Train station in DC

cwingwvwc · Jan 4, 2011

This picture comes with a question. Does anyone have any tips on taking pictures of architecture? I must have taken 50 photos outside of the train station and this is the only one that seemed ok. Most others had a lot of distortion in the shape of the building. Short of buying a tilt shift lens, does anyone have any pointers?

GeorgieGirl · Jan 4, 2011

I like that you got all the columns good and straight. I can't capture data with this Mac, so what were you using and what where your settings?

cwingwvwc · Jan 4, 2011

exif:
Equipment MakeOLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Camera ModelE-420
Camera SoftwareVersion 1.1
Maximum Lens Aperturef/3.5
Image-Specific Properties:
Horizontal Resolution240 dpi
Vertical Resolution240 dpi
Image Created2011:01:03 21:50:38
Exposure Time1/25 sec
F-Numberf/8.0Exposure
ProgramAperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating800
Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure
Bias0
EVMetering ModePattern
Light SourceUnknown
FlashNo Flash,
AutoFocal Length42.00 mm
RenderingCustomExposure Mode
AutoWhite BalanceManual
Scene Capture TypeStandardGain
ControlHigh Gain Up
ContrastHard
SaturationHigh
SharpnessHard
Some work in lightroom on cropping and contrast.

Syco · Jan 4, 2011

Straightening architectural lines has to be done in post-processing. Photoshop Elements, for example, has several tools for handling this process.

pbelarge · Jan 4, 2011

^ One could purchase a tilt-shift camera.

pbelarge · Jan 4, 2011

For the OP

The angle you hold the lens to the structure will have an impact on the distortion created in the image.

Generally, the higher you hold the camera, keeping the lens as parallel as possible to the vertical plane of the structure will reduce if not elminate the distortion.

Sometimes the distortion is a creative effect that some try to capture.

Frequency · Jan 4, 2011

Good image; did you also try a wide angle shot, here?

Regards

cwingwvwc · Jan 4, 2011

Nope, no wide angle.

cwingwvwc · Jan 4, 2011

pbelarge said:
^ One could purchase a tilt-shift camera.

kind of cost prohibitive as I am a bit underfunded for my hobby.

pbelarge · Jan 5, 2011

That reply was not directed towards you.

I have had the same experience as you have, and I was trying to point out how I tried to compensate. You did a great job on the one posted, it would seem you did figure it out.

cwingwvwc · Jan 5, 2011

i know, i was joking. that doesn't convey well over the internet. thanks for the advice.

starcluster · Jan 5, 2011

Yes! good shot! like the composition and contrast

Robin Usagani · Jan 5, 2011

cwingwvwc, if you love architectural photos like you showed on your post, I think you want to worry more about the exposure. The scene you took was super challenging. You need to take at least 2 exposures to make the photo really works. Outside the building is just too bright, and the inside in the back is too dark.

I use lighroom 3, you can fix vertical lines on architectural shots unless there is a person filling most of the frame. You will distort their appearance and it will look weird if you do too much.

cwingwvwc · Jan 9, 2011

Schwettylens said:
cwingwvwc, if you love architectural photos like you showed on your post, I think you want to worry more about the exposure. The scene you took was super challenging. You need to take at least 2 exposures to make the photo really works. Outside the building is just too bright, and the inside in the back is too dark.

I use lighroom 3, you can fix vertical lines on architectural shots unless there is a person filling most of the frame. You will distort their appearance and it will look weird if you do too much.

The exposure was a little better than my original post, pp kind of exacerbated the darkness. I just don't like grays and I think I overdid the contrast a bit. It would have been good to get a bracketed exposure, but I was doing street shots and did not have a tripod. here is a less edited version.