When Photographing older architecture, a straightforward approach works best , keeping the image simple and uncluttered - one of the unwritten rules of Architectural Photography is the use of controlled perspective, the empahasis is on keeping vertical lines vertical ( ie non-converging). This is paramount when shooting older styles of Architecture - in a way you are almost paying homage to the age of the building - so the least you can do is to keep it from looking like it is about to fall over backwards. Placing the subject in its environment / context also works well, giving it plenty of room to breathe.
Modern Architecture
With modern architecture you have a lot more room to manouvre - from shooting with wide angle lenses to give an extreme perspective to shooting the build from an unusual perspective. A lot of modern Architecture (unlike its predecessor) can support a more artistic interpretation and sometimes even screams out for it. This is where using a photographer with a creative bent and a vivid imagination really pays off.
The Architecture in its Environment or not ?
Placing your building in its surrounds is one of the key shots you will take as an Architectural Photographer - but one of the critical decisions you will need to make is " Does the environment add to the message that I want to convey or does it detract from it?" - on the odd occasion the immediate environment will not only ,not add to the shot, but actually detract form it, so it is best to leave this shot out or at least crop in a little closer.
Lighting
As with any genre of photography - lighting can either make or break a shot. In so far as Architecture is concerned front lighting from an oblique angle is best - this gives some shadowing and a three dimensionality to the suface of the build. Planning some shots at dusk is always a great idea as photographing at this time of day can give a whole new ( & dramatic ) look to a building/interior shot
Detail
Picking out interesting details makes a great shot in its own right and serves to highlight important design features than an Architect has laboured over. Ranging from an ornate ceiling to a varied material palette shot - these style of images add a great deal to the overall portfolio that you will present the Architect with.
What else?
The other types of shot you should look to capture include: Suggesting how the end user will make use of the space ( by placing people in your shots it also gives it immediate scale ). Focus on images that highlight what the design is all about, for example focusing on the fluidity between the internal and external spaces. Use your skill to emphasise and accentuate the amount of available natural light in any one space.
This is not in any way shape or form an exhaustive list , merely an insight into some of the nuances of the genre and a brief glimpse into the thought processes involved when endeavouring to photograph the built environment.
