If you’re a photographer drawn to vibrant color, whimsical design, and offbeat beauty, Luna Parc in New Jersey offers a dreamlike canvas for photographing eclectic art and architecture. From mosaic-covered surfaces to oddly shaped sculptures and twisted staircases, it’s the perfect place to experiment with unique composition techniques and visual storytelling that bridges art and architecture.
Images and Tips by Guest Contributor Ken Hubbard
What you will learn in this post:
- How to creatively photograph eclectic art and architecture at Luna Parc using pro-level techniques
- Tips for mastering composition through depth of field, leading lines, and geometric shapes
- The best camera gear and settings to use for capturing vibrant indoor and outdoor art spaces
- How to use macro photography to highlight intricate artistic details and textures
- Ways to find and shoot abstract and unconventional subjects that tell a visual story
Discovering Luna Parc: A Hidden Gem for Photographing Eclectic Art and Architecture
Luna Parc isn’t your typical photography destination. Tucked away in Sandyston, NJ, this private home and museum—created by artist Ricky Boscarino—is a kaleidoscope of color, textures, and shapes. Photographing art installations and quirky architectural features here is like walking through a living sketchbook. It’s one of the best spots for photographing unusual art spaces and hidden photography gems in New Jersey. For lovers of fine art photography and architectural photography alike, it offers an extraordinary setting to stretch your creative eye.
Camera Settings and Gear for Artistic Architecture Photography
Best lenses to photograph Luna Parc
To get the most out of your session, pack versatile lenses and think creatively with your settings.
- Want to get up close? A lens like Tamron’s 90mm F2.8 1:1 Macro is perfect for capturing intricate tilework or sculpture detail.
- For wide shots of rooms or facades, use a wide-angle lens like the Tamron 17-50mm F4.
Best Camera Settings
- Keep your ISO low
- Shoot in RAW
- Adjust your white balance to enhance Luna Parc’s wild color palette
TIP 1: Change Your Depth of Field to Isolate the Details
One of the best ways to photograph eclectic art and architecture is by creating shallow depth of field. Open up your aperture (f/2.8 or wider) to focus on specific elements—like a glowing mosaic orb—while blurring out the chaotic background. This technique is often used in fine art photography to draw attention to detail and add mood to your image.
TIP 2: Change Your Perspective to Capture Unique Architecture
Move beyond eye-level shots. Try shooting from a low angle looking up a spiral staircase or stand on a chair for an overhead view of colorful tiles. This helps emphasize the quirky structure and artistic building elements Luna Parc is known for. It’s one of the most effective creative photography tips for visual interest and architectural photography.
TIP 3: Look for Geometric Shapes That Tell a Story
Squares, triangles, and circles are everywhere—stained glass windows, tiled walls, sculpture bases. Use these geometric shapes in photography to frame your subject or create balance. Think of Luna Parc as a geometric playground—perfect for learning how to photograph artistic buildings with a design-focused eye.
TIP 4: Use Leading Lines to Draw the Eye When Photographing Eclectic Art and Architecture
Leading lines—like the edge of a staircase or the curvature of a railing—can guide the viewer’s eyes through your photo. At Luna Parc, they’re often hidden in mosaics, pipes, and borders. Practicing using leading lines in architecture photos here will train your compositional instincts quickly.
TIP 5: Get in Close with Macro for Fine Detail Photography
There’s magic in the small stuff. Use a macro lens for photographing art details, like the tiny beads embedded in a mural or the texturing of a ceramic. Macro photography techniques help you find stories in the smallest corners of your frame, a hallmark of fine art photography.
TIP 6: Look for Natural Light Filtering Through Artistic Spaces
Many rooms in Luna Parc are bathed in soft, filtered light—ideal for capturing mood. When shooting indoors, search for rooms where light enters through colorful stained glass or narrow windows, casting intricate shadows. This is a top trick for natural light photography indoors, often used in both architectural and fine art photography.
TIP 7: Create Abstract Images That Transform Reality
Sometimes the best shots don’t look like anything real. Use abstract photo ideas by zooming in on color patterns, reflections, or textures until the object becomes unrecognizable. This kind of abstract art photography encourages you to view familiar objects in unfamiliar ways—Luna Parc is a perfect environment for this exploration.
TIP 8: Find Unconventional Subjects That Spark Curiosity
A teacup embedded in concrete. A glittering doll head in a window. These are some of the unconventional subjects you’ll find. Capture them in ways that force the viewer to look again. This is the heart of creative photography tips: make ordinary things extraordinary and deeply personal.
Final Thoughts: Why Luna Parc Is a Must-Visit for Artistic Photographers
With its maximalist aesthetic and ever-changing collection of art, Luna Parc is the perfect training ground for any photographer looking to level up their creativity. Whether you’re working on photographing eclectic art and architecture, fine art photography, or abstract compositions, Luna Parc offers an abundance of material. The fusion of art and architecture in this environment creates endless possibilities for artistic expression.
Learn more about Tamron lenses at an authorized Tamron dealer near you or visit the TAMRON Store.