A Sampling of my architectural photos in and around Denver and Boulder, Colorado

My approach to architecture photography is pretty simple.   Details, lines, and composition are of utmost importance.  Architects spend their lives obsessing over whether things are straight, and exact.   That has to be represented in the photography.   A single photo can take hours to edit – which pales in comparison to the years that the architect spent bringing his or her vision into our physical reality.   

 

One River North, Denver.  MAD Architects

One River North, Denver.  This building sits at the North end of Blake Street.  I am sure I had driven past it 100 times and never noticed it off in the distance.  However, once you see it, you will never ‘unsee’ it on the Denver Skyline.  That feature in the middle is a Biomorphic Channel that runs top-to-bottom.  The rooftop pool seems to be the “source” if our imaginations are used.  

MAD Architects.

 

One River North, Denver. An architectural masterpiece.

 

Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport and the Westin Hotel at sunset. Westin Architect: Gensler

 

Labrot House
The Labrot House, Boulder Colorado. Architects Hobart D. Wagener / Cheri Belz

 

Labrot House marquee

 

Architectural staircase
Architecturally beautiful staircase, Boulder, Colorado.  Architect: Stephen Sparn at Sopher Sparn Architects. 

 

A beautiful kitchen in Westerly, Erie, Colorado.  Southern Land Company

 

detail shot
An example where details are important. These lights were all a part of the design of the home, and was showcased in this hybrid architectural / inteiror design shot. Interior styling by Ivy Lane Home

 

Lumber Lofts
I am an FAA certified drone pilot. Sometimes, architecture photography is done from the air. This was for the Lumber Lofts (red building in the foreground) in Denver.

 

Chilson Recreation Center
Chilson Recreation Center. Photographed for BSR Architects

 

Chilson Recreation Center Locker
An important detail that the architect wanted photographed – the custom locks on the lockers. I used a bit of Bokeh (blur) to isolate the lock in the photo.  BSR Architects

 

Rec Center
A wide shot as requested for the main area entering the locker rooms of the Chilson Recreation Center. Most architecture photos are not shot wide open, but this was a request by the architect.

 

lighting example
This is a shot where I used very subtle additional lighting via umbrellas. This helped bring out the true colors of the wall, and eliminate color casts by the surrounding lights.

 

Beautiful home in North Boulder. Rodwin Architecture

 

View of the Flatiorns.  A  case of using a 200mm lens to bring in a view. Rodwin Architecture

 

West Boulder, Cragmoor Drive.  Rodwin Architecture

 

Fireplace
Beautiful custom fireplace. Boulder, Colorado. Rob Luckett Builders

 

Colliers Hill Clubhouse, Erie, Colorado

Wood beams in an architectural setting

Capturing the wooden beams

Cabinetry

 

Some Frequently Asked Questions (paraphrased for simplicity here)

  1. What equipment I use?   I use a Canon 5dsr for a camera body.  The 50mp sensor and image/color quality is unmatched.  This is a go-to camera body for many architectural photographers.   I also use any number of L-series (mostly) Canon lenses. For architecture, a Tilt/Shift lens is most common, and my 24mm is great for many situations.   I also use a 16-35, 50mm prime, a 24-70 and occasionally a 70-200mm lens.   My 50mm prime is one of my favorites.
  2. Do I use any lighting?  I do, and I have a large arsenal of lights, stands and modifiers. I use lighting to get correct colors, bring out details, and to highlight certain areas of a scene.    I also do ambient-only, or blends depending on the occasion.
  3. Can I shoot tethered?  I can, and I do.  In case you not aware of what this means, ‘tethering’ is simply controlling your camera via an Ipad or Laptop so you can see the scene on a larger screen, and show clients what you are shooting, or how you are composing.  This connection is usually done through a device called a ‘Camranger.’
  4. Will I  travel?   Of course, if it’s a good fit for both myself and the client.

 

Camranger with Ipad

Behind the scenes using an Ipad and a Camranger to perfect the composition, staging and lighting.

Video of some of Denver and Boulder’s Architectural Gems

 

This is a quick vertical Instagram reel for this cool building in Denver.  

 

This one was an all-encompassing video and photo shoot of this architecturally-historic home in Boulder, Colorado.   Even with video, it’s important to (as much as you can) straighten out lines, make colors correct, and tell a story.   

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