Building Shoot - Advice sought

roger.hayslip · 03-25-2009, 07:15 AM

My church is looking for an updated picture of our building to use on their website and printed materials.

The request is for an updated picture(s) that demphasizes the old sanctuary (right side of pic below) and places more emphasis on the other parts of the building and especially emphasizes the main entrance (dark hole in the middle left).

This is an example pic of the church structure from the south. Nothing special.

Generally I shoot people - sports, kids in actions, portraits, etc. I've been walking around this side of the structure at different times of the day trying different focal lengths. But nothing has struck me as being outstanding yet... And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet. I've mostly been using a 16-50 for this task.

Any advice would be appreciated.

--
Roger Hayslip

Wheatfield · 03-25-2009, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by roger.hayslip

My church is looking for an updated picture of our building to use on their website and printed materials.

The request is for an updated picture(s) that demphasizes the old sanctuary (right side of pic below) and places more emphasis on the other parts of the building and especially emphasizes the main entrance (dark hole in the middle left).

This is an example pic of the church structure from the south. Nothing special.

Generally I shoot people - sports, kids in actions, portraits, etc. I've been walking around this side of the structure at different times of the day trying different focal lengths. But nothing has struck me as being outstanding yet... And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet. I've mostly been using a 16-50 for this task.

Any advice would be appreciated.

--
Roger Hayslip

I found when I was shooting before and afters for a siding company that often the best shots were accomplished right around sunset or sunrise, depending on which way the building was facing.
I think this is still the best method, as it involves the least amount of post processing.
With the possibilities that digital opens up you could wait for a heavily overcast day to even out the lighting as much as possible, and illuminate the entrance way, either with strobe or even just turning on whatever lights there are.

Then in post processing you can massage the picture to bring the building back to life, and if you are really good, put a nice sky in the picture to replace the drab overcast one.

geauxpez · 03-25-2009, 08:58 AM

I would take Wheatfield's suggestion about time of day and add that if the entrance still looks dark and forboding, you may want to hide a remotely-triggered flash in there on low power to bring it up.

Ratmagiclady · 03-25-2009, 10:01 AM

*headscratching.* They want to *emphasize* that back end? I don't suppose there's any more-flattering distant views?

Kind of a tall order, I think. I don't think the building was really designed to be viewed the way they seem to be asking. I would try getting distance: if you try wide-angle closer to that big white addition, it'll look like a featureless monstrosity.

With some range and a longer lens you could put all those features together and maybe de-emphasize all the asphalt of the parking lot.

Agreed that there's probably a use of fill needed in that entry, if they want it emphasized. First thought I had was a night shot on 'Bulb' with a manual flash: walk around and hit your areas with a pop or two, depending on emphasis and what ought to look good, (A Vivitar 285 is good for this, though it's a white building, so you'll have to be on your game)

Easier: Choose a lower-lighting condition. Dawn, sunset, whatever looks good. I bet there's an overhead light in that entryway. Replace it with like a floodlight bulb.

Also, walk around. Don't feel constrained by a notion of framing around that big addition, there. Sometimes less is more, and you only need to *imply* it's there. (obviously with emphasis, as your 'client' requested. ) It's not actually much to look at, though. You can get the idea without showing it all the way back to the back corner, so leave that option open. Walk around and do some studies.

StevenVH · 03-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Some good suggestions so far and I share the opinion that the addition is the least interesting part of the building. My first thoughts were definitely walk around and the rest of Ratmagiclady's suggstions. Try different lenses if you have them and try a higher perspective. A higher elevation with a long lens for instance or even climb onto the hood of your car or bed of your truck. A lot of times I carry a step ladder for just that purpose. It's amazing what getting away from our typical visual perspective can do for our photos.

My other suggestion is shoot it during services. IMO, the lot should be full of cars and folks coming or going. It looks like you'll have to light the entrance unless you fill the frame with it. Either way, shoot it with people lined up to get in and some kids.

hth and GL

StevenVH · 03-25-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by roger.hayslip

-snip And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet.
Any advice would be appreciated.

--
Roger Hayslip -/snip

Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape

geauxpez · 03-25-2009, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by StevenVH

Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape

What -- are you suggesting that the OP pass up the chance to accessorize his gear bag with wireless triggers and such. What's the world coming to?

roger.hayslip · 03-25-2009, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by StevenVH

Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape

Now that's funny!!

I do have a spotlight...

roger.hayslip · 03-25-2009, 06:52 PM

Thanks all for the great suggestions. You've given me a lot of good ideas to think about and things to try.

WerTicus · 03-31-2009, 09:10 AM

shoot a 5 shot 1 ev bracketed hdri and stich it together. Its really freaken easy with photoshop.

Just open all the photos, then do file, automate, merge to hdr.

MJ² · 03-31-2009, 09:30 AM

Using a wide angle up close would give you soemthing dynamic making the new structure seem larger while making the old sanctuary secondary. Similar to this where the 4X tall city hall appears 1/2 as large. Though it would obscure the actual door way now that I think about it. Its a shame they don;t want to promote the "prettier" structure.....

03-25-2009, 07:15 AM	#1
roger.hayslip Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 31	Building Shoot - Advice sought My church is looking for an updated picture of our building to use on their website and printed materials. The request is for an updated picture(s) that demphasizes the old sanctuary (right side of pic below) and places more emphasis on the other parts of the building and especially emphasizes the main entrance (dark hole in the middle left). This is an example pic of the church structure from the south. Nothing special. Generally I shoot people - sports, kids in actions, portraits, etc. I've been walking around this side of the structure at different times of the day trying different focal lengths. But nothing has struck me as being outstanding yet... And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet. I've mostly been using a 16-50 for this task. Any advice would be appreciated. -- Roger Hayslip

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03-25-2009, 07:42 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by roger.hayslip My church is looking for an updated picture of our building to use on their website and printed materials. The request is for an updated picture(s) that demphasizes the old sanctuary (right side of pic below) and places more emphasis on the other parts of the building and especially emphasizes the main entrance (dark hole in the middle left). This is an example pic of the church structure from the south. Nothing special. Generally I shoot people - sports, kids in actions, portraits, etc. I've been walking around this side of the structure at different times of the day trying different focal lengths. But nothing has struck me as being outstanding yet... And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet. I've mostly been using a 16-50 for this task. Any advice would be appreciated. -- Roger Hayslip I found when I was shooting before and afters for a siding company that often the best shots were accomplished right around sunset or sunrise, depending on which way the building was facing. I think this is still the best method, as it involves the least amount of post processing. With the possibilities that digital opens up you could wait for a heavily overcast day to even out the lighting as much as possible, and illuminate the entrance way, either with strobe or even just turning on whatever lights there are. Then in post processing you can massage the picture to bring the building back to life, and if you are really good, put a nice sky in the picture to replace the drab overcast one.

03-25-2009, 08:58 AM	#3
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	I would take Wheatfield's suggestion about time of day and add that if the entrance still looks dark and forboding, you may want to hide a remotely-triggered flash in there on low power to bring it up.

03-25-2009, 10:01 AM	#4
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	headscratching. They want to emphasize that back end? I don't suppose there's any more-flattering distant views? Kind of a tall order, I think. I don't think the building was really designed to be viewed the way they seem to be asking. I would try getting distance: if you try wide-angle closer to that big white addition, it'll look like a featureless monstrosity. With some range and a longer lens you could put all those features together and maybe de-emphasize all the asphalt of the parking lot. Agreed that there's probably a use of fill needed in that entry, if they want it emphasized. First thought I had was a night shot on 'Bulb' with a manual flash: walk around and hit your areas with a pop or two, depending on emphasis and what ought to look good, (A Vivitar 285 is good for this, though it's a white building, so you'll have to be on your game) Easier: Choose a lower-lighting condition. Dawn, sunset, whatever looks good. I bet there's an overhead light in that entryway. Replace it with like a floodlight bulb. Also, walk around. Don't feel constrained by a notion of framing around that big addition, there. Sometimes less is more, and you only need to imply it's there. (obviously with emphasis, as your 'client' requested. ) It's not actually much to look at, though. You can get the idea without showing it all the way back to the back corner, so leave that option open. Walk around and do some studies.

03-25-2009, 05:15 PM	#5
StevenVH Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 475	Some good suggestions so far and I share the opinion that the addition is the least interesting part of the building. My first thoughts were definitely walk around and the rest of Ratmagiclady's suggstions. Try different lenses if you have them and try a higher perspective. A higher elevation with a long lens for instance or even climb onto the hood of your car or bed of your truck. A lot of times I carry a step ladder for just that purpose. It's amazing what getting away from our typical visual perspective can do for our photos. My other suggestion is shoot it during services. IMO, the lot should be full of cars and folks coming or going. It looks like you'll have to light the entrance unless you fill the frame with it. Either way, shoot it with people lined up to get in and some kids. hth and GL

03-25-2009, 05:21 PM	#6
StevenVH Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 475	Originally posted by roger.hayslip -snip And I've no idea how to light up the dark hole of an entrance. I haven't tried stitching pics together yet. Any advice would be appreciated. -- Roger Hayslip -/snip Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape

03-25-2009, 06:05 PM	#7
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	Originally posted by StevenVH Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape What -- are you suggesting that the OP pass up the chance to accessorize his gear bag with wireless triggers and such. What's the world coming to?

03-25-2009, 06:45 PM	#8
roger.hayslip Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by StevenVH Oh yeah, MagLites and ducktape Now that's funny!! I do have a spotlight...

03-25-2009, 06:52 PM	#9
roger.hayslip Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 31 Original Poster	Thanks all for the great suggestions. You've given me a lot of good ideas to think about and things to try.

03-31-2009, 09:10 AM	#10
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	shoot a 5 shot 1 ev bracketed hdri and stich it together. Its really freaken easy with photoshop. Just open all the photos, then do file, automate, merge to hdr.

03-31-2009, 09:30 AM	#11
MJ² Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lockport NY Posts: 54	Using a wide angle up close would give you soemthing dynamic making the new structure seem larger while making the old sanctuary secondary. Similar to this where the 4X tall city hall appears 1/2 as large. Though it would obscure the actual door way now that I think about it. Its a shame they don;t want to promote the "prettier" structure.....