Featured Technique

Take This Shot: Architecture

by Matt Tuffin on 14th December 2007

Architecture has always been a favourite subject for photographers because of the wealth of detail it contains, and the enormous range of shapes, angles and contours that can be achieved through creative framing. Spiral staircases are common subjects, but rarely are they captured as well as this one. The shape and location of most of these structures usually means that light is limited, or that there’s very heavy contrast within the shot. So, it’s important to lock your exposure just right so that the shotisn’t under or over exposed. The easiest way to do this is to find a shooting angle that delivers the best-looking exposure in your viewfinder or LCD, half-press the shutter button to lock that exposure, then reposition for the best possible framing of the subject, and shoot.

Naturally, it’s the pattern created by the spiral staircase, which is the main attraction of the shot. Patterns, repetitions or symmetrical lines frequently make for striking images, as the camera’s viewfinder is able to isolate that pattern from its surroundings, and make it even more visually powerful than it was in real life. This image has been carefully framed to create the effect of the spiral emerging from a single point at the bottom of the frame. But the photographer could have produced an equally interesting image by zooming into a particular portion of the stairwell to capture its shapes and lines in a more abstract fashion.
Remember, framing and composition are the most important elements of a successful image, so choose your vantage point very carefully.

1. Pattern and symmetry

This image is all about the spiral pattern created by the stairwell. Patterns and symmetrical shapes like this are found in most scenes, whether natural or man-made, and really help to draw the viewer in. In this case the spiral guides our eyes towards the monument at the bottom of the stairwell.

2. Framing

When you find a striking pattern or repetition in your subject, it’s important to frame it in a way that highlights that pattern rather than diminishes it. The point where the spirals meet is positioned right at the edge of the frame, creating the effect of the spirals expanding outwards from that point. Had the picture been framed slightly lower, that effect would have had less impact.

3. Active subjects

If this were a stairway with nobody on it, the image would be less interesting despite its striking shape. People always inject life into a photo, and the random  positioning of these climbers, plus there active movements, provides an effective contrast to the symmetry of the structure itself.

4. Get the light right

The ornate carvings on the banister are captured crisply in this shot thanks to the way the light falls on them. The shadow cast gives depth and dimension to the carvings, resulting in a more textured shot. Consider the time of day when shooting and, if you can, wait for a time when the light is falling at just the right angle.

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