Rules of Architectural photography to apply to Archviz

Those who aren’t in the architectural field might not know the difference between architectural photography and computerized architectural visualization, and how to apply simple rules and principles from photography to rendering, and that’s pretty common.

Believe it or not, many rules of photography can be applied to architectural visualization and rendering in the hopes to make your image look even more realistic than ever before, and this is a trick many architects and graphic designers actually use in archviz (architectural visualization.)

However, before we get to properly discuss these rules, we need to take a moment to understand the correlation between photography and rendering, what archviz means and how you can apply these rules to improve your work. Let’s begin.

Architectural photography vs. architectural visualizations

As you might have already noticed, these two concepts are very different from one another, and they happen in very distinct parts of the architectural project, one usually happens before the building is even done, and the other happening once the work has been completed.

While architectural visualization is a process that takes place in the early stages of any project, usually during the design phase, and it’s later used throughout the whole marketing and sales campaign to showcase this vision to the general public, architectural photography usually takes place once the building is already finished.

Basically, architectural visualization focuses on creating an image that successfully represents the architect’s vision in an accurate way, meanwhile photography simply focuses on taking good pictures of said building once it has already been built to document it in the best possible way.

That being said, you might be wondering how these two different processes correlate, and how the rules of architectural photography could be used in something like archviz? Well, the thing is, despite how different these two processes might be, they have a single goal in common: Showing the audience how the building looks like in the best way possible.

Of course, one does this through computer generated images that are solemnly based on files and data, meanwhile the others does so with a picture of the actual finished product, but the goal stays the same; they want to catch the public’s attention and make them interested in the building as much as possible.

And, considering how architectural visualization and rendering in general focuses on creating the most realistic three-dimensional image possible, that most accurately resembles a real-life photograph, it makes sense these rules can be apply in archviz as well, even if we’re not used to it yet.

What is Archviz

The term ‘Archviz’ might sound weird for someone that isn’t familiar with the architectural field, but the truth is, archviz is just a short way of saying Architectural Visualization, which of course, refers to the process of creating computer made images for an architectural project that hasn’t been built yet.

It is important to understand that when we talk about Archviz, we don’t necessarily talk about architectural drawings or construction documents (that’s a whole different thing, and shouldn’t be mistaken with visualization), but rather understand that we are referring to the process of crafting a realistic, three dimensional looking image using computer programs and complex software mixed with technical and creative skills to be able to bring an idea to life.

Basically, architectural drawings are done with your usual tools such as CAD/BIM software and traditional renderings using graphic pencils, markers and sometime watercolor paintings, but when it comes to archviz, it is strictly done through computer software that are specifically designed to perform this task. This includes digital still images, animations and virtual reality scenes.

Rules for architectural photography you should follow

Now that we have established the simple terms and definitions you should know, and that we all understand how architectural photography and architectural visualization are actually similar and can complement each other, let’s take a look at some rules you should be following during your own visualization process.

#1: Tell your story in a single frame

Although there are rendering process in animations and videos, most renderings are done in a single frame image, much like photography, meaning you have to be able to tell a story using a single ‘shot’ or in this case, frame.

Focus on what you want to convey with your visualization and create a cartoon/mockup of that image, picturing elements, colors and composition that will help you transmit to the audience the feeling or story you want to tell them.

#2: Pay attention to the composition of your image

Composition is a tricky subject both in photography and in rendering, since a good composition can totally transform the image you’re working on. Remember, there are many different types of compositions and they can all transmit different things to the viewer.

What we recommend is start off with something simple, a classic central perspective, for example, and move on from there as you go. Set up your lines, define your perspective, and then slowly but surely build up your composition.

#3: Don’t over use a ‘wide angle’ perspective

In photography, wide length simply refers to the type of camera lens that lets you take in more space in your photography, a great technique in natural and landscape photography, but one that can be overused in architectural visualization.

Try to focus on not showing too much or take in as much landscape as possible, but rather focus on the object you want to show to your public. You want the image to center around it, not around the extra elements.

#4: Pay attention to details

In real life architectural photography, you have to find little details worth taking a picture of, but in rendering, you HAVE to pay attention to these details and make them as accurate as possible. Your work of art should pay attention to every little nuance such as detail, light and shadow, color and texture to give your image as much as a realistic feeling as possible.

#5: Color palette

Besides balance and composition, colors play a HUGE part on what makes an image visually pleasing, and as such, you should create a designed color palette for your rendering image and stick to it. Of course, the colors you chose will directly depend on the general atmosphere and feeling you want to transmit to your audience and what you want to achieve with that image.

Russell Thomas is the Founder and Creative Director at 3DAllusions Studio a subsidiary of 3DAllusions LLC which includes sites such as 3DAllusions and MrMaterials which are resources for the CG artist, helping them hone their craft.