Welcome to Part II of a 2-Part post on Architectural Photography. Read Part I here.
So, why do we photograph architecture?
1. Basic Documentation
A basic practice of any undertaking is documentation of the processes and exercises therein. Photographs play a major role in this process as well as providing a good visual account of the goings on.
2. Reference
Professional photographs provide a good point of contact for referencing old projects during the design of new ones, as well as educating new recruits in a firm on what the culture of the company is like in terms of design and documentation.
3. Competition Entries & Publications
If you look at many international competitions or publications for architectural works, the projects are all photographed professionally. This gives a feeling of quality and class and shows the professionalism of the firms undertaking the projects.
4. Teaching & Inspiration
Architectural training also needs a huge bank of local photographs to aid in the training of professionals in our local institutions. These photos also serve to inspire and guide the younger generation as they decide what career they would want to pursue.
5. Client Information
Professional photos allow the Architects to showcase the best that they have to offer and instill a sense of confidence in prospective clients, even before a deal is struck, since photos of previous work are what many people will see/look for before formally approaching an Architect for their services.
6. Cultural Bench-marking
A good way of learning about a culture and seeing their story unfold is through continual documentation of their construction practices thorough photos. The images below show the changing skyline of Dubai, captured over time, and can be invaluable in passing on information to future generations.
For our case in Kenya, a few examples exist but not much time and effort has been put into deliberate and consistent [not to mention excellent] photographic documentation.
The Situation in Kenya
Following a situational analysis on the state of Architectural Photography in Kenya, a few issues came up regarding why the service has not been fully embraced by the local market.
Knowledge of the Craft
Majority of the building industry professionals know about Architectural Photography or know an Architectural Photographer. However, most have not engaged them in any of their projects due to budget constrains or simply no interest.
Documentation is done mainly using iPhones or point-and-shoot cameras as opposed to commissioning the professionals in the field hence the low quality of imagery on their websites and profiles.
Level of Service
For those that have engaged Professional Photographers, the results were somewhat satisfactory and acceptable in terms of quality and cost but there was still some way to go to match up to the international standards.
And since it’s a premium service, the Clients need to feel like they’ve gotten value for money not only through high-quality images but by way of high quality services overall from the photographers they engage.
Uptake of the services
Those yet to engage an Architectural Photographer are willing to give the process a try. There also needs to be greater exposure of the services to the players in the construction industry.
Final Word
Architectural Photography can be seamlessly incorporated into the Design & Construction Process of any Real Estate Project by;
1. Selecting the right Photographer to work with;
This can be through portfolio overviews (a photographer with a large body of architectural work is a plus), referrals from the photographer’s previous clients and overall professionalism.
2. Planning for Architectural Photography;
This involves factoring in Architectural Photography as a major part of the construction process and involving the Photographer early on in the project’s life-cycle.
Meeting the photographer in person and having a walk-through for each project also helps in breaking the ice and allows both parties to be on the same page.
NOTE: This Article contains extracts from a short survey conducted in April 2017 on the same subject. The author is an Architectural Photographer and Architect running a private practice in Nairobi, Kenya.
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