Follow the Sun from Focal Press will guide you through all aspects of architectural photography, from the genre's rich history to the exciting new approaches brought by the advent of the digital age. It explains how to use the powerful tools of digital photography while employing many of the skills and traditions of the established genre. Written to be accessible to professionals, amateurs, and students alike, this book will be useful for photographers exploring architecture as fine artists, on editorial assignments, or on commercial shoots.
Key aspects of the book include example photographs and diagrams, historical background of architectural photography, advice on essential equipment, how to plan a shoot to your advantage, how to use tilt-shift lenses for architecture, editing workflow and strategies, and interviews with architectural photographers Peter Aaron, Magda Biernat, Ty Cole, and Elizabeth Felicella.
Author James Ewing is an award-winning photographer of architecture, landscapes, and interiors. His work has been featured in publications such as Architect, Architectural Record, Metropolis, Architectural Digest, Wallpaper, Icon, Azure, Surface, l'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, A+U, and The New York Times, among others. James is the recipient of the 2010 and 2014 American Photographic Artists (APA) top prize for Architectural Photography. He has taught photography at CUNY Kingsborough Community College, Oakland Community College, and Indiana University School of Fine Arts.
- Who Needs Architectural Images and Why?
- Various Approaches and Styles Create Subjective Visions
- The Photographer's Role as Both Promoter and Critic of the Built Environment
- Influence of Linear Perspective
- The Continuous Evolution of Photographic Tools
- A Timeline of Architectural Photography
- Illustration in Both Analog and Digital Images
- Defining an Assignment
- Self-Assigned Work
- Commissioned Work
- Assignment and Voice
- Access and Permissions
- Mapping the Site
- Working Shot List
- Site Visit and Revised Shot List
- Scheduling
- Rhythms of Earth and Sun
- Qualities of Light
- Light for Architecture
- Sun Tracking Software
- Chronological Shot List
- Camera Support
- Lens
- Camera Body
- Camera Case
- Computers and Storage
- Accessories
- Grip Kit
- Lighting
- Shooting Checklist
- Photo Assistant
- Keeping Images Safe
- Shooting Tethered
- Formal Elements
- Fundamental Variables
- Cultural Components
- Building a Shot
- Linear Perspective
- Tilt-Shift Lens and Perspective
- Using a Tilt-Shift Lens for Architecture
- Optimizing Sharpness
- Using a Tilt to Extend Focus
- Breaking the Z-Axis
- Identify Goals
- Consider Light and Timing
- Select Camera Position, Lens, and Frame
- Style the Room, Move and Edit Objects
- Adjust Existing Light
- Test, Revise, and Take Final Shot
- Download to Delivery
- Hardware for Post-Production
- Software for Post-Production
- Archiving
- Editing, the Selection Process
- Basic Raw Processing
- Working with a Professional Retoucher
- How much is too much? Choosing a Look
- Lightroom Local Adjustments; Gradients and Brushes
- Compositing with Masked Adjustment Layers
- Lens Corrections
- Spotting and Sharpening
- Editing a Portfolio
- Portfolio Website
- Print Portfolio
- Peter Aaron
- Magda Biernat
- Ty Cole
- Elizabeth Felicella