Primer on Architectural Photography

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A PRI PRIMER MER ON ARC ARCHIT HITECTU ECTURAL RAL PHO PHOTOG TOGRAP RAPHY HY AND AN D THE PH PHOT OTO O DO DOCU CUME MENT NTAT ATIO ION N OF HISTORIC HISTOR IC STRUCT STRUCTURES URES by David David L. Ames, Ames, Center Center for Histor Historic ic Archit Architect ecture ure

his primer primer out outlin lines es the most most bas basic ic approach appr oach to photograph photographic ic docu documenmentation tatio n and provides the photo photograph graphic ic knowledge know ledge neede needed d to docume document nt histo historic ric struct structure ures. s. The firs firstt ste step p is tto o determi determine ne the minimu min imum m number number of v view iewss requ require ired d to do docucumentt a par men partic ticula ularr buildi building ng as well well as th thee  photographic equipment and information necessary nece ssary to take them.

T

THE ESSENTIAL ESSENTIAL VIEWS VIEWS

and Design Design,, Univer Universit sityy of Delawa Delaware re

They also suggest suggest certain certain attributes attributes of the building inferentially. inferential ly. The distribution distribution of doors and windows, for example example,, can sugges suggestt the interio interiorr floor floor pla plan. n. A sinsingle photogr photograph aph can include include most most of these these ele elemen ments. ts. If you you we were re al allo lowe wed d on only ly one phot photog ogra raph ph to docdocumen um entt an hist histor oric ic stru struct ctur ure, e, wh what at wo woul uld d it be? be? The  best choice would be a perspective showing the fron frontt and one side side of the buildi building, ng, wh when en ta take ken n from from a pos posit itio ion n 45 degree degreess from from th thee fron front. t. When When fram framin ing g th thee buildi building ng in the the vi view ewfi find nder er,, be sure that that th thee en enti tire re bu buil ildi ding ng is visi visibl blee in incl clud udin ing g th thee point point

The purp purpose ose of photogr photograph aphic ic docume documenta ntatio tion n of 

wh wher eree th thee build buildin ing g me meet etss th thee grou ground nd and and with without out

histor historic ic struct structure uress is to preser preserve ve as much much visual visual

clip clippi ping ng off off the pe peak ak of the roof or chim chimney ney..

inform informati ation on about about a struct structure ure in as few photogr photograph aphss

Althoug Alt hough h this this sounds obvious, obvious, beg beginn inning ing photog photograra-

as possibl possible. e. The photog photograp rapher her must must identi identify fy the

 phers are often seduced by buildings and attracted 

views views that that reveal reveal the most most informat information ion about about a

 by interesting details such as carpenter-cut jigsaw

struct structure ure.. In lookin looking g for that that view, view, you need need to think  think 

 porches, pointed Gothic windows, and Greek 

about abo ut the attribu attributes tes of a buil buildin ding: g: overal overalll shape, shape,

Reviva Rev ivall column columns. s. Unfort Unfortunat unately ely,,

size, size, and major archit architect ectura urall ele elemen ments ts such such as winwin-

tu ture ress so some meti time mess fa fail il to reco record rd a vie view w sh show owin ing g th thee

dows, dow s, doors, doors, constru constructi ction on materi materials als,, and archite architectu cturr-

ent entire ire str struct ucture ure ..

al orname ornamenta ntatio tion. n. Photog Photograp raphs hs often often directly directly indiindi-

To avoid avoid this this

cat catee constru constructi ction on materi materialal--Io -Iog, g, masonr masonry, y, or frame frame..

 problem, include

the result resulting ing pic pic--

the surroundings surroundings of the building, its site, site, and landscape context scape context.. As th thee su subj bjec ectt of the the  photograph,

the

 building should  oc occu cupy py ab about out 75  percent of the  picture area, lea leavin ving g the sursurroundi rou nding ng 25 perper If you were allowed only one photograph to document an historic hist oric struc structure, ture, the best choic choicee woul would d be a perspectiv perspectivee sho showin wing g thefra thefrant nt and o one ne side side oj the bui buildi lding ng The  James Stewart House, circa   1748,   Lancaster Lancaster County, County,

centt of the frame cen

Pennsylva Pennsy lvania nia All ph photo otogra graphs phs unless unle ss otherwise otherwise note noted  d 

about abo ut the context context of the building. building.

tak taken en by David David Ames Ames

to show visual visual information

The secon second d ph photo oto sho should uld be a pe perrspe specti ctive ve of the the rear rear and other side side of the building building.. These two perspecperspectiv tivee shots shots now comprehe comprehensi nsivel velyy do doccument the exterior exterior of the structure. structure. The slope slope of the hill dictate dictated d a verti verti-cal view to mainta maintain in perspectiv perspectivee contro con troL L The James James Ste Stewar wartt House House ....

 

If you were to take a sec second ond and third third pho phototogra graph, ph, what what would would they they be? The second second photog photograp raph h shou should ld be a pers perspe pecti ctive ve of the rear rear and and othe otherr si side de of  the building building"" These These two perspective perspective photograph photographss now compre comprehen hensiv sively ely

docume document nt the exte exterior rior of the

structu stru cture. re. The third third photog photograp raph h sho should uld docume document nt whatt archit wha architect ectss call call the front eleva elevation tion.. An elevatio elevation n is a draw drawing ing to scale scale of the side, side, front front,, or rear rear of a  building. Projecting features such as window and  doorr moldings, doo moldings, window window sill sills, s, steps, steps, and eves eves are all render rendered ed as if if they they were were totally totally flat An elevat elevation ion  photograph shows the true proportions of one side of a buildin building. g. Becaus Becausee that that sid sidee is parallel parallel to the

This interior interior shot shows shows the hierar hierarchic chical al order order of the the building buil ding,, Buttonw Buttonwood ood,, New Cast Castle le vicinit vicinity, y, Delawar Delaware, e,

film plan plane, e, approx approximat imatee measur measureme ements nts can be be taken taken

order ord er of import importanc ancee and then begin begin to photo photogra graph ph

from from the photo photogra graph. ph. In fact, fact, measur measured ed drawin drawings gs

the rooms rooms.. To gain gain informa information tion on the floor floor pla plan, n, set

can be taken taken from a ccare arefull fully y control controlled led elevat elevation ion

up the came camera ra to shoot shoot to towa ward rd th thee main doorwa doorway, y, if 

 photograph shot with a view camera.

 possible, with the door open to reveal the spaces and rooms rooms beyond beyond"" A three-v three-view iew sequen sequence ce might might

Whatt about Wha about interio interiors? rs? First, First, identi identify fy the major  major 

includ includee the entry entry hall, showing showing how rooms rooms open open off 

space, spa ce, room, or area area in the buildi building ng and then deterdeter-

of it, the the main formal formal room, room, and a func functio tional nal workwork-

mine how other spaces spaces are orga organiz nized. ed. Interio Interiorr phopho-

ing space space such such as the kitch kitchen. en. Three Three or four four views views

tograp tographs hs should should yield yield informat information ion about about the fl floor  oor   plan, Some structures, such as hangars, barns, and 

should be sufficie should sufficient nt to docum document ent the signific significant ant eleelements men ts of the the interio interior, r, rarely rarely more more than than seven seven or 

somee industria som industriall buildin buildings, gs, are arch architec itectura turall shells shells

eight.

enclos enc losing ing a space. space. For such a structure structure,, the first first  photograph would be taken hom a corner opposite the main main entrance entrance and shot shot diagona diagonally lly acr across oss the space. spa ce. As with exteriors exteriors,, the second second pho photog tograp raph h should sho uld be from from the opposi opposite te corner corner,, or shoul should d doc docuumentt an import men important ant elemen elementt of the the interior. interior.

The six essential essential photograp photographs: hs: 1) the the front front an and d one side; side; 2) the rear and one side; 3) the front front elevation elevation;; 4) environmen environmental tal view showing showing the building buil ding as part of its larger landsca landscape; pe; 5) major elements of the building, including doors, windows, additions; and  6) details, such as materials and hardware.  If planning to take more than six photographs, photographs,  first careful~ystudy careful~y study the building and make a list of  what should should be photogra photographed phed.. Rarely Rarely will it it take take more than fifteen fifteen photogra photographs phs to adequate adequately ly docudocument the exterior of a building. To say that a buildi building ng can be well well docume documente nted  d 

 A photo of hangars, barns, and some industri industrial al buildings buildings should shou ld yiel yield d some inf informa ormation tion about about its use" use" Wrigh WrighttPatterso Patt erson n Air Force Hangar, Dayt Dayton, on, Ohio Ohio"" P Photo hoto courcourtes tesyy of Davi David d Diesin Diesing, g, HAER HAER

Mostt interio Mos interiors rs of rresi esiden dentia tiall struct structure ures, s, for examexam-

with with six phot photogr ograph aphs-s--thre threee

exterio exteriorr and three three interiinteri-

or--may or-may sound sound hard hard to believ believee for indiv individu iduals als who shoot sho ot a 36-ex 36-expos posure ure rol rolll on an outing. outing. But, But, the purpur pose of photographic documentation is to be as comple com plete te yet as succinct succinct as possi possible ble"" The sequenc sequencee

 ple, are laid out in hierarchical order from the most importan impo rtant, t, most most formal, formal, most most elabor elaborate ate room, room, to th thee

of views views descri described bed here here can be used used for nearly all  photographic documentation of buildings, including

 plainer more functional rooms" First, determine the

the method method recomm recommend ended ed by HABS/H HABS/HAER AER and the 2

 

 National Register of Historic Places. Finally, when

umenta ume ntatio tion n of histo historic ric struct structure uress such such as tha thatt underunder-

approa app roachi ching ng a buildi building, ng, rememb remember er that that probably probably

tak taken en by HABS/H HABS/HAER AER,,

on only ly one photog photogra raph ph of the the build buildin ing g will will ever be

mentat men tation ion for the Nation National al Regist Register er of Histori Historicc

 published"   In   choo choosin sing g the view view to photog photograp raph, h, the

Places Pla ces and other other programs programs is done done with smalle smaller, r, less less

main main quest questio ion n to ask yours yoursel elff is what what one view view

elabor elaborate ate camera cameras. s. This This primer primer assume assumess the use of of a

yields yields the most most inform informati ation on about about that that str struct ucture ure??

smalle sma llerr camera camera tha thatt uses uses 35mm 35mm or 120 roll roll film.

TECHNICAL TECHNI CAL REQ REQUIS UISITE ITES S OF A GOO GOOD D ARCHIT ARC HITECT ECTURA URAL L PHO PHOTOG TOGRAP RAPH H AND FILM FORM FORMATS ATS A good architec architectur tural al photogr photograph aph is one one to which which the viewer viewer's 's reacti reaction on is, "What "What a great great building building!" !" not,, "What not "What a great great photograp photograph!" h!" The photogr photograph aphic ic tec techni hnique que should should be invisibl invisible, e, Such Such a phot photogr ograph aph meets mee ts four four tec techni hnical cal requir requireme ements nts.. First, First, vertical vertical lines lines that that are para paralle llell in the build building ing,, such such as the the exteri exterior or walls, walls, are parall parallel el in the photogr photograph aph,, Second, Sec ond, everyt everythin hing g in the the photog photograp raph h is in in sharp sharp focus foc us and clearl clearly y deline delineate ated. d. Third, Third, there there is as much much readabl readablee detail detail in the photogra photograph ph as possi possible ble.. Fourth Fou rth,, the pictu picture re includ includes es as much much of the the whole object being object being photog photograp raphed hed as possi possible ble..   In   photographi gra phicc ter terms ms the these se requirem requirement entss transl translate ate into into a need for depth depth of field, field, perspect perspective ive contro control, l, a large large negati neg ative, ve, and a lens lens with an adequate adequate angle angle of view, view,

most most photogr photograph aphic ic docudocu-

Let's Let 's sta start rt by sor sortin ting g out film film format formatss and camera camera types. typ es. Camera Camerass are built built to use use three three types types of film: film: 35mm 35m m film film perfor perforate ated d in a meta metall casset cassette; te; 120 roll roll film film measur measuring ing 6.2 cm wide; wide; and sheet film of varivarious sizes, sizes, common commonly ly four four by five inches. inches. The 35mm 35mm color color slide slide is the the smalle smallest st type type used and has become become the standar standard d presen presentat tation ion format format for gover governme nment, nt, indust ind ustry, ry, and educati education. on. Photog Photograp raphic hic docume documenta nta-tio tion n shot shot with with bla black ck and white white film film by preserva preservatio tionnists, ists, cultural cultural resour resource ce manage managers, rs, and archite architectu ctural ral histor historian ianss is done done chiefly chief ly with 35mm cameras cameras and to a lesser  extent extent,, with with roll roll film film camera cameras, s, also also called calle d mediummediumformatt cameras. forma cameras.

These The se requir requireme ements nts are best best met by a view view cam camera era usi using ng sheet sheet film measuri measuring ng four four by five inches, inches, or  fiv fivee by seven seven inches inches,, or someti sometimes mes as large large as eight eight  by ten inches. View cameras are generally built like ac acco cord rdio ions, ns, with with a lens lens in th thee fron frontt co conn nnec ecte ted d by a  bellows to a viewing screen in the back. Focusing is ac achi hieve eved d by movin moving g th thee lens forwar forward d or bac back k un unti till a

 Detail of door  showing show ing weatherweathering, mater materials ials,, and  history of locks history locks Clearfiel Clea rfield d Farm, Smyrna Smyrn a vicinity, vicinity,  Delaware,

sharp sha rp image image is seen on the viewmg screen, Wherea Whe reass the lar large ge negative negative and   perspective contro trols ls of view cameras eras are needed  needed  for the finest finest docdoc"What "Wh at a great  great  bui buildi lding' ng'"" The  photographicc  photographi techniqu tech niquee is iinvisnvisible" 14153rd   Avenue, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Th Thee two two basic basic ty type pess of 35mm 35mm ca came mera rass ar aree th thee view-finder viewfinder camera   and the   single-lens single-lens reflex camera.   On the view-f view-find inder er camera camera,, the image image seen seen

throug through h the viewf viewfind inder er above above the takin taking g len lenss only only approxi appr oximat mates es what what the pict picture ure will will be. Even the mostt sophis mos sophistic ticate ated d of this this type of camera camera suffer sufferss fro from m this this drawback. drawback. The single-l single-lens ens reflex reflex camera camera,, on the other other ha hand nd,, is desi designe gned, d, th thro rough ugh th thee use of a  prism and mirrors, to view the scene through the tak taking ing len lens, s, This allows allows the photo photogra grapher pher to frame frame the subject subject precis precisely ely and to tell tell how much every every  part of the scene, from foreground objects to the distan distantt backgro background und,, will will be sharp sharp or out out of focus" focus" Among Amo ng 35mm 35mm camera cameras, s, the singl single-l e-lens ens reflex reflex is the 3

 

 best choice for architectural photography and photo-

the buildi building. ng. On the view camera camera the lens is focused  focused 

graphicc documentatio graphi documentation" n"

at the the cente centerr of the the build buildin ing g op opti tica call lly y by a device device on th thee camera camera ca call lled ed a   rrising ising front.   The The le lens ns board board on

The most common common rol roll-f l-film ilm camera camerass are a sing singlelelen lenss reflex reflex camera camera and a twin twin-le -lens ns ref reflex lex camera camera.. Roll-f Rol l-film ilm camera camerass make make differ different ent-si -sized zed negativ negatives es us usin ing g th thee sa same me film film.. Th Thee most most commo common n is 2-1/ 2-1/4 4 inch inch by 2-1/4 2-1/4 in inch ch or 6 by 6 cm, produc producin ing g a squar squaree negativ nega tive. e. The largest largest is 2-1/4 2-1/4 inch inch by 3-1/4 inch or 6  by 7 cm" The larger size negative means that more detail detail is retai retained ned because because the negati negative ve needs needs les lesss enlargement. enlarg ement... Although roll-film roll-film or media-fo media-format rmat

the front front of the camera camera can be raised raised ..El ..Elevat evating ing the optica opt icall center center of the lens lens a few few millim millimete eters rs is equiv equiv-ale alent nt to raising raising the camera camera severa severall fee feet. t. The vie view w camera cam era has other other controls controls for conve converge rgence nce.. Some Some manufa man ufactu cturer rerss of 35mm 35mm sin single gle-le -lensns-ref reflex lex camera camerass makee perspecti mak perspective ve control control len lenses ses that accompl accomplish ish the samee task sam task as a risi rising ng front front on a view view camera camera,, For those without without a perspe perspecti ctive ve control control len lens, s, there

camera cam erass provid providee a large largerr negati negative ve which which is very very useuse-

are two ways to raise raise the optical optical center center of the cam-

ful, ful, the came cameras ras and lenses lenses are more more expensive expensive than than

era era"" One One way is to raise it literal literally ly by shooti shooting ng fro from m

35mm 35m m ones" ones"

the upper upper floor floor of a nearb nearby y buildi building. ng. This This is even

THE PHO THE PHOTO TOGR GRAPH APHIC IC CONTROLS

PR PROC OCES ESS S AN AND D

necess nec essary ary with with a rrisi ising ng fro front nt when shooti shooting ng very very tall  buildings in a city. The second way is to use a wider  an angl glee le lens ns and plac placee th thee bu buil ildi ding ng in the top of the

Th Thee imag imagee of an objec objectt being being pr proj ojec ecte ted d on the film film by the takin taking g len lenss is always always distor distorted ted in some some way.. The way The archit architect ectura urall photogr photograph apher er must must underunderstand stand what these these distor distortio tions ns are, are, how they they are creat creat--

DO  A

ed, and how to use use photogra photographi phicc contro controls ls to corre correct ct them them as much much as poss possib ible le"" On the othe otherr hand, hand, so some me commer com mercia ciall and fine fine arts phot photogr ographe aphers rs use thes thesee distor distortio tions ns as a creati creative ve tool. tool. Controlling Contro lling convergence. convergence.   Th Thee purp purpos osee of an

archit architect ectura urall photogr photograph aph is to to prese present nt a buildi building ng as

DO

B

it appear appearss to the eye. eye. Buildings Buildings stand stand at righ rightt angles angles to the ground ground and vertica verticall lin lines es in the buildi building ng appear appe ar parall parallel. el. Freque Frequentl ntly, y, in photogr photographs aphs,, buildbuildingss look ing look lik likee they they are leani leaning ng backwa backwards rds because because the vertica verticall lin lines es of the buildi building ng seem seem to converg converge. e. In order order for vertic vertical al lin lines es in the the buildi building ng to remain remain

c

 parallel on the film, the film plane must remain paralle allell to the buil buildi ding ng plan plane, e, but to inclu include de th thee to top p of  a buil buildin ding g in the ground ground glass glass or finde finder, r, often often the  photographer tilts the camera backward. Since optica call lly y th thee lens lens projec projects ts an upsi upside de do down wn imag imagee on the film, film, when the camera camera is tipp tipped ed backwa backwards rds,, the top of the the film frame frame is furth further er away away from from the buildi building ng than than th thee bottom bottom of the the fram frame, e, ca caus usin ing g th thee line liness to conver con verge ge in the the photog photograp raph h toward toward the top top of the  building. To comp complet letely ely correct correct for conver convergen gence, ce, the optica opticall ce cent nter er of the the le lens ns must must be focus focused ed on the the ce cent nter er of  the the bu buil ildi ding ng an and d th thee film film plane plane must must be paral paralle lell to

F IIG G U RE RE A

Figure   A   The eff effect ect oj rising rising fr front ont"" The rising rising front  front  adj adjust ustmen mentt can be used to alter alter the positi position on of the image image within within the bo board arders ers,, while while kee keepin ping g the lensbo lensboard ard and   film plane parallel. The drawing shows the image oja sub subjec jectt reposi repositio tioned ned thr throug ough h thi thiss len lenss shi shift, ft, (A) is unacunaccep ceptab table le bec becaus ausee the entire entire bui buildi lding ng cannot cannot be captu captured  red  by the lens" Tilti Tilting ng the camera camera to show show the entir entiree strucstructur turee creat creates es conver convergin ging g parall parallel el ver vertic tical al lin lines es (B).. (B).. But   if  the camera camera back back is kept kept ver vertic tical al and the rising rising fron front  t  adj adjust ustmen mentt use used d (C) (C),, no converge convergence nce will will occ occur ur and per per-spe specti ctive ve is rest restore ored, d, Ill Illust ustrat ration ion tak taken en from from Lahue Lahue et aI, aI,

Peters Petersen's en's Guide Guide to Archit Architect ectural ural Photogra Photography, phy,   Petersen Publishin Publ ishing g Company, Company,   1972,   pag pagee 7. 4

 

fra frame, me, and then then crop crop the foregr foregroun ound d when when pri printi nting ng

double dou ble the f~stop f~stop,, for instance instance fro from m f/8 to f/11, f/11, you

the photogr photograph aph ..As ..As such, such, one of the most import important ant

double dou ble the depth depth of field. field. The larger larger the aperture aperture,,

 photographic processes to understand is how the

the shallowe shallowerr will will be the are areaa in focus. focus. Contro Controlli lling ng

image ima ge is tran transmi smitte tted d throug through h the lens lens to the film film

depth dep th of field field is one one of the most importa important nt ski skills lls in

 plane. Also, another control for minimizing conver-

architectur archit ectural al photography. photography.

gence gen ce in an archit architect ectura urall photog photograp raph h lie liess in knowing knowing how to hold hold the camera. camera.

Whatt does this mean Wha mean in prac practic tical al ter terms? ms? It means means,, fo forr exampl example, e, th that at with with a widewide-ang angle le 28 28mm mm le lens ns on a

Controlling Controllin g sharpnes sharpnesss with focu focuss and depth depth-of-of field.   An image image is made made on film film by light light st stri riki king ng it

35 35mm mm ca came mera ra,, at   f/22   everyth everything ing fro from m 2.5 feet feet to

as tran transmi smitte tted d throug through h the lens lens fro from m the object object  being photographed. The amount of light reaching

ter speed speed contro controll the amount amount of light light enterin entering g the camera cam era sto stoppi pping ng down down to incre increase ase the depth depth of field  field 

the film film is contr controll olled ed by a combina combinatio tion n of the shutshut-

requir req uires es compen compensat sation ion for the loss loss of light light by usi using ng

te terr sp spee eed d an and d th thee si size ze of the the op open enin ing g in the the lens lens,,

a slower slower shutte shutterr speed speed and a tripod. tripod.

cal called led the apertu aperture re ..All ..All camera camerass have have a standa standard  rd   progression of shutter speeds from the slowest to the faste fastest. st. Each Each succes successiv sivee shutte shutterr speed speed set settin ting g is tw twic icee as fast fast as the the previo previous us on onee an and d ad admi mits ts ha half lf as much mu ch ligh lightt Th Thee sequ sequen ence ce,, defin defined ed,, in secon seconds ds is: is: 1, 1/2, 1/4,   1/8, 1/8, 1/15, 1/15, 1/25, 1/25, and 1/60, 1/60, continui continuing ng up to

the fast fastest est settin setting, g, which which is freq frequen uently tly 1/500 1/500 or  1/1000 1/1 000 ..In ..In photogr photograph aphy, y, the unit of measurem measurement ent of  ligh light, t, or the the doubl doublin ing g or halv halvin ing g of the the am amou ount nt of  lig light ht reachi reaching ng the film, film, is calle called d a stop. stop.

infini infinity ty can be in focus ..B ..Beca ecause use apertu aperture re and shutshut-

When Whe n the camera camera is handhand-hel held, d, the prereq prerequis uisite ite for sharpnes sharpnesss is to use use a shutter shutter speed speed fast fast enough to stop camera camera shake shake ..Human ..Humanss cannot cannot hold hold a camera camera ro rock ck-s -ste teady ady,, on only ly tripo tripods ds ca can n do that Even Even a very very slight slight camera camera shake shake can produc producee a subtle subtle degrad degradaation tion of an image image.. The The ru rule le of thum thumb b is that that the sh shut ut-ter speed should should be set at at 1/125 1/125 second, second, or highe higher, r, to assure assure sharp sharp images images with with a hand hand-he -held ld camera camera.. .. Since Sin ce tel teleph ephoto oto len lenses ses magnif magnify y an image, image, and they they also also magni magnify fy shake, shake, so a higher higher shutte shutterr speed speed of 

The light light transm transmitt itted ed throug through h the lens lens is also regreg-

1/250 1/2 50 second is recom recommen mended ded for use use with with tel teleph ephoo-

ulat ulated ed by varyi varying ng th thee si size ze of th thee lens lens op open enin ing g wh whic ich h

to lenses lenses ..Act ..Actual ually, ly, the there re is an inverse inverse focal focal len length gth

is cont control rolled led by expand expanding ing or cont contrac ractin ting g the ring ring of 

guide gui de for minimu minimum m shutter shutter speed speed for a hand-h hand-held  eld 

thin thin metal metal blades blades ..Le ..Lens ns openin openings gs also also follow follow a stanstan-

ca came mera ra::

dard dar d progre progressi ssion on from from the larges largestt to the the smalle smallest, st,

invers inv ersee of the the focal len length gth of the the lens, (this (this applies applies

with wit h each each smalle smallerr opening opening allowi allowing ng half half as much much

on only ly to 35mm 35mm ca came mera ras) s) so tha thatt one can can use use a slowe slower  r 

lightlight--on -onee stop. stop. The settin settings gs on the the lens barrel barrel fro from m

shutte shu tterr speed speed with with wide-a wide-angl nglee len lenses ses tha than n with

the largest largest openin opening g to the smallest smallest are in a sequenc sequencee

longer lon ger ones ones ..For ..For exampl example, e, shooti shooting ng with with a 28mm 28mm

of f/1. f/1.0, 0, f/l f/l.4, .4, f/2 f/2.0, .0, f/3.5 f/3.5 and upward upward to f/22 f/22 or f/32 f/32

lens, lens, you could could use a shutter shutter speed speed of 1/125 1/125 second second--

and sometim sometimes es higher higher dependi depending ng on the the lens. lens. The

-theoretically.

th thee minim minimum um sh shut utte terr spee speed d sh shou ould ld be the the

apparentl appare ntly y odd progr progress ession ion of number numberss is based based on the the form formul ulaa fo forr th thee area area of a cir circl cle. e. Re Reduc ducin ing g th thee siz sizee of the aperture aperture or incre increasi asing ng the shutter shutter speed  speed  is called called stoppi stopping ng down. down. In additio addition n to its effec effectt on the amount of light light enteri entering ng the camera camera,, the size size of the apertur aperturee helps helps to de dete term rmin inee ho how w much much of the image image in the the ph phot otoograph gra ph is in sharp sharp focus focus ..Meas ..Measure ured d from from near near to far  far   between foreground and background, the area or  zonee which zon which is in sharp sharp focus focus is called called the depth-o depth-offfield. field. The smaller smaller the apertu aperture, re, (remem (remember ber that that the lar larger ger number number means means smalle smallerr apertu aperture) re) the more more of  th thee fore foregr groun ound d and back backgr grou ound nd will will be in focus focus,, or 

 Example ojusing a longer lensfor inaccessible detail.  Buttonwood, New Castle vicinity, Delaware.

the greater greater the depth depth of field field.. In fact, fact, each time time you 5

 

 Lenses and angle of view.   Lense Lensess contro controll the

width of the scene width scene that that will will appear appear on the film. film. Lenses Len ses are classi classifie fied d by their angle: angle: wide-a wide-angl ngle, e, normal nor mal,, and teleph telephoto oto.. The angle angle of view view of the the human hum an eye is about about 50 to 55 degreesdegrees--th -that at is, the the angle ang le of what what you can see from from the left-t left-to o right right -of-ofcenter cen ter as you you look look straig straight ht ahead. ahead. The lens approx approxiimating mat ing this this angle angle of view view for a partic particula ularr format format is the normal normal len lenss for that that format format.. Lenses Lenses are specifi specified  ed 

 A wide angle lens is necessaryfor  shooting shoo ting inte interior riors. s. This photo photo was taken take n with the equiva equ ivalen lentt oj a 24 mm le lens ns on a 35 mm came camera" ra" Mt.  Jone~ Mcl)onough vicinity, l)elaware,

in terms terms of their their focal len length gth in millim millimete eters, rs, A 50mm 50m m len lens, s, for example example,, is the the normal normal len lenss for a

sel select ected ed by open-

35 35mm mm ca came mera ra,, an and d a 150mm 150mm is the the norma normall le lens ns fo for  r 

ing the aperture aperture

a4 4x5 x5 inch view view camera camera.. The longer longer the focal focal len length gth

until unt il a needl needlee in

of a lens lens the greate greaterr the magnify magnifying ing power. power. Lenses Lenses

the viewfinder 

that that have a wide widerr than than normal normal viewin viewing g angle, angle, 65

matche mat chess the shut-

degree deg reess or more, more, are called called widewide-ang angle le len lenses ses.. Lenses Len ses with with narrow narrower er angle angle of view, view, 35 degree degrees, s,

ter speed" speed" Also useful use ful is an aperaper-

which whi ch magnify magnify images images are cal called led tel teleph ephoto oto lenses lenses""

ture-p ture-pref referr erred ed form form of semisemi-aut automa omatic tic exposu exposure re

Most archite architectura cturall photography photography requires requires wide-angle wide-angle

contro con trol, l, in which which the apertur aperturee is chose chosen n to assure assure

len lenses ses--2 --28 8 mm to 35 mm --most --most freque frequentl ntly y ones ones

depth dep th of fiel field. d. The camera camera aut automa omatic ticall ally y select selectss the

with wit h about about a 65 or 75 degree degree angleangle-of~ of~vie view. w. A

correct corre ct shutter shutter speed" speed" Fully Fully automatic automatic cameras cameras

90 90mm mm le lens ns provi provide dess th thee sa same me an angl glee of view view fo forr a 4x5 inch inch view view camera camera,,

should not be used should used unless unless the automa automatio tion n can be turned turne d off or overridden. overridden.

In consid consideri ering ng len lenses ses of a partic particula ularr focal focal len length gth,,

The camera camera must must have have interc interchan hangea geable ble len lenses ses,,

the phot photogr ograph apher er must must examin examinee fixed fixed focal length length or 

The most useful useful arc archit hitect ectura urall len lenss is one with a 75

 prime lenses. Another type, of course, is zoom lens-

degree deg ree angle angle of cover coverage age which which is a 28mm 28mm len lenss for 

es in whic which h th thee foca focall leng length th of a len lenss ca can n be

a 35mm 35mm ca came mera ra,, ab abou outt 50 50mm mm le lens ns fo forr a 2-1/ 2-1/4 4 in inch ch

change cha nged, d, effect effective ively ly provid providing ing severa severall len lenses ses in one. one.

ro roll ll film camer camera, a, an and d a 90mm 90mm fo forr a 4 4x5 x5 mm. mm.

A stand standard ard zoom zoom len lenss that that comes comes with with many many camcam-

Althou Alt hough gh fairly fairly wide, wide, it is a very very versatil versatilee len lens" s" It It is

eras eras is a 35mm 35mm to 80mm zoom, Wide-an Wide-angle gle zoom zoom len lenses ses,, fro from m 24mm 24mm to 50mm, 50mm, for examp example, le, can be

wide enough wide enough to phot photogr ograph aph lar large ge str struct ucture ure fro from m fairly fairly clo close se up--su up--such ch as a hang hangarar--or -or in crampe cramped  d 

very ver y useful useful for archit architect ecture ure photog photograp raphy. hy. Zoom Zoom

lo loca cati tion ons, s, such such as on a city city stre street et It is also also wide

len lenses ses,, howeve however, r, have have severa severall disadv disadvant antage agess comcom-

enough eno ugh to handl handlee most most interi interiors ors"" As mentione mentioned d ear ear--

 pared to prime lenses. They are generally not as

lie lier, r, it is also also wide wide enough enough to provi provide de some some degree degree

sharp, sha rp, and they they are slower slower,, meanin meaning g they they don't don't

of persp perspect ective ive contro controll by holding holding the camera camera lev level el

admit adm it as much much lig light ht when when opened opened ful fully. ly. This This limits limits

and placin placing g the build building ing at the the top of the frame" frame"

their use in low-light low-light situations situations ..Most ..Most professiona professionall arc archit hitect ectura urall photog photograp rapher herss prefer prefer prime prime len lenses ses.. Choosi Cho osing ng a came camera, ra, len lenses ses,, and a tripod tripod..   Other 

The second second most most useful useful len lenss would be a 35mm 35mm len lens, s, a very very modera moderate te wide wide angle angle for 35mm camera camera,, 65mm 65m m len lenss for 2-114 2-114 camera camera,, and 121mm 121mm len lenss for a

than than the view camera camera,, the most most useful useful 35mm 35mm or 

4x5 view camera camera.. Also, Also, 35mm 35mm and 28mm 28mm are the the

medium med ium-fo -forma rmatt

 phy is one that has a built-in through-the-Iens light

focal len focal length gth of most most perspec perspectiv tivee contro controll len lenses ses manmanufactu ufa ctured red for 35mm camera cameras" s" As a third third len lens, s, a

meter met er and an elect electron ronic ic shutte shutterr that that allows allows for expoexpo-

modera mod erate te tel teleph ephoto oto from from about about 80 to 105mm 105mm can be

sur sures es of several several second seconds. s. The simplest simplest mode mode of 

useful use ful for photog photograp raphin hing g ina inacce ccessi ssible ble detail detailss such such

determ determini ining ng exposu exposure re with with a builtbuilt-in in meter meter is a match-nee matchneedle dle system system.. In this this system system the shutter  shutter 

as corni cornices ces and chimne chimney y sta stacks cks..

camera camera for archi architec tectur tural al photog photograra-

speed spe ed is firs firstt chosen chosen and then then the apertur aperturee settin setting g is

In archite architectu ctural ral photog photograp raphy hy a trip tripod od is as impor impor-tant as the camera., camera., All view cameras require require tripods, tripods, 6

 

 but tripods are as important for smaller cameras as

A slow slow film film requir requires es a lot of light light,, and a fast film

for larger larger cameras. cameras. First, First, in order order to assure assure that that the

requir req uires es less. less. Films Films are given given a film film speed speed rating rating

film film plane plane is paral parallel lel to the buildi building, ng, the camera camera

cal called led an ISO ISO with with the slowest slowest bei being ng rated rated at ISO ISO

mustt be leveled. mus leveled. Second Second,, fra framin ming g an archit architect ectura urall

25 and the fastest fastest at 1600 1600 or more. more. The differ differenc encee

view view is a contem contempla plativ tivee exerci exercise se becaus becausee one is trytry-

 between slow and fast films is that slow films have

ing to includ includee as much much visual visual informati information on about about the

a finer finer grain grain and produce produce sharpe sharperr photogr photographs aphs..

 building as possible, and the ground glass needs to

Grai Grain n is wha whatt yo you u se seee when a subjec subjectt in a photo photo--

 be carefully studied ..Third, once the view is select-

graph gra ph tha thatt should should be smooth smooth and featu featurel reless ess,, such such as

ed ed,, th then en ca came mera ra ad adju just stme ment ntss ha have ve to be made, made, su such ch

a blue blue sky, sky, has has a detec detectab table le speckl speckled ed pat patter tern n in it

as pers perspec pectiv tivee contro control, l, rising rising fro front, nt, or depth depth of field  field  which whi ch requires requires choosin choosing g the righ rightt combinati combination on of 

The finer the grain grain in the the negative negative,, the more detail detail the there re will will be in the final print. One of the major 

shutte shu tterr speed speed and apertur aperture. e. Fourth Fourth,, the small small aperaper-

advanta adva ntages ges of lar larger ger format format camera camerass over 35mm 35mm is

tures tures requi required red for adequ adequate ate depthdepth-ofof-fie field ld (being (being

th that at th thee negati negative ve does does no nott ne need ed to be enlar enlarge ged d as

especi esp eciall ally y import important ant when when photograp photographin hing g

much mu ch to pro produc ducee an 8xlO 8xlO inch inch pr prin intt The The gr grea eatt

interi interiors ors))

requ requir iree sh shut utte terr sp spee eeds ds to too o sl slow ow for the camera camera to be

ad adva vant ntag agee of 4x5 4x5 an and d 5x7 sheet sheet film film is not not on only ly th that at

hand-he hand -held ld ..And ..And finall finally, y, low light light lev levels els,, almost almost

enlarg enlargeme ements nts are nearl nearly y grainl grainless ess even even at grea greatt

always alw ays encoun encounter tered ed in inte interio riors, rs, often often require require slo slow w

enlarg enlargeme ement, nt, but that that portion portionss of the negativ negatives es can

shutte shu tterr speeds speeds as well. well.

 be easily enlarged.

Because it is is archival archival and color color fil film m is not, not,  Film.   Because

Black Bla ck and white white fil films ms are cate categor gorize ized d as slow

 black and white film is required for photographic

films films (below (below ISO 100), 100), mediu medium-s m-spee peed d films films (aroun (around  d 

documen docu mentat tation ion of hist histori oricc struct structure ures. s. Also, Also, many many

ISO 100), 100), fast fast films films (IS (ISO O 400), and ultra ultra-fa -fast st films films

 photographers

(over (ov er ISO 400). 400). A numb number er of blac black k and white white films films

argue that black and white film is a

 better medium than color for capturing architectural

on the market market have have a variet variety y of characte characteris ristic ticss

struct structure ure and form form becaus becausee it is is more more abstra abstract ct

 beyond grain and sharpness ..This primer recom-

Black Bla ck and white white films films are rated rated accord according ing to their  their 

me mends nds Ko Kodak dak TT-Ma Max x IS ISO O 10 100 0 and and ISO 40 400 0 film filmss

speed, spe ed, which which is the the measure measure of how how much much lig light ht is

for two two rea reasons sons.. First, First, film manufact manufacture urers rs have have

neede nee ded d to get onto th thee film film in order order to get an imag imagee ..

madee great mad great progre progress ss in reduc reducing ing grain grain in rece recent nt yearss with year with what what are called  called 

So Some me Co Comm mmon on Black Black and and Wh Whit itee Fi Film lm Types Types  Film

 ISO

Grain Resol Resolution ution

Kodak Kod ak Techni Technical cal Pan

25

Ultra -fine/Ultra -high

Ilford Ilford Pan F Kodak Kod ak High High Speed Speed Infrar Infrared  ed  Koda Kodak k T-Ma T-Max x 100 Ilf Ilford ord FP4 FP4 Plus Plus Ilf Ilford ord Delta 100 Kodak Plus-X Plus-X Kodak Tri-X Professional Professional Kodak Tri-X Kodak Kod ak T-Max T-Max 400 Ilf Ilford ord HP5 Ilf Ilford ord Delta Delta 400

50 80 100 125 100 125 320 400 400 400 400

Extremely Extre mely -fineNery -high Fine/Medium ExtremelyExtre mely- fineNery- high Extremely Extre mely -fine/High -fine/High Extremely- fitle/High Very-fine/High· Fine/High Fine/High Fine/High Fine/High Fine/High

 Notes.: The slower the ISO, generally thefiner

the grain and contrast. Also,

"new techn technolo ology gy fil films" ms" and  the these se are the most most graingrain-fre freee films available ..T-Max ..T-Max is Kodak's Kod ak's new technolo technology gy film. Ilford's Ilford's new technology technology fil films ms are call called ed Delta Delta 100 and 400. 400. Second, Second, in the United Uni ted States States,, the film film proprocessin ces sing g indust industry ry has standardiz dar dized ed on T-Max T-Max fil films, ms, thuss assuri thu assuring ng tha thatt nearly nearly all lab labss are equipp equipped ed to process process T-Max. Which Whi ch fil film m should should you use?? With use With 35mm medium medium for format mat camera camera,, T-Max T-Max 100 willl yield excell wil excellent ent 8xlO 8xlO

thes thesef efil ilms ms ar aree offe offere red d in al allf lfor orma mats ts.. Sheer SheerfU fUms ms ar aree gen gener eral ally ly offe offere red d in 4x5, 4x5, 5x7, and 8xlO 8xlO sizes sizes and can fre freque quentl ntlyy be obtain obtained ed in smal smaller ler or larger larger sizes or by special special orde orderr by the manufa manufactu cturer rer..

 prints ..Remember, .. Remember, however, tha thatt small small apertures apertures to gain 7

 

depth dep th of field field,, especi especiall ally y for inter interior iors, s, will will make the film effecti effectively vely slower, slower, necessitat necessitating ing slow shutter  shutter  speeds spe eds and a tripod tripod.. On the other other hand, hand, aT-Ma aT-Max x 400 film can be a good good choice choice in those those unfort unfortuna unate te cir circum cumsta stance ncess when when you must must record record a numb number er of   buildin-gs-in-a short period" However, an ISO 400 film film can be almost almost too fast for very bright bright sunny sunny days. day s. Consid Consider er the "Sunny "Sunny f/16 f/16 Rule" Rule" for exposu exposure. re. On a sunny sunny day you can calcul calculate ate the correc correctt expoexposure sure (withou (withoutt a mete meter) r) by setting setting your your apertu aperture re at f/16 f/16 and your your shutte shutterr speed speed at the the ISO rating rating of the the fil film m over over one. one. Thus, the correc correctt exposu exposure re for an ISO ISO 400 film on a sunny sunny day is 1/400 1/400 at f/16 f/16 or, in in terms terms of shutte shutterr speeds speeds availa available ble on the the camera camera,, 1/500 1/500 at f/1 f/16. 6. For some some camera camerass this this is almos almostt at the the mechan mec hanica icall limit limit of the camera camera for highe highest st shutte shutter  r  speed and smallest smallest aperture" aperture" Many photograph photographers ers find find a film speed speed of ISO ISO 20 200 0 to be more more us usef eful ul an and  d  so will will "r "rat ate" e" an and d shoot shoot an ISO ISO 40 400 0 film film at 200. 200. Practi Pra ctical cally, ly, this this means means settin setting g the ISO dial on the camera cam era at 200" This This requir requires es a slight slightly ly reduce reduced  d  developme develo pment nt of the the negati negative ve to compe compensa nsate te for the the overex ove rexpos posure ure,, which which most most lab labss will will do on reque request. st. It als also o produces produces a llowe owerr contra contrast st negati negative ve that that can be very ver y helpfu helpfull sin since ce the lightin lighting g in many many archit architect ectura urall situations situa tions is very very contrasty contrasty..

THINKING THINKI NG PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPHICALL ICALLY Y To concl conclude ude,, automa automatic tic camera camerass are not appropr appropriiate for photog photographi raphicc documenta documentation tion of archite architectur cture" e" For starter starters, s, when when you use an automa automatic tic camera camera you ten tend d to turn turn off your your brain" brain" Good Good archit architect ectura urall phophotograp tog raphy hy and photog photograp raphic hic docume documenta ntatio tion n melds melds a knowledge knowle dge of archi architec tectur turee with with an unders understan tandin ding g of  the signifi significan cantt featur features es of a build building ing and the photophotographicc proces graphi process" s" You must must think think about about lig light, ht, depthdepthofof-fie field, ld, and about about what what will will photogra photographi phical cally ly capcapture ture the arch archite itectu ctural ral and hist histori orical cal signif significa icance nce of  the build building ing.. Not only do you lose lose contro controll of your  your  materi mat erials als with with an automa automatic tic camera camera,, you lose your  opportunit oppor tunity y to think think through through the relati relationshi onship p  between the film and the building" Ok, it's time to hit the field!  David L. Ames is the Director of the Center for Historic  Architecture and Design and Professor in Urban Affairs and  Public Pub lic Pol Policy icy and Geograp Geography, hy, Univers University ity of Dela Delawar ware, e,

SITY

~ ~

 

OF

E IA W A R E

  College of Urban Affairs and    Publi.cPolicy, Center.for Historic Architecture and DeSign

GLOSSARY  Aperture:   The amount amount of ligh lightt reachin reaching g the film film is contro con trolle lled d by a comb combina inatio tion n of the the shutter shutter spe speed ed and  the size size of the opening opening of the lens. lens.  Depth of Field:   The range around around a partic particula ularr poi point nt of  focus focus that that is rende rendered red as accep acceptab tably ly sha sharp rp in a phot photoogra graph, ph, Depth Depth of field field varie variess with with the f/stop f/stop..

number that that expresse expressess the size size of the lens F/stop:   The number openmg ope nmg relati relative ve to focal focal len length gth,,  Large Format:   Any camera camera that that is intend intended ed to use with with film film 4 x 5 inche inchess or larger larger.. ..

camera that that uses 120 size size roll roll  Medium Format:   Any camera film film,, Th Thee form format at is bet betwe ween en 35 mm an and d 4 x 5 in si size ze,, Perspective Perspect ive Control Control (PC) lens: lens:   A specifically des design igned ed len lenss that that mimics mimics view view camera camera perspe perspecti ctive ve contro con troll moveme movements nts,, and is inten intended ded to be used used with with singlee lens reflex singl reflex cameras. cameras. Si Singl nglee Lens Lens Ref Reflex lex::   A camera camera des design ign,, incorpo incorporat rating ing a mirror mirror and a pnsm pnsm,, that that allows allows the photog photograp rapher her to see see in the the viewfind viewfinder er whatev whatever er the takin taking g len lenss see sees" s"

lens of a longe longer-t r-than han-no -norma rmall focal focal Telephoto Telep hoto Lens: Lens:   A lens len length gth with with a rel relati ativel vely y sho short rt physic physical al len length gth Not all long long len lenses ses are of tele design, design, View Camera: Camera:   A came camera ra des design ign that that all allows ows the photograp tographer her to manip manipula ulate te variou variouss opt optica icall parame parameter terss by alteri altering ng the re relat lative ive orient orientati ation on of a film film back and a len lenss linked linked toget together her by flexib flexible le lightlight-tig tight ht bellow bellows. s. The image, image, is viewe viewed d on a ground ground glass glass scr screen een in the film back 

which the focal focal len length gth can be  Zoom Lens:   A lens in which cha change nges, s, eff effect ective ively ly providi providing ng sev severa erall len lenses ses in one" This publication publication was funded by the Legacy Program Program of the United Unite d States States Air Force, the National National Park Service, Service, and the  National Council for Preservation Education The Univers University ity of Delaw Delaware are is comm committe itted d to aassu ssurin ring g equ equal al opp opport ortuunity nity to all person personss and does does not discri discrimina minate te on the the basis of race, race, col color, or, gen gender der,, religio religion, n, anc ancestr estry, y, nat nation ional al origin origin,, sex sexual ual orient orientatio ation, n, vet vetera eran n sta status tus,, age age,, or disabil disability ity in its educ educatio ational nal pro progra grams, ms, activi activities ties,, adm admisissio sions, ns, or employ employmen mentt practi practices ces as requir required ed by Title Title IX of the Education Education Amendment Amendm entss of 1972, 1972, Sections Sections 503 and and 504 of the the Rehabil Rehabilitat itation ion Act of 197 1973, 3, Titles Titles VI and VII of the the Civil Rights Rights Act of 196 1964, 4, the America Ame ricans ns with Disabi Disabiliti lities es Act, Execu Executive tive Ord Orders ers 112 11246 46 and 11375, 11375, and other other applicabl applicablee sta statue tues, s, Inq Inquir uiries ies con concer cernin ning g Title Title IX, Section Section 503 and 504 compl complian iance, ce, Exe Execut cutive ive Ord Order er 112 11246 46 and inform informati ation on reg regard arding ing campus campus access accessibi ibility lity and Title Title VI should should be refened refened to the the Affirma Affirmativ tivee Action Action Dire Director ctor,, 305 Hullih Hullihen en Hall, Hall, 302 302/83 /831-2 1-2835 835,, 302 302/83 /831-4 1-4552 552 (TDD) The activi activity ty that that is the subjec subjectt of this this docume document nt has been been fin financ anced ed in  part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of  the Interio Interiorr Howeve However, r, the conten contents ts and opini opinions ons do not neces necessari sarily ly reflect reflect the views views and polici policies es of tthe he Depart Departmen mentt of the the Interior Interior,, nor  does does the mentio mention n of ttrad radee nam names es or comme commercia rciall pro produc ducts ts con constit stitute ute endors endorseme ement nt or rreco ecomme mmenda ndation tionss by tthe he Depar Departme tment nt of the Interi Interior  or  Thi Thiss program program receiv received ed fed federa erall fin financ ancial ial assista assistance nce for identi identifica ficatio tion n and protect protection ion of histor historic ic pro proper perties ties,, Und Under er Title Title VI of the the Civil Rights Rights Act of 1965 and Section Section 503 of the the Rehabil Rehabilitat itation ion Act of 1973, 1973, the United United States States Depar Departmen tmentt of tthe he IInte nterior rior pro prohib hibits its dis discrim crimina ination tion on the the  basis of race, color, national origin, or handicap of its federally assisted   programs, If you believe you have been discriminated against in any  program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further  inform informatio ation, n, please please writ writee to: Office Office of Equal Equal Opp Opportu ortunit nity, y, United United States States Dep Departm artment ent of tthe he Interio Interior, r, Washin Washingto gton, n, DC 20240 20240

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