Looking Up: Discovering Architectural Photography
Until recently, I wasn’t particularly interested in photographing buildings. Then one day, while disappearing down one of those inevitable internet rabbit holes, I came across Kathy Wallace’s website and her stunning architectural photographs. Kathy mentioned that anyone interested in joining her for a photography workshop should send her a message—so I did. Last week, that workshop finally happened.
I was very pleasantly surprised just how enjoyable the architectural photography was. I’m not especially drawn to taking straightforward, literal photographs of entire buildings. What appeals to me are the more abstract interpretations: isolating shapes, lines, curves and patterns; looking for symmetry and repetition; layering one structure against another; and using glass, metal and reflections to distort familiar forms.
Hard midday light, which can be so unforgiving in many other forms of photography, becomes an advantage. Strong sunlight creates bold shadows, crisp edges and graphic contrast. Best of all, there is no need to drag yourself out for a 5 a.m. sunrise. Architectural photography in the middle of the day feels wonderfully civilised.
After walking around the city with Kathy, another important lesson became very clear: look up. Some of the most interesting compositions were directly above us, where buildings, staircases and structures converged against the sky. Of course, spending hours staring upwards can give you a very sore neck—but alas, we must all suffer for our art.
I also experimented with black and white, stripping away the colour so that the lines, patterns and forms became the main focus. In my landscape and wildlife photography, I love creating sunbursts, so I was delighted to discover that architectural photography offered plenty of opportunities for them too. My first sunburst of the day was created here.
Do you prefer this shot with the blue sky or white?
Looking up at the blue sky and buildings, with the fun distorted images in the curved mirrors.
Standing beneath the undulating, polished metal and looking up at the surrounding buildings was like viewing the city through a beautifully shaped opening. Do you prefer the black and white or coloured version?
My second favourite location was the AMP Building, with its gorgeous white stacked form and the fantastic yellow metal sculpture outside. Photographing through the maze of flowing yellow shapes was great fun, and I loved the way the sculpture framed and intersected with the building.
As an added bonus, the AMP Building also had a beautiful spiral staircase inside.
I have always been attracted to images of spiral staircases with their sweeping curves, repeating lines and ever-tightening shapes. Depending on where you stand, the same staircase can become a perfect spiral, an abstract pattern or a dramatic tunnel drawing the eye through the frame.
It was while photographing this ornate heritage staircase inside The Lands by Capella, formerly Sydney’s Department of Lands Building, that I learnt something ‘not so good’ about Architecture Photography. Security Guards appear out of nowhere and escort you out of the builiding. The crime, it seems, is using a big camera as people taking photos with their phones are fine.
Still, I managed to capture this charming, old-world staircase before our abrupt departure. It is not quite a true spiral, but the repeating levels create a wonderful sense of depth, while the wrought-iron latticework, polished timber handrails and delightful black-and-white tiles give it enormous character.
This stunning sculptural staircase inside Quay Quarter Tower, formerly Sydney’s AMP Centre, was one of my favourites from the day. I loved its irregular spiral, the sweeping white curves and the beautiful dark timber steps. The hanging lights echoed the shape of the staircase and drew the eye deeper into the image, creating a wonderfully fluid and almost hypnotic composition.
Outside Salesforce Tower was a striking sheet of black metal punctuated with holes of different sizes. It looked absolutely brilliant, particularly surrounded by so many colourful, reflective buildings.
Nearby, the EY Building offered a completely different collection of shapes and textures. I loved the warm timber panelling and the way the sunlight formed circles across the structure.
In such a small area, there was an extraordinary amount to see and photograph: textured façades made from repeating triangles, sculptural metal trees projecting from the buildings, and stairways creating strong leading lines towards colourful spaces.
For some of these images, I deliberately intensified the colour and aimed for a slightly cinematic feel.
Even buildings with completely different styles, materials and shapes looked fantastic when brought together within the same frame.
I had such a good time with Kathy Wallace, that I booked another session.
Below is a selection of photos from the day.
