Architecture photography of any kind is always mesmerizing. The breathtaking designs, magnificent structures and the effect of light on them are a menu every photography lover cannot be fed up with. And as the world progresses and technology takes us to another level, various architectural designs have emerged that have held the masses in awe. Even while this presents great opportunities for photographers to capture these designs in frozen frames, trying something different like abstract architecture will bury the monotony of steel and glass, steel and glass, steel and glass...

Abstract architecture can be created by computers to create illusions of all kinds. But there is a feel of human touch when that is captured by a camera. Abstract architecture can be described as a form of an architectural presentation that has an intellectual and affective artistic content that depends solely on intrinsic form rather than on narrative content or pictorial representation. In a layman’s language, it is where a small part of an architectural structure is captured to form the main composition rather than trying to capture a larger portion, if not the entire structure. If mastered, this form of photography is a great art. Here are a few tips that can help one in capturing great abstract architecture photos.

Nailing down the location

There are millions of structures that can easily pass as architectural structures. However, you should note that not all can be great subjects for abstract architecture. Look around for a structure that attracts attention and that is loaded with surprises. Remember you are looking for a small portion of the structure and not the entire structure. With abstract architecture, modern structures are the best subjects since they have more add-ons and repeated minor structures that can form a great photo.

Look for symmetry and repetitions

It’s not hard to find symmetry and repetitions on buildings and other architectural structures. The key is finding the best part of the structure that has the potential of being a perfect subject for an abstract architecture photograph. Symmetry goes together with repetitions. Repetitions too can be cropped to make great abstract architecture photographs.

Angles

Probably the most important ingredient for a good abstract architecture photograph is the kind of angle used to take it. You will rarely yield any good photo if you go for regular frontal angles. Try twisting your camera until you get an angle that will yield good abstract photos. Try also tilting your camera to face up and check for the vertigo effect in your final photograph as well. Remember the key to great angles is trying over and over until you get what you are looking for.

Photos by Praveen.P.B / Fotosocial

Lighting

Lighting is vital to every form of photography. Lighting in abstract architecture photography can be very challenging since you are dealing with a mammoth structure. The idea of lighting it yourself is out of question since it can be very expensive. The only option you have to use is the natural light. This means a photograph taken at each time of the day will have a different look and effect. Light creates shadows that can add depth to the image or at times darken the image thereby covering important details. It is important, therefore, to take photos of the same subject at different times of the day and compare the results.

Photo by Partha Pratim Chatterjee / Fotosocial

Final take

After all is said and done, it boils to how you present your final photograph. Including too much of the subject will render the image just normal architecture photograph. Cropping or photographing a small section of a structure and presenting it accordingly will pass the image as an abstract architecture photograph.