Every time I take on a client assignment or embark on a personal architectural photography project, I draw inspiration from many sources and experiences. In this article, I will reveal the key elements that fuel my creativity and guide my approach.
Improvisation: an art in its own right
Improvisation plays a central role in my photographic approach. When I shoot, especially for personal projects, I like to leave aside any rigid plan and let myself be carried away by the elements present at that precise moment. This allows me to capture the true essence of the structure I am photographing, focusing on the spontaneous interplay between light, shadow and shapes. This freedom helps me discover unique perspectives and innovative angles that reveal the character and soul of the buildings.
Creativity and Intuition: My Allies
By moving away from a strict pattern, I open myself to creativity and intuition. This allows me to react fluidly to the environment, the weather and even my own emotions. The resulting images are therefore more dynamic and authentic, far beyond conventional techniques. This flexible approach allows me to explore the unexpected, often with surprising and powerfully evocative results.
The Connection with Architecture
Rather than simply documenting a space, I seek to interact with it. When my instincts guide my framing, each photograph becomes a personal expression, a conversation between me and the structure. This personal aspect adds a unique dimension to my work, making it more captivating and truly reflecting my vision.
The Impact of Weather Conditions
Surprisingly, cloudy days are often my favorite for architectural photography. The diffuse light of an overcast sky brings a special mood and atmosphere, highlighting the textures, materials, and subtle forms of architecture in a way that direct light doesn’t always allow. The soft contrast and soft shadows create a contemplative and serene visual narrative.
The beauty of the unexpected
One of the most exciting aspects of working in unpredictable weather conditions is the challenge and opportunity it presents. It inspires me to be more creative and adaptive. Finding new and unexpected perspectives becomes a necessity, thus stimulating an inventive mindset. These less predictable conditions force me to explore angles and aspects that I might not have considered in good weather.
Exploring details and the environment
When preparing for an architectural photoshoot, I spend a lot of time exploring the details of the environment. I study the lines, the curves, the connections between the different elements of the interior design, and even how the structure fits into its surrounding context. This meticulous exploration allows me to better understand the intention behind the design and push my creativity to capture the message that the architecture wanted to convey.
The Influence of Lighting
Manipulating light, whether natural or artificial, is a crucial aspect of my photography. I am constantly drawn to how light can transform a space, creating distinct moods and accentuating specific features. Sometimes, a simple variation in lighting can reveal a completely new facet of the architecture, opening up endless possibilities for creativity.
Visual storytelling
Every architectural photography project tells a story. My goal is to weave together these visual narratives in a way that sparks the imagination and evokes emotions in the viewer. Whether it’s the majesty of an ancient building or the modernity of a contemporary construction, I strive to extract and present the unique narrative of each space.
The unexpected: an unexpected charm
Finally, I love when unexpected elements spice up a photograph, as was the case with the Canadian geese in one of my recent projects. As I was trying to compose the perfect image of Ottawa City Hall under an overcast sky, these geese added a touch of spontaneity and charm to the scene. This imponderable not only introduced a note of humor, but also broke the rigid uniformity of the architectural lines, bringing a balance between the structured and the disordered, between the predictable and the improvised. I often find that such surprises enrich my photographs and make them more human and accessible.
Conclusion: A Continuing Adventure
My journey as an architectural photographer is an ongoing adventure where every project, every structure, and every weather condition offers a new opportunity for inspiration. Whether it’s creative improvisation, the diffuse natural light of a cloudy day, or the minutely explored details, each element contributes to shaping my vision and technique.
Architectural photography is about more than just capturing images; it’s about engaging with structures, exploring nuances, and telling a story through each shot. It’s this unique perspective and passion for the unexpected that I hope shines through in my work and resonates with those who encounter it.
Ultimately, every photographic assignment is a source of learning and artistic enrichment. No matter the challenges or the unexpected, it is this relentless quest for beauty and originality that continues to feed my inspiration and shape my art.