Architecture

The Possibilities Are Endless

Photographing architecture is all about capturing the scale, design, and unique details of a structure.

Paris, France: The Eiffel Tower is captured with an unexpected element in the foreground.

Celebrating Icons

Pay attention to lighting, as soft morning or evening light enhances textures and details, while harsh midday sun can create strong shadows. Symmetry, leading lines, and framing can help emphasize the building’s form.

Sydney, Australia: The Sydney Opera House is traditionally photographed from across the bay. These vertical and horizontal panoramic images, as well as the added lens flares, captures this unique design in an unexpected way.

Capturing Old World Charm

Capturing old-world charm in photography is all about highlighting the timeless details—cobblestone streets, weathered facades, ornate doorways, and warm, golden lighting that evoke a sense of history and nostalgia.

Saint Paul De Vence, France: Every entry way and shop is is more incredible than the next in the images above of this captivating town.

Regensburg, Germany : It is not just the buildings and doors that create the character of a place, it is the streets, the benches and the handmade items that fill each window display.

Changing Perspectives

To create dynamic compositions, experiment with angles and perspectives—shooting from low to high can make a building look towering and dramatic, while capturing reflections in glass or water can add depth.

Compare the anticipated and predictable image above with the unique angles below.

Reykjavik, Iceland: Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall is originally captured above in the traditional view. The images that follow focus on the architectural elements that make up the building, the details of which are hard to appreciate from afar.

When photographing large structures or cityscapes, using panoramic mode allows you to capture the full width of a scene, creating a more immersive and expansive image. Whether focusing on grand skylines or intricate architectural details, thoughtful composition and the right camera settings will make your photos stand out.

Auckland, New Zealand: We use the panoramic mode and a standard left to right movement to create the image above truly capturing the holiday spirit of Te Komititanga, the civic square on lower Queen Street.

Close Up vs Wide Angles for Architecture

Truly unusual images can be capture by photographing larger items or buildings in close up or macro mode, which is often listed as Food Mode on an Android. This creates a very shallow depth of field, meaning very little is in focus.

Bratislava-Stare Mesto, Slovakia: In the image above, by using “Food” mode on the Android phone, we created a very shallow depth of field which adds to the whimsy of the street character.

Quebec City, Canada: The grand stature of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is capture in a wide angle frame.

Tips for Taking Stunning Architecture Photos with Your Smartphone

☀️ Find the Best Light
Golden hour enhances textures and depth, while overcast skies provide soft, even lighting without harsh shadows.

📐 Experiment with Angles
Shoot from low angles to make buildings look grand and towering, or try a high vantage point for a unique perspective.

➡️ Use Leading Lines
Roads, staircases, or building edges can guide the viewer’s eye toward the subject, adding depth and balance.

🖼️ Frame Your Shot
Use archways, windows, or doorways to naturally frame the building and add a sense of scale.

🔲 Look for Symmetry and Patterns
Many buildings have repetitive elements like windows, columns, or decorative facades that create striking compositions.

🔍 Capture Details
While wide shots showcase the entire structure, zooming in on textures, carvings, or intricate designs can tell a richer story.

🌆 Use Panoramic Mode
For skylines or large buildings, panoramic mode helps capture the full width of the scene without distortion.

📏 Keep Lines Straight
Tilted lines can make buildings look unnatural; use gridlines or editing tools to correct perspective distortion. Extreme angles can be creative but use intentionally.

🚶‍♂️ Include People for Scale
Placing a person near the structure emphasizes size and adds a human element to the composition.

🌙 Shoot at Night for Drama
Many buildings are beautifully lit after dark. Use Night Mode or a steady surface to capture sharp, vibrant nighttime shots.

🎨 Edit for Impact
Adjust contrast, sharpness, and color saturation to bring out architectural details and enhance textures.

By combining light, angles, and creative framing, you can transform ordinary buildings into breathtaking works of art!

Return to Subject Categories