建築攝影是一種特別的活計，它既需要攝影眼也需要特別的知識儲備。建築設計師花費數年時間將設計轉換成物理形態，攝影師必須幫助建築設計師講述建築的故事。
Photographing architecture is a specialty business, one that requires a trained eye and a unique knowledge base. Architects spend years bringing design to physical form, and the architectural photographer must help tell that story.
當然，挑戰在於創造性地使用光和透視來表現空間或結構的特徵和個性。在這個過程中高端設備不是必須的，但是入門確實需要對基礎知識有基本的瞭解。下面收集了一些專業人員每天工作的一些考慮因素。
The challenge, of course, is to creatively use light and perspective to represent the character and personality of a space or structure. High-end equipment isn’t a must, but getting started does require a basic understanding of the fundamentals. Collected here are some of the on-the-job considerations that the pros work with everyday.
1.全都在於透視It’s All About Perspective
建築有各種形狀和大小，但他們都與線條有關。拍攝精彩的照片就在於如何組織這些線條，並使用透視來吸引注意力並使建築變得生動。
Architecture comes in all the shapes and sizes, but it’s really about the lines. Taking great photos is about working with those lines, and using perspective to draw attention to detail and bring your subject to life.
雖然不是絕對的規則，但一般規則是保持垂線垂直於地平線。相機鏡頭會使透視扭曲。當你在建築前面構圖和拍攝的時候，垂直線會傾向於向內傾斜，匯聚於框架外的一點。透視線的匯聚可以用於強調和戲劇效果，但是爲了創建精確的展現，乾淨的幾何效果和直接的鏡頭是優先選擇的。
While not absolute, the general rule is to keep vertical lines vertical, and perpendicular to the horizon. Camera lenses distort perspective. When you point and shoot in front of a building, the vertical lines tend to slant inwards, converging at a point beyond the frame. Converging lines can be used for emphasis and dramatic effect, but to create an accurate representation a clean geometric, or straightforward, shot is preferred.
2. 向後走兩步Take A Few Steps Back
攝影師花很多時間四處尋找完美的相機位置。
Photographers spend a lot of time walking around in search of the perfect camera position.
大多數人會避免直接的、目光級別的鏡頭，這種角度會使圖像變得扁平、無聊。另一方面當鏡頭角度太低、太高、太左、太右的時候照片又會變得奇怪。講述空間的故事需要在創造性和實際的決定之間取得平衡。Most will avoid straight-on, eye-level shots. This angle tends to flatten images and produces boring uninteresting shots. On the other hand, things get weird and unpleasant when working angles that are too low or too high, or pointing too far right or left. Telling the story of space is always a balance between creative and practical decision-making.
在你自己和你的主題之間留出更多的距離可以增加視角來理順那些融合的線條。 從更高的有利位置拍攝附近的建築物，也有助於建立更逼真的主體高度視角。
Putting more distance between yourself and your subject adds perspective to straighten those converging lines. Shooting from a higher vantage point, such as a nearby building, also helps build a more realistic perspective of the subject’s elevation.
3. 穩定和水平Steady and Level
一個合適的三腳架可以使照相機與地平線平行，焦平面垂直於垂直線，這有助於控制透視。 三腳架可以穩定相機並減少噪點和模糊，這對提供清晰圖像是必不可少的。
A proper tripod allows you to level the camera parallel to the horizon and with the focal plane perpendicular to vertical lines, which helps to control perspective. A tripod is also essential for stabilizing the camera to reduce noise or blurriness and give sharp images.
4.長而寬
對於建築照片，目標是儘可能多地將背景細節放入框架中。這意味着使用可提供大景深和廣焦距的廣角鏡頭。攝影師通常依賴移軸鏡頭，可以在鏡頭內控制透視和會聚線。這些鏡頭價格非常昂貴，除非你是一名職業建築攝影師，否則絕對沒有必要。一個覆蓋16mm至70mm範圍內的標準變焦鏡頭可滿足大多數需求和預算。
For architectural photos, the goal is to fit as much background detail into the frame as possible. This means using wide-angle lenses that give a large depth of field and a long focal length. Photographers commonly rely on tilt-shift lenses that can control perspective and converging lines right within the lens. These lenses are expensive and absolutely not necessary unless you’re a working pro. A standard zoom lens that covers anywhere in the range of 16mm to 70mm will satisfy most needs and budgets.
5.完美的光線
光是建築攝影師必須理解和控制的一個挑戰。大多數建築攝影師都喜歡儘可能用自然光拍攝。幸好自然光很容易獲得，它有助於展示結構在其環境中的真實存在感。使用自然光的關鍵是確定拍攝日期的正確時間。Light is a challenge that must be understood and controlled. Most architectural photographers prefer to shoot with as much natural light as possible. Thankfully, natural light is readily available, and it helps show how structures truly exist within their environments. The key to working with natural light is determining the right time of day to shoot at.
正面光和背光是最不想要的光線，因爲這些光的角度減少了細節並使對象看起來平坦。側前光是理想的選擇。在建築物上有斜上45度角的光線時拍攝可以使表面細節生動，投射陰影並給出規模感。
Front lighting and backlighting are least preferred because these angles reduce detail and make subjects look flat. Side-front lighting is ideal. Capturing light at a 45-degree angle across the elevation of the building brings surface details alive, casting shadows and giving a sense of dimension.
高動態範圍（HDR）被專業建築攝影師廣泛使用。攝影師可以對相同的固定位置進行多次不同的曝光，然後使用編輯軟件將它們一起渲染，從而在一個圖像中實現更大範圍的動態範圍。
High dynamic range (HDR) is widely used by professional architectural photographers. Photographers can take several different exposures of the same fixed setup, and then render them together with editing software, making for a far greater range of light levels within one image.
專業人士可以敏銳地意識到天氣以及它將如何影響光線。明亮的陽光燦爛的日子產生對比強烈的光線，而陰天則產生更柔和的邊緣。太陽總是在移動的，根據一天中的不同時間和一年中的某一天，它可能對圖像產生截然不同的影響。像Sun Seeker這樣的應用程序可用於確定太陽與拍攝主體的相對方向。
Professionals are keenly aware of the weather and how it will affect lighting. Bright sunny days makes for hard contrasting light, while overcast clouds create softer edges. The sun is always on the move and depending on the time of day, and day of year, it can have drastically different effects on an image. Apps like Sun Seeker are useful for figuring out the sun’s position in relation to your subject.
日落前或日出前的1小時是拍攝的黃金時段。一小時的金色陽光和長長的陰影可以爲主體增添溫暖，深度和質感。根據可用的光源和頭頂天空，夜間可也以是拍攝的絕佳時間，但它確實需要一些特別的鏡頭和實驗。舞臺燈光也是一種選擇，但也需要另一層技術知識，並瞭解燈光如何影響鏡頭的顏色和溫度。
The hour right before sunset or before sunrise is the “golden hour” — a prime time to shoot. This is an hour of golden sunlight and long shadows that add warmth, depth, and texture to a subject. Nighttime can be a fantastic time to shoot depending on the available light sources and overhead sky, but it does takesome lens work and experimentation. Staged lighting is also an option, but also requires another level of technical knowledge and understanding of how the lights will affect the color and temperature of the shot.
6.顏色Color
在考慮顏色時，目標是保持建築物真實特徵。許多專業人士使用偏振濾鏡或color collaborators（我不知道這是啥，也許是校色用的色板）來獲得正確的顏色。人造燈可以扭曲顏色，因此在夜間或室內拍攝時要小心。（小知識：日光燈是綠色的）
When considering color, the goal is to remain true to the building and its character. Many pros use polarizing filters or color collaborators to get the right color. Artificial lights can skew color perceptions, so there is caution to be had when shooting at night or indoors.
7.簡單的構圖Simple composition
線條和圖案是建築的美學基礎。攝影師使用引導線引導觀衆在場景或主體上的注意力。爲了良好的構圖需要保持簡單專注於線條; 儘可能將它們指向角落。使會聚線保持垂直。水平上的構圖可以考慮三分法則。其實有無限的角度可供使用，在建築的四周轉轉將有助於創作更具創意和衝擊力。
Lines and patterns are the aesthetic basis of architecture. Photographers use leading lines to guide the viewers’ attention across the scene or subject matter. For good composition, keep things simple and focus on the lines; direct them towards the corners when you can. Vertically, think about those converging lines. Horizontally, think about the Rule of Thirds. There are infinite angles to work with, and walking around to explore will help compose more creative and impactful images.
規模也很重要，如果您需要給出一定的規模感，請考慮前景和背景，以及如何使用人或樹等對象製作參考物。
Scale is also important to consider. If you need to give a sense of size, think about the foreground and background and how you can make reference points out of objects like people or trees.
8.清理舞臺Clear the Stage
分散注意力的東西越少越好，有助於保持場景清潔。汽車和人會阻礙我們的工作環境。儘可能嘗試移動或尋求創造性的方式來裁剪或合併。垃圾或樹葉等較小的物品很容易整理，沒有這些雜物會使最終產品更好。
The less distraction the better, so it helps to keep the scene clean and clear of debris. Cars and people are frustrating environmental obstacles to work with. Try to move if you can, or seek creative ways to crop or incorporate. Smaller items like trash or leaves tidy easily, and their absence will make a difference in the final product.
9.注意反射Reflections Kill
花一點時間環顧四周，看看有什麼可能會反射你。鏡子和光亮的表面可能會產生不必要的反射破壞畫面，而且直到你回到家後纔會看到它們。
Take a moment to look around and see what might be looking back at you. Mirrors and shiny surfaces can ruin shots with unwanted reflections, and often these aren’t viewed until back at home.
10.拍攝後Post-Shoot
編輯軟件可以幫助糾正和增強光線、顏色甚至透視。但並非所有錯誤都是可以修復的，只有儘可能多地在現場和相機中完善作品才能成爲更好的攝影師。
Editing software is there to help correct and enhance light, color, and even perspective. But not all errors are fixable, and doing as much as possible onsite and in camera creates better photographers.
最後，請記住，耐心是一種美德。特別是對於建築來說訓練攝影眼需要時間。像任何熟練的藝術和手藝一樣，它是關於實驗，探索的，而且必須耐心通過經驗來學習。
And finally, keep in mind that patience is a virtue. It takes time to train the photographic eye, especially for architecture. Like any skilled art and craft, it’s about experimenting, exploring, and having the patience to learn through experience.