Time of Day and Seasons to Photograph Architecture

The time of day can influence an image more than any other exterior condition. If the sky is cloudy, the light differs little between morning and afternoon. But if there is sunshine, dramatically different lighting situations occur throughout the day. In the morning, a facade may be in shadow, but in the afternoon it may be in direct sunlight. In addition, the time of day also determines the way environmental objects cast their shadows. Some buildings are wedge among others to the degree that the sun only lights up certain sides at a precise moment. If the photographer is not familiar with the location, it is advisable to research the building and its surroundings on maps and satellite pictures (via Google maps, etc.) before the shoot takes place.

An extremely potent moment for an architectural image is the "blue hour" (l'heure bleue). This refers to the time between sunset and darkness. Just after the sun has set and the sky is still indirectly lit, artificial light make an increasing appearance. This special mood shows the sky in intense colors combined with indirect and diffuse light. It is not yet a night shot, and unlit areas are still visible. The effect is caused by the diffusion of light coming from the sun below the horizon. This same effect can also be observed in the early morning.

With the onset of night, a reversal of light conditions takes place in and around the building. Due to reflections and dark interiors, it is often impossible to see into a building during the day. But at night, the building radiates from the inside out. With adequate lighting, it is possible to see parts of the interior. During the day, windows often are the darkest part of the facade, but at night they turn into shining, transparent surfaces. In contrast, unlit areas of the facade now seem dark and devoid of color. Because of the strong differences between light and dark areas, dynamic range in your photos is necessary to precisely document the building's true appearance.

There is little once can do about the season. The vegetation around a building may undergo significant changes throughout the year. A building may be obscured by foliage in summer, but may present an entirely different, clear view though naked tree branches in winter. Colorful fall foliage creates a completely different atmosphere compared to the fresh green of spring. Of course, this impression is also attached to the architecture. The color ambience of a building and its environment has a direct influence on the way an image is perceived. Cool, blue tones generate a different impression than warm, red tones.

Throughout the year, the sun's pat across the sky varies strongly. In winter, the sun remains lower above the horizon, so sunlight travels a greater distance in winter than in summer, therefore diffusion due to atmospheric dust and moisture is increased. Lower winter sun also increases the likelihood of situation where it is necessary to shoot against the sun, which makes exact metering difficult. In summer, the sun climbs much higher in the sky, causing shadows to become shorter. For these reasons, architecture shown in the summer looks less distant and more accentuated than in the winter months.