Composition Help

[w.ftw]

I will have access to the following subjects tomorrow. However I don't know how to approach shooting them. I am afraid that I will attempt to take the same types of shots that are taken in these examples. Can you guys recommend any different angle and approaches that I should try? How would you go about shooting these building. Are they even worth shooting?

I will be shooting with my T3i, with 18-55mm lens and 50mm f/1.8 lens. Any tips and suggestions are welcome!

House Built by Japanese Immigrants in 1700s

Old Church / Court House

Old Railstop

 

[Compaq]

I would probably try to do some HDR with these.

Try to incorporate some flowers in the foreground with the Japanese house, perhaps? Or some grass.. AT 18mm you will get distortion that you can use to your advantage (though beware vertical lines won't be vertical: fix in photoshop).
It's hard to come with specifics, as I'm not familiar with the surroundings. On a general note, remember the KISS principle. Don't include power lines or stuff that doesn't belong there, or take away our focus on the subject (which I'm assuming will be the buildings).

One thing I like is shooting buildings from the corner, and low down looking up at them. I think that's cool (after correcting for distortion).

Good luck, and post pics!

 

[Mo.]

Try some worm eyes.

 

[w.ftw]

I would probably try to do some HDR with these.

Try to incorporate some flowers in the foreground with the Japanese house, perhaps? Or some grass.. AT 18mm you will get distortion that you can use to your advantage (though beware vertical lines won't be vertical: fix in photoshop).
It's hard to come with specifics, as I'm not familiar with the surroundings. On a general note, remember the KISS principle. Don't include power lines or stuff that doesn't belong there, or take away our focus on the subject (which I'm assuming will be the buildings).

One thing I like is shooting buildings from the corner, and low down looking up at them. I think that's cool (after correcting for distortion).

Good luck, and post pics!

Thank you, those are great tips!

 

[gsgary]

Everyone takes photos from where the main entrance of the building is, enter from the rear or side, look for interesting angles and thing you don't normally see

 

[bazooka]

Don't forget the sky! Wait for good light closer to sunset or sunrise. Look for interesting clouds structure. If sky is boring, try to include as little as possible.

Also, don't forget the details. You don't HAVE to include the entire building in each shot.

 

[bcshort]

as gsgary said, take photos of interesting angles. I'd also say get in close and take close-up photos with a wide aperture of specific subjects. You'll get a neat DOF effect that puts the focus on a particular thing.

Examples (making the assumptions that these places are partially furnished inside):

* Pic1/Detail of the front gate
* Pic2/corner of church pew, looking down isle
* Pic3/Anything sitting on a desk inside with camera level with desk