We all encounter architectural photography in many parts of our daily lives. Following are some examples of the most common photographic categories.
Documentary-style architectural photography: Many such pictures are found in photo books, trade magazines, brochures, and in the documentation of construction sites. In most cases, these pictures exist as part of a series and are complemented and accompanied by explanations, drawings, or blueprints. All of them describe the building and are dedicated to the purpose of giving an accurate account of the building’s specific properties.
Postcard photography: Postcards show architecture in similar ways, even though there is a different level of precision and intent. The exact representation of a building is less important to the consumer than the visual proof of having been at a particular place. As a result, these pictures are usually based on recognition values. Colors often have unnatural saturation, effects may be exaggerated, and photographic rules may be lost.
Vacation photography: The motivation for tourists taking pictures of edifices such as churches, castles, and landmarks is often to take away personal mementos. Although architecture forms the subject here as well, an actual building is much less important than the location or place where it stands. It is interesting to note that such pictures are usually taken while on vacation, but in everyday life and at home, comparable buildings will often be photographically ignored.
Advertising photography: Another application of architectural photography is advertising via billboards, newspapers, and television. Architecture is used to frame products in an advantageous context for the marketers. Modern architecture, for example, can associate a product with values such as “futuristic”, “high-tech”, “valuable”, or simply “cool”. The automobile industry especially uses this technique. In many cases, the base picture is significantly altered with colorization, halos, and reflections.
Artistic architectural photography: Architectural photographs with artistic values are displayed in galleries and exhibitions. In most cases, the exhibitions showcase a particular subject or a particular photographer. Architecture is only a means to an end, and the photographs’ expression is decoupled from what the building originally conveyed. It is the photographer rather than the architect who becomes the creative artist.