Architectural Photography

Mellor

I'm still quite new to photography, but if I had to pick a single subject matter it would have to be architecture. I've always been interested in architecture, both profesionally and as a passtime, and architectural photgraphy is a pretty natural progresion.

In my opinion are are some really nice buildings and vistas around dublin. Mostly older stuff. c.1900. Alot of the newer stuff is just generally not a good looking on its own, and dublin lacks a high rise centre as in other cities where many tall average buildings can look welll together.

My biggest gripe with the architecture of Dublin is the lighting. A decent section of architectural photos are night shots. But unfortunately, the Buildings of Dublin (esp the older stone ones) are horribably lit. A good example of this is the Four courts, huge potential ruin because of the way it is lit. The lights are too bright and too focuses, the result half is in darkness and the rest is over-lit. There are plenty of other examples, such as those horrible low pressure sofium lights that give off a dull orange glow.

So the purpose of this all, not much really. Just ondering if many peopke are interested in architectural stuff (could be one of many interests). And what are peoples view of the buildings of Dublin,
What are the best and the worst buildings to photograph.

phog

WRT lighting, looking at King John's Castle in Limerick from the far side of the river it's missing floodlights at the right for a nice photograph. At the moment you get the Thomond Bridge side okay but the other side is too dark:mad:.

Roen

It was my main bag in college, I really liked it and the large format cameras we were supplied with to use.

Lighting is a big concern alright, in these latitudes for daytime shots you often have to wait a few months for the sun to be in the right position in the sky. Or as you said, rely on the lighting that is provided, which is invariably shite. You could try painting with flash if the dimensions of the building and access allow.

Mellor

What do you mean by paining with flash? Would it have much impact on a large stone building already half lit. I'm thinkinf of doing twelve or so of the top buildings in dublin, but not sure which would be good, any little known gems out there.

pete4130

I do have an interestin architectural photogrpahy too, but the bad lighting is a big put off. another gripe I have is with our disgusting street furniture that is overcrowding the streets.

Painting with flash is a good idea (setting up flashes to fill in where the building is not lit properly), but I couldn't see a remote flash lasting too long sitting at the forecourts if you're on the southside of the river trying to shoot.

Mellor

I don't think it would be viable for alot of buildings. Esp those with large projections.

ladgie353

You could try with a powerful flashlight.
More info here
There was an article about that technique in Practical Photography a couple of years back and they used a flashlight on a cliff, so even a big building should be an option.

Mellor

It would never be the same. Light painting/Flashes/Lights will brighten up dark areas of a building. This would do it you want to eliminate bad lighting. Even with large projections on a large building, keeping the light sourse near the camera would result in the areas the camera sees being lit.

The result will be evenly lit buildings, which is an improvement. But a well lit building will have dark and light areas, but these wont be as harsh as found in the city, or as random, they should be designed around the building. Not sure if i'm too clear there.

jellybean520

Lighting will always be one of the biggest concerns in getting the right shot (shot right).

For me with nice architecture shots, the wider the angle the better, with some good barrel distortion emanating right from the centre.

Hugh_C

Mellor wrote: »

. I'm thinkinf of doing twelve or so of the top buildings in dublin

go on, give us a list!

I've a bit of a fixation with doors, and there are great ones to be had in the environment of Christchruch, Hume Street etc.

PaulieC

tangential, but anyway....

Does anyone know what the large domed building, at the end of a snow-covered streeet, is in the Guinness Christmas ad? I initially thought it was city hall in Dublin, looking down Parliament Street, but I don't think that has a dome

Hrududu

Is it that building in the middle of Mount Street Crescent?

sineadw

It does have a dome -

PaulieC

sineadw wrote: »

It does have a dome -

wow, I thought it didn't have a dome. So, is that the building question? Must youtube promptly. If it is, parliament street never looked so good!

PaulieC

here's the still from the Guiness ad. It looks similar to City Hall, but I don't think it is...

Mellor

don't think its the same, both have a dome, but city hall doesn't have such a tall rotunda. Car parking spaces are also bigger to each side (alot the onlookig street). And the traffic light is missing. Is there a better shot of the guiness ad?

PaulieC

that's the best I could find...

duffarama

Is that the pepper canister??

PaulieC

No, the Pepper Cannister is much narrower...


I don't recognise it as Dublin to be honest, apart from it's similarity to City hall

leohoju

Considering the rest of the ad is heavily edited (snow in Dublin for example!), it could be possible that the scene is also somewhat altered from the real thing...

Mellor

cambo_gueno wrote: »

No, the Pepper Cannister is much narrower...


I don't recognise it as Dublin to be honest, apart from it's similarity to City hall

And we come full circle, the above photo of the pepper canister is a good exple of poor lighting, narroe focus, orage sodium lights, very dark areas, and over lit areas

PaulieC

Mellor wrote: »

And we come full circle, the above photo of the pepper canister is a good exple of poor lighting, narroe focus, orage sodium lights, very dark areas, and over lit areas

well thanks for the C&C what do you mean by narrow focus?

Mellor

Sorry, I wasn't refering to the photograph, but the physical lights on the building.
In terms of the photograph the building is well placed, and nice perspective. Especially considering tight for space around it.

By narrow focus I meant the lights to either side of the portico and the base of the rotunda, they are very bright, but quickly fall off as they are focused on a small area, it would be better if the light was spread over a large area (a wider focus)

The problem with the lights can't be changed by the photographer, Have to do the best with whats on show I suppose

Mellor

cambo_gueno wrote: »

here's the still from the Guiness ad. It looks similar to City Hall, but I don't think it is...

I was thining about this, I think it might be city hall, with the rotunda added in.

PaulieC

Mellor wrote: »

I was thining about this, I think it might be city hall, with the rotunda added in.

I'm going to find out. I know someone in Guiness who may be able to help me

Roen

When I mentioned the painting with flash earlier I was more referring to strolling about with the flash in your hand and popping it off in strategic locations.

That technique is great for interiors, but doesn't look like it would be much use for what you have planned.
I used to use it primarily for 4-8 minute exposures in the interior of churches etc. Plenty of time to wander about and create a mood.

Mellor

Roen wrote: »

When I mentioned the painting with flash earlier I was more referring to strolling about with the flash in your hand and popping it off in strategic locations.

That technique is great for interiors, but doesn't look like it would be much use for what you have planned.
I used to use it primarily for 4-8 minute exposures in the interior of churches etc. Plenty of time to wander about and create a mood.

I know what you mean now, but it would be hard for big facades. I'm going to do 12 (or 6/7) shots of dublin buildings over the next week, stick them up here for C&C. So far I have:
Dublin Castle, GPO, Old Parliment Building, Christ church, Ruins in west dublin, Kings Inn
Opinions or ideas anyone?

PaulieC

Mellor wrote: »

I was thining about this, I think it might be city hall, with the rotunda added in.

Apparently this is Donegall Place in Belfast and the Building is Belfast City Hall (of City Hall as they call it in Belfast )

Mellor

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=327468429&size=m

Looks like it so.