Architectural photography

[Imperitus]

I might be doing some photography of a casino hotel soon.
This is a new kind of photography for me. IN the past I've done primarily product shots and portraits.

Any advice on lens choices or techniques?

[PhotosGuy]

Scout the location if you get the job. Take some shots & let them chimp & give general 'content' approval before the 'real' shoot.
Interiors might be atmosphere shots with a warm WB (Try cloudyWB). Close-ups might require a bit of fill flash.
If you're also doing exteriors, note the best time of day & angles.
Then you can decide what lenses to use.

[Imperitus]

Hum, good general advice. But I'm curious about things liek tilt-shift lenses... I have never used one, and was wondering if they were a 'must have' for architectural photography.

[Croasdail]

Unless you will be making this a regular habit, don't waste your money.... or at least rent one until you are sure this is something you will be doing on a regular business. Otherwise it is easy enough to fix in Photoshop. If you will be going the PS route, take the image a little wider then needed, I have painted myself into a corner a time or two when I have done this.

[Imperitus]

Likely this will be a 1 time gig. And I'm pretty decent with photoshop. I just prefer to get the photo right, instead of relying on post to fix it.

But if it's possible to get satisfactory results in ps I might just go that route. Thanks.

[UncleDoug]

Likely this will be a 1 time gig. And I'm pretty decent with photoshop. I just prefer to get the photo right, instead of relying on post to fix it.


You are on the right track.

You CAN get away with PS edits. But don't count on it. We use or at least have on hand the whole quiver, digi, MF film&digi, 4x5 film&digi. Most of the time the digi captures will fit the bill. But several clients want film. If they are leaning twards film for some shots they are probably savvy enough to tell when major edits were needed to bring the image into line.....

[PhotosGuy]

But I'm curious about things liek tilt-shift lenses... I have never used one, and was wondering if they were a 'must have' for architectural photography. I've used the Nikkor version, but they're expensive & I never considered it a "must have". Just keep the cam back, or lens front, parallel to the building.