Evening star., 1949-10-09
Camera Angles
Study Helps Architectural Pictures
By Alexander J. Wedderburn

Study
By Alexander J. Wedderburn
cvrotor Of Photography
The Smithsonian Institution
Today, perhaps, you'll want to
take a picture Of your home-or
some other house or building that
attracts your Photographic eye.
You can shoot it, but we advise,
for best results. to 60 along with
the rules of architectural pohtog-
raphy.
Any one armed with a camera
these days can take picture OF
a building and come up with a
reasonable likeness-that's easy.
But a good architectural study Is
something else and it's just as
easy to put your pictures In this
classification If you follow the few
simple rules that apply.
Most common among faults
found in pictures Of buildings by
beginners are viewpoint errors,
bad judgement in selection Of
lighting. converging vertical lines
of the structure. and failure to
keep the building horizontal or
level with the ground. Other shots
could be much improved by simply
picking the right Alter.
Let's look at the viewpoint or
composition angle first. Too many
photographers are obsessed with
the idea that a house or building
must be photographed from di-l
rectly in front. AS q matter Of fact
this is seldom desirable. While
there many be instances, because
Of closely adjacent buildings,
where this is the only approach,
q view showing two sides Of the
building will be much more effec-
tive and attractive. Such an angle
will also lend a feeling of depth
or perspective to the scene.
Take . Look at It First.
II you intend to take a picture
of building take a good look at it
first. Not just from one or two
angles. but from as many as there
are. Walk all the way around the
building and study each view as an
individual picture. Then, by the
time you have finished this survey
you will have discovered that this
particular building, like any other
subject of photograph. has its best
features. There will be some one
view that will appeal to you more
than any of the others.
Perhaps you will decide to shoot
from one corner Of the building or
house because an overhanging tree
frames the subject nicely. Or q
winding path leading up to the
front or side porch may influence
your decision. Whatever may be
the reason for your selection Of
viewpoint or camera angle you will
Eventually decide to shoot from a
certain position to obtain the most
attractive view.
Once you "see" the subject this
way make sure that your camera
will see the picture in the same
way. Don't overlook the fact that
by just a Slight movement of your
eyes you can change the picture as
you see it. But once you snap the
picture with your camera there Is
little that can be done-particu-
larly If something has been left
out.
Then, once you have decided
which is the best viewpoint or
composition, get it recorded exact
ly the same way on film. First of
all get your tripod land you really
need one here) absolutely level.
If you have trouble doing this get
hold Of an inexpensive level that
can usually be found at the dime
store.
Get the Picture As You See It.
II the tripod is not properly
leveled. the building will be at
an angle to the horizon and the
ground line and all your work will
be in vains Once you are all set in
this respect, take q look through
your finder. If the picture you
see is not the one you saw with
your eyes. find out what the
trouble is and correct it. This
may require you to move your
camera forward q few feet or per-
haps q change to one side or the
other or q few feet back will do
the trick. Or you may need to-
raise or lower the tripod. II, for
some reason. you cannot move
backward with the camera then
you will need a supplementary or
wide angle lens to take the place.
of the one you normally use. If
you cannot move forward, to get
closer to the subject, then a "tele-
photo" lens will take care. of your
problem.
When shooting from a close
angle and the building is tall, you
may notice a converging of the
vertical lines Of the building with
consequent distortion. If you
have q bellows camera with a
rising and fitting front, you can
use the various camera move
ments to correct this condition.
But don't lose hope entirely il
yours is one Of the smaller types.
In many cases distortion Of this
type can be effectively corrected
In the darkroom during enlarge
ment by fitting the paper easel.
|, Lighting Is our next problem.
Too many photographers take that
old bromide about shooting with
the light over the shoulder too
seriously and act accordingly,
whether they are taking q portrait