Photoshop is your friend.

Let's face it, most people will never get the opportunity to visit an architect's finished product but with photos, thousands are able to see and appreciate their projects without ever having to set foot on them. As an Architecture & Interiors photographer, my work is to take thousands of virtual visitors on tours of these exemplary creations by my colleagues [Yes, I am an architect myself].

My work is not just about capturing pretty images of buildings and the spaces they hold, it's also about creating assets that portray the architects' intentions and subsequent results. Unfortunately, those results may not be necessarily be exactly what the architects intended, and that's where post-processing comes in play.

UAP Tower Render vs. Reality - 3D Visual by Boogertman & Triad Architects [L], Photo by Eyeconic Media [R]

Now, sample this.

As an Architect or Interior Designer, you've designed and detailed a flawless interior space with all the bells and whistles. You've spent countless hours on site making sure that your creations are as close as possible on site as they are on paper.

But, there's a problem.

Dirt, wires, A/C units, CCTV cameras, pedestrians, parked vehicles, fire points, lamp posts, trash and anything else that was taking focus away from the overall beauty of each image. There's also planters, mats, picture frames, banners, signage and lots of other furniture that the architect has no control over especially when the building is handed over and is in use by the intended users. In short, if the architect didn't put it there, it has to go [at least 90% of the time].

Typical progression from a straight-out-of-camera shot to the final shot. Apart from the lamp post, the general scene isn't drastic.

And that is where post-processing comes in - photoshopping as we all call it. It's basically the process of embellishing your images using software such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, or other photo editing software for purposes of CORRECTING inconsistencies in lighting, colour and distractions in order to retain the best possible version that the architect intended to create while presenting the truest version of what's on site.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not about altering reality [at least for me], which is what we'll look at in this blog post.

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On Location:

I typically shoot RAW. This then means that all the available data from the camera's sensor is retained and this provides me with more flexibility when editing the images. The images are taken with ample and well balanced natural and/or ambient light with the camera on a tripod to keep the camera steady and reduce the risk of blur. I pay special attention to the framing and composition of the images, ensuring that the lines were straight and the spaces are presented in the best way possible.

Here's a typical BTS shot for an interior image. In addition to the camera & tripod, notice that I have attached a polarizer to help cut out reflections on the various surfaces.

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This is how a polariser cuts reflections on surfaces thus giving us the actual colours and textures.

95% of my frames are made on a tripod, as you can see from the BTS shots above. That allows me to bracket the shots for blending in Photoshop during post production.

Lightroom screenshot showing a series of bracketed shots, to be imported into Photoshop for the digital blending process.

Lightroom screenshot showing a series of bracketed shots for the bedroom below, to be imported into Photoshop for the digital blending process.

Photoshop screenshot showing the layers for the bedroom shot, just before the final alignment and corrections.

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The Editing Process:

After importing the images into Adobe Lightroom, we make small adjustments to the exposure, contrast, color, and distortion. We also apply lens correction to remove any distortion or vignetting caused by the wide-angle lens. These adjustments are made using the basic panel and lens correction panel in Lightroom.

Once we are satisfied with the initial edits in Lightroom, we export the images into Adobe Photoshop. There, we make further adjustments using layers and masks to selectively adjust specific areas of the image. We use dodge and burn tools to enhance the details and create a more three-dimensional effect. Finally, we use sharpening and noise reduction tools to create a sharp and clean final image.

The Final Result:

First, let's take a look at the typical raw image straight from the camera. As you can see, the image would do with a bit of a contrast and color bump. We will also need to subtly increase sharpness, clone some distractions/imperfections and correct any verticals [caused by the angle we shot from].

Now let's take a look at the post-processed image. As you can see, the contrast and color have been well balanced. The lines in the buildings are straightened, the colors are realistic, and the details are much sharper. The overall effect is much more polished looking. The assets still retain a high degree of realism while remaining believable.

To drive the point further home, have a look at these GIFs showing the difference. It may be subtle [intentionally so] but it is significant

GTC Office Tower - Looking Up

GTC Apartment Blocks - Pool Area

GTC Apartment Blocks - Roof Garden

GTC Office Tower - Main Entry

GTC Office Tower - Main Lobby

GTC Office Tower - Lift Lobby

The difference is clear.

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In conclusion:

Post-processing is a crucial aspect of architectural photography. It allows you to transform your images from ordinary snapshots to stunning works of art that showcase the beauty and complexity of the buildings. By making small adjustments to the exposure, contrast, color, and distortion, you can create images that are vibrant and full of life, while also giving the buildings a more professional and polished look.

We have explored the difference between a raw image straight from the camera and a post-processed version, and demonstrated the impact of post-processing through a specific set of before-and-after images. We hope this has inspired you to experiment with post-processing in your own architectural photography and take your images to the next level [photographers] and allowed a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create clean images that represent the best of each finished project [architects].

DISCLAIMER:

No amount of Photoshopping will result I a good image. The first step is to get it right, in camera - lighting, composition, timing. It not only makes your workflow faster and more efficient, it is also the right thing to do.

Get it right on location. Period.

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We'd be happy to hear from you regarding all things architectural photography. The email is eyeconic-media@mail.com.

Adios!

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