrored images that can enhance an already fantastic scene, add a complimentary view, and even achieve creative distortion.
© Armando Flores
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Tip #6) Photograph at Night. When the sun goes down and the lights come on, a city can look completely different. This new lighting can make previously ignored or uninteresting architectural features interesting and transform a building from ordinary to extraordinary, so be sure to stay out late!
© Itsuka Yakumo
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Tip #7) Have All the Lenses You Need. Architectural photography requires a variety of lenses because you’re never in the same position with the same lighting conditions for all your different shots. Some things that catch your eye might be a hundred feet in the air, while others may be inches from you. To get the best shot every time, you should carry a wide-angle lens like the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD, a prime lens like the SP 35mm F/1.4 for detail shots, and an all-in-one zoom like the 18-400mm VC for focal-length flexibility during your exploration of the city.
With these tips and lenses from Tamron, you can make your next vacation a memorable one and bring home amazing shots of all the architecture that fascinated you.
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