Tips for Interior/Exterior Architectural Shoot?

[jsvphoto]

Anyone have some good general beginner-level tips for interior and exterior architectural shoots?

I may have an opportunity to try and get my foot in the door with an architectural firm shooting their completed buildings, with the obvious intent of showcasing the architecture.

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sparker1]

You need an ultra-wide angle lens to capture more area. However, tilting the camera up or down will cause converging lines. If it's for an architectural firm, surely they will invest in Tilt/Shift lens to make realistic photos.

[jsvphoto]

How important does the tilt/shift tend to be for interior shots. That's mostly a concern for exterior perspectives, isn't it? The interior shoot will be coming up very soon, but the exterior shots will be postponed until spring...

[Tiger_993]

I would think that in most interior settings an ultra-wide lens like the Canon 10-22 or Sigma 10-20 will do the job for you. That, and a spirit/bubble level to get the camera level. If you do need to tilt your camera up to capture ceiling detail in a very large space, you can correct the misaligned verticals in post. This is not an ideal solution, but it will work in a pinch.

I think the more important issue at hand is what are you going to do for lighting of your indoor shots? Are you going to shoot available light with bracketed exposures, or will you be going with off camera flash? The lighting will make or break your shot IMHO.

[sparker1]

I agree an UWA will handle the interiors, as long as you keep it level. I also agree that lighting is critical. Bounce flash is one possibility to even out the lighting. You must avoid the flash hitting mirrors or shiny surfaces directly. Light coming in through windows can blow your shot (and your mind). Hanging something outside the windows to reduce and soften the light is one approach. Cheesecloth or similar material may be enough. Again, an architectural firm should be willing to buy stuff that will be needed over and over.

[jsvphoto]

Thanks so much for the insights, guys. I was figuring on using available light, as I assumed the architects would already have their lights highlighting what they deemed important (i.e. lighting up other surfaces might ruin what they were trying to express). I can see using some reflected, diffused light to increase the ambient, but not to specifically highlight particular details.

The firm is not interested in purchasing equipment, I am sure. This is more of an opportunity for me than for them. I believe they will be hiring a professional as well - I'm just getting a chance to shoot and see how I do. If I do well, who knows...

Oh, and I don't have an UWA. The widest I've got is the 17-55 2.8. Figured I'd use that on a tripod (with my 30D). Any recommendations on ISO and/or shutter speed? Does the normal 1/(2xfocal length) apply? Or should I be able to get usable photos with extended exposures at low ISO using the tripod and a remote?