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Lines, shape, color, texture, and size.
Do you find yourself attracted to clean lines and gorgeous shapes? Or are you like me and prefer whimsical colors and unique designs?
I find it hard to pass by a charming door without photographing it.
Architectural photography is not just about snapping houses and buildings. It’s a way to tell a place’s story. And-Architecture will tell you about how people lived.
Look at the clean lines of a building and then look at what we do with these clean lines.
When I first traveled to Portugal, I was struck by the sight of houses with an overwhelming tangle of electrical wires crisscrossing in every direction.
It was impossible to discern which wire belonged to which house, creating a chaotic yet strangely fascinating visual. This same phenomenon greeted me in Cambodia and Brazil, where the intricate web of wires seemed to mirror the vibrant and complex life of the communities below.
In each of these places, the beautiful lines and architectural details of the buildings were interrupted by the practical necessities of daily life.
Yet, rather than detracting from the scene, these wires added a layer of authenticity and storytelling. They spoke volumes about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people, who found ways to make their environments work for them, despite the challenges.
Through the lens of architectural photography, these scenes offered a unique blend of beauty and realism. The stark contrast between the planned architecture and the spontaneous wiring underscored the dynamic interplay between tradition and progress, structure and improvisation.
Each photograph captured not just buildings, but the lived experiences and stories of the people who called these places home.
Architectural photography gives you a subject to photograph wherever you go. You will learn how home designs have changed from past to present to support their inhabitants and their lifestyles.
Architectural photography helps you understand a location’s economics and geography.
My interest in this type of photography has grown since I came to Portugal.
The houses in Monsanto, Portugal, were built very near huge boulders. The village seems to be inside boulders.
I was confused as to why they did this. I went during the colder months, and I thought that boulders created too much shade. Some houses had their walls right on the rocks, and I imagine that they were pretty humid during the winter months.
I probably wouldn’t give this too much thought if I weren’t interested in architectural photography.
When we look at how people live, we learn about their history. Traveling is more meaningful when we learn a little bit about history, geography, and the arts on our adventures.
Many of the buildings in Porto have tiled walls on the exterior walls.
Some tiles feature beautiful flowers, while other tiles are a solid color. The houses sparkle on sunny days.
A city guide told me that tiles are there for maintenance purposes, so the houses don’t have to be repainted every year. I don’t know if that’s true, but it sure makes the city stand out. Porto was the first place where I saw three-dimensional tiles on an exterior wall.
Do you ever wonder why fishing villages paint their houses white? I read that fishing villages are white so that sailors and fishermen can see them clearly from the ocean.
Some people state that people brightly painted their coastal homes so they could recognize it from the water. Other people told me the bright colors and the whitewash may have been to hide the quality of the building.
It was fun to investigate the questions surrounding the houses’ colors by the sea. I found out that some areas prefer whitewashes and others colorful houses.
Many Caribbean islands have colorful houses; Greek, Portuguese, and Italian coastal homes are mostly whitewashed.
I don’t have an answer, just more questions. Is it cultural? Economical? Aesthetics?
I went to a house in the Alentejo where one of the rooms only had one tiny window up high near the roof. The room was very dark. I asked the owner why, and they told me it was because of the harsh summers and humid winters.
Many front doors in Portugal have a bronze hand on them. They are known as Fatima’s Hand. This traditional knocker is said to represent protection. It’s beautiful and charming.
Architectural photography helps you investigate a new place, document unique details, and appreciate different cultures.
A Guide to Beautiful Architectural Photography Using Your iPhone
Masterclass Articles: A Complete Guide to Architectural Photography
Architecture in Monsanto: How I WentBack in Time by Marguerite
updated July 2024
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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