CAMERA CLINIC - Master the art of modern photography

Architecture is a huge subject in photography.

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Whether you enjoy tall, shiny buildings or something more classical, there's something for you. Not only is there plenty of choice with subject matter, but there's also the chance to express yourself creatively in a distinctive style.

Better still, you don't need specialist equipment. While it is true that professional architecture shooters will use perspective-control (PC) lenses to enable verticals to be recorded correctly, as an enthusiast creator, you don't need such specialist and often expensive optics. However, if you do get bitten by the building bug and a PC lens appeals, there are budget options available.

For the sake of this Camera Clinic, let's assume you want to create better building photos and have a modest budget to further your skills. As I have already mentioned, you are not going to struggle for subjects, so it would help if you funnelled down what area of architecture appeals.

That will probably be influenced by what's local to you.

Structures such as bridges and viaducts have plenty of photo potential; or you might prefer the grandeur of cathedrals; or maybe you have a yen for the more modern.

Once you have some ideas, it's time to turn your head to your technique options and to seize the opportunity to develop your creativity.

In this feature, there's a multitude of photo ideas to try.

If you have an extreme ND filter, you might be tempted by super-long exposures, especially as any people in the shot will blur out; or, at this time of year when the nights are long, going for a dark approach might appeal. Another option is to look at your lenses and shoot with just one type perhaps a telephoto lens to pick out detail and compress the perspective in your shots.

Get the knowledge

Explore your lens armoury for shooting architecture

When it comes to lens choice, there's no real right or wrong, so feel free to interpret the subject as you see fit.