ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY EDITING TUTORIAL
RAW IMAGE | before
FINAL IMAGE | after
Even though nearly everyone carries a camera on their phone at all times, mastering the art of authentic architectural photography remains a formidable challenge due to its distinct characteristics. To elevate your photographs to a professional level, consider the following suggestions:
STEP BY STEP:
1 | Leverage Camera RAW for Image Enhancement:
RAW Image > Open with > Photoshop
Begin by opening the RAW image in Photoshop and accessing the Camera Raw feature. Here, you can address color corrections, exposure values, and contrast. This step offers the flexibility to revisit adjustments as needed. When aiming to enhance vibrancy, opt for the Vibrance tool over saturation, as the latter can alter overall color hues while vibrance accentuates specific colors. Upon completion, open the image and transition its resolution from 72dpi to 300dpi without resampling.
2 | Ensure Vertical Alignment:
Ctrl+A > Transform > Distort/Warp
Achieving a visual representation that mirrors how the human eye perceives architecture involves rectifying vertical lines in the photograph. To achieve this, employ the Ctrl+A command to select the image, then navigate to the Transform menu and choose Distort or Warp. This meticulous adjustment is crucial as it accurately portrays the building's intended design.
3 | Refinement with Clone Stamp Tool:
Stamp > Alt
Delve into the editing process by utilizing the Clone Stamp tool. With this tool, you can meticulously remove distractions such as vibrant signs, fixtures, pedestrians, and other elements that compromise the building's scale representation. Take the time to practice this step, as it can significantly enhance the final outcome. For instance, in this particular image, I effectively removed windows that were detracting from the composition's overall impact.
4 | Precision Enhancement with Dodge & Burn:
O (dodge or burn) > Midtones/Shadows > Exposure 10%
Engage the Dodge and Burn tools (accessible through the O key) to control exposure in specific areas. This tool empowers you to fine-tune contrast with precision, adjusting shadows, midtones, and highlights. Exercise caution to maintain authenticity; exposure adjustments should not exceed 10% to 15% to evade an artificial appearance. Skillful application of this tool is crucial, as mishandling it may inadvertently alter color tones and yield undesirable outcomes.
Here is a collection of great Architectural Photographers that use composition, light, and Architecture to make stunning images! Check it out on Pinterest! *
Any questions or suggestions? Leave a comment!
*these examples are for graphic inspiration only. Their contents are unrelated to this website.
Photograph and Tutorial by Stefani Fachini - Richard Serra Sculpture, NY