How to: Pro Tips For Photographing Architecture on Vacation

For some, exploring a new city and discovering all of its architectural treasures and secrets is one of the best parts of a vacation. Whether you go on architectural tours or prefer to do your adventuring on your own and be your own tour guide, being able to photograph crisp and clear images of the buildings and features that stand out to you most allows you to take these features of interest back home with you.

Check out these tips from our experts to take great shots of everything that catches your eye!

TIP 1: Look Up

When visiting somewhere you’ve never been before, there are so many new things to take in, but don’t forget to turn your gaze (and your camera) skyward. This change in perspective allows you to notice details others normally wouldn’t and capture them in a visually interesting way.

TIP 2: Scout for Splashes of Color

The grey tone of concrete and brown colors of brick can get pretty boring after a while, so look for pops of vibrant color that can add some cheer and vibrancy to your photos.

TIP 3: Employ Leading Lines

If you need help with your image’s composition or are struggling to find an anchor element, look for linear architectural elements like columns, wall seams, benches, windows, and doorways. These all have straight lines that can lead a viewer’s eye through the photo.

TIP 4: Add a Human Element

Some places have buildings and architectural elements that have been photographed thousands of times over the years, so make your shots unique by adding a human element. In addition to making your photo different, the addition of a human element will also tell more of a story and will showcase the relationship between people and buildings.

TIP 5: Tap into Reflections

Reflective surfaces will help you create mirrored images that can enhance an already fantastic scene, add a complimentary view, and even achieve creative distortion.

TIP 6: Photograph at Night

When the sun goes down and the lights come on, a city can look completely different. This new lighting can make previously ignored or uninteresting architectural features interesting and transform a building from ordinary to extraordinary, so be sure to stay out late!

TIP 7: Have All the Lenses You Need

Architectural photography demands a range of lenses, as every shot presents unique positioning and lighting conditions. Some details that capture your attention may be a hundred feet above, while others could be just inches away.

To get the best shot every time, you should carry a wide-angle lens like the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 DI III RXD (Model A046), a prime lens like the 35mm F/2.8 DI III OSD (Model F053) for detail shots, and an all-in-one zoom like the 28-300mm DI III VC VXD (Model A074) for focal-length flexibility during your exploration of the city.

Conclusion

With these tips and lenses from Tamron, you can make your next vacation a memorable one and bring home amazing shots of all the architecture that fascinated you.

Learn more about Tamron lenses at an authorized Tamron dealer in your area or visit the TAMRON Store today.

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