Pointers in capturing buildings and trees

[blackgold]

Hi guys,

I've always fancy capturing shots of buildings (particularly buildings with historical values) even though I am not active about it. Just last weekend I decided to take some shots and have attached them here for your comments.

I like to seek your comments and advises in terms of 1) what perspective would be good for capturing building shots, 2) what areas should I particularly pay attention to and 3) how can I improve on the existing pictures.

In addition, I've also attached a picture of a park captured. My intention was to capture the beauty of the rows of trees but it did not turn out the way I expect and wonder if I should be using a wider angle lens (e.g 15mm) instead of 24mm.

Thank you for your comments and advise

David

[blackgold]

another pic

[Shadowman]

I like what you've done so far. Architecture, cityscapes can be studied by looking at what others have done, I tend to use a style of my own and it's whatever appeals to me. UWA can give you some very dramatic shots, especially those taken during the golden hour, there is some appealing foreground element, and you are close enough to your subject to really utilize the effects of the shooting UW.

You can alter the appearance of buildings by lowering or raising your angle of view, utilizing lights and shadows at different times of the day or emphasizing colors as you did in the second and fourth shots.

Parks and greenery are a totally different challenge and usually its the effects of light that creates the problem. It's hard to get good contrast or even focus on the greenery itself when light is bouncing off of every blade of grass or leaf. Post-processing can help restore what was difficult to capture.

[blackgold]

Thanks Shadowman!
I'll keep this pointers (angle of shots, lighting and in particular shadow) in mind in my future shots.

[plugsnpixels]

The last pic you posted is the strongest because of the building's dominance via a flat angle and the color. The next step would be to replace the surrounding street, background, signs and sky with a simpler (less competitive) setting, if you're inclined to go the artsy route. In fact, this cries out to be "painted" somehow (many options for doing so manually or automatically).

[blackgold]

The last pic you posted is the strongest because of the building's dominance via a flat angle and the color. The next step would be to replace the surrounding street, background, signs and sky with a simpler (less competitive) setting, if you're inclined to go the artsy route. In fact, this cries out to be "painted" somehow (many options for doing so manually or automatically).

Thank you for your feedback.
Can you elaborate a bit more on replacing the surrounding with a simpler setting?
Not able to fully comprehend the effects of painting this pictures but if this turns out well, it could be a standard application when it comes to such style of buildings.

[Manfred M]

I'm not a fan of "collapsing" builldings (your third shot); i.e. ones shot with the camera pointing up and giving this perspective issue. It can be corrected in post-production or if you feel rich, with a perspective adjustment (PA) lens.

The shots themselves are quite nice.

[blackgold]

I'm not a fan of "collapsing" builldings (your third shot); i.e. ones shot with the camera pointing up and giving this perspective issue. It can be corrected in post-production or if you feel rich, with a perspective adjustment (PA) lens.

The shots themselves are quite nice.

I agree with you, its a pity the buildings are collapsing due to perspective. I've yet to try post production correction but I heard this can be done with software like DXO which I do not have the time to try it yet.
..you mean lenses like Canon's tilt-shift lens....those are, well, expensive.