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Architecture - and architectural photography - are part of the the wider category of the industry term ‘built environment’. Thought of like this the potential subjects for architectural photography are many. Architecture includes buildings. But it also includes building interiors and infrastructure like bridges, roads, tunnels. You could think of it as structural photography.
Unlike people and nature as subjects the key feature of architectural photography is that the subjects don’t move. The main variables are to do with light. So let’s think about the main features of lighting to consider.
Who commissions and buys architectural photography?
Architects showcasing their buildings.
Other people involved in the built environment sector: engineers, materials suppliers, property developers, planners.
Estate agents and anyone selling anything that has gone into the making of the building or structure.
Visitor information and tourism authorities. Anyone involved in promoting places and destinations.
People who rent space in important commercial and landmark buildings.
Organizations who care for important buildings or areas such as English Heritage, The Landmark Trust and The National Trust.
See yourself as an architectural photographer?
Why not pick a building you walk paste regularly and experiment with using that as your subject for a week.
Take photographs at different times of day, weather conditions and experiment with the whole building and detail.
See how a structure that doesn’t move can change its character through light, weather and the context of things going on around it. Enjoy!