The Downfall of Using a Wide Angle Lens for Architectural

When hiring a photographer for a construction site, one must go beyond the “photographic qualifications” of the photographer and ensure they are experienced with construction sites. Mobile equipment, hoisting of materials, and open pits, for example, require an individual who has knowledge of the inherent dangers associated with these activities and is then able to react accordingly. Hoisting of materials would be a great opportunity for the inexperienced photographer to get a viewpoint from underneath and take the picture. One must never go underneath a suspended load. Construction sites are cluttered with equipment, materials, structural steel, tools, and debris. Structural steel can pose a serious threat with its sharp corners. Material lying around is another threat to a photographer who works predominantly in a studio or other clean environment and is used to moving around while looking through the camera. I was at a construction site where the concrete floor of a new building had the hoarding laid over it. As well, structural I-beams were lying on the ground, electrical cords for the power tools, sheet metal, and of course, steel cables anchored at ground level going up to the building columns to keep them in place while the concrete cured. Also, the ground level had narrow catwalks spanning its length in a criss-cross pattern as a result of the basement being open concrete pits. The catwalks were lined with wood railing anchored in place. This was definitely not the place for an inexperienced person to be at. Welding, for example poses a significant danger if the photographer does not know about welding flash. A photographer not familiar with welding will by habit, look at the subject through the viewfinder to compose and take the image. “Hey, can you look at me”. Also, knowing when not to disrupt the trades while they are working is another area of potential concern that requires experience. Lastly, does your photographer know the OHS Act? The photographer needs to know when to shoot and when not to. For example, you do not want images posted on social media showing someone up on a scissor lift or walking a girder and not being tied off. Or worse, the images are sent to the company for review. As an Engineer, I have spent my career working out in the field and in manufacturing. I have worked with welders, iron workers, electricians, millwrights, and numerous other trades. I have extensive experience in construction managing capital projects, doing risk assessments, and being responsible for safety. I am that qualified photographer for construction sites.

In today's world, everyone can take a photo or video with their cell phone and call themselves a photographer. But how can you be sure that the images will present you and your business in the best way possible? Hiring a professional photographer ensures that you get the experience, professionalism, and unbiased opinion that you need to make your photos stand out. Let's look at my thought process in this image of a series. This was promotional material for a Ribfest. First requirement. Show the ribs. Second requirement. Images should reflect the boldness of ribs. Look at their expressions. How cannot you not notice his expression. Notice the angle of his head? This was with purpose. The way he is holding the ribs and the fact he is holding them as opposed to it sitting on a plate. He is presenting the ribs to you. This required directing them on what to do. The result of being an experienced commercial photographer. Next, look at the trophies in the foreground. I purposely positioned myself so that they would be in the foreground. Why did I include them? Showing off your achievements in an image speaks volumes. Last, the editing process. Not to be forgotten. Edited to match the theme. Don't settle for a mediocre shot.

A branding session with a local business owner. My thought process for this shot. First thing. The owner posing with one of his vehicles. Being beside his truck, you know that he is involved in construction. And it is fitting that he is parked on dirt. A big component of any construction site. Moving dirt. His business name. Evident on the door and I positioned myself in such a way that I am avoiding that typical shot of a person photographing from the side and thus, not being able to get the whole truck in the shot. Notice the shadows. Shadows add dimension to an image. Shot in late afternoon. The sun is behind him, thus I needed to add a strobe to light him otherwise he would have been dark and his face hard to see. His pose. It is hard for people to pose and it requires a professional to get the proper pose for the type of shot and type of person being photographed.

When photographing buildings, two of the most important criteria are ensuring that the vertical lines are vertical and that there is no curvature, which is typically found in images that are captured by wide angle lenses. To ensure the above criteria are met, there are two methods the photographer can use. One method is by using a panoramic head which rotates the camera around it's nodal point. This creates a series of images that are then stitched in post to create a single image that encompasses the whole building. Another method, and one that I employ is using a Tilt-Shift lens or a perspective control lens. This lens shifts the lens in such a way that the perspective is maintained. This lens works equally well inside as well as outside.  It shifts the lens and creates a series of images that are then stitched together to create one image. The image below was 3 seperate images stitched together.