Architectural Photography - Before / After Retouching

I often get questions about how post production works in architectural photography. In reality every shot is different but there is somewhat of a loose formula that all the images fall into. We do (almost 100 percent of the time) stack multiple different shots into one final image. There can be anywhere from 2 to 15 in total that make up the final shot. I would say on average there are 4 - 7 total per final image.

Architectural Photography Before and After at Fusion In Omaha, NE with RDG Planning and Design

In order to understand the post production process some explanation of the shooting process is necessary. We always try to start with a basic bracket of exposures. This is when we shoot 3 or 4 images starting with a bright exposure and work our way down to a dark or underexposed image. Then we spend some time flagging reflections and lighting the space as needed. Flagging is when we hang large 8x8 black fabric in specific places killing unwanted reflections in glass or glossy surfaces. You can se an example of flagging below.

Flagging in Architectural Photography - Allsteel Beyond Wall System

The last thing we do as add in the “models”. Models in our world is slang for architects, designers, marketing people, photographers, assistants, or staff the was unlucky enough to be in the area when we needed people in the shots ;).

Exposure specifically for models - Legat Architects - College of Lake County

Then we are finally off into post production. I send all the raw images to my retoucher Sean in the UK (Two Bears Studio ) with specific instructions for each image and setup. Sean has worked with me for the last 4 years and has a keen understanding of what I am looking for and expect. There he spends time layering all the files together, correcting all color balance issues, and retouching out all unwanted distractions. Sean sends the images back to me for final review and I contribute my finishing touches to each shot before delivering back to the happy client.

Architectural Photography Before / After - Urban Works - Esperanza Center - Chicago, IL

There you have it! A brief description of our shooting and post production process in architectural photography. Like I said before, every architectural shot is different but this formula generally runs it’s course throughout every shoot.

Tallahassee Architectural Photographer - AJ Brown Imaging

Architectural Photography in Tallahassee, Florida by AJ Brown Imaging

Tallahassee Architectural Photographer AJ Brown Imaging

AJ Brown Imaging is a premiere Tallahassee, Florida architectural photography firm. Photographing the Tallahassee, Florida area, AJ Brown Imaging’s goal is excellence in providing clients with award winning architectural photography. AJ Brown Imaging has fifteen years of experience shooting in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Boca Raton, Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Keys, and surrounding states with commercial architectural and residential architectural building architectural photography needs. Trusted by architectural firms throughout Tallahassee, Jacksonville and beyond with interior architectural photography, exterior architectural photography, Tallahassee, Florida corporate interior photography, Tallahassee real estate development photography, and Tallahassee drone aerial photography. ABI encourages Tallahassee, Florida firms to view our complete portfolio of architectural photography and video.

Architectural Photography in Tallahassee, FL

1001 South State - Chicago, IL

Selecting images to post on the blog can be difficult when there are too many great options. Our 1001 South State project in Chicago, IL highlights this dilemma. 1001 South State, the newest high-rise to grace the Chicago highline, is a 40-story residential tower designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and built by Walsh Construction.

This apartment building holds all the amenities: from swimming pools and work out facilities to a bike repair room and dog run. Expansive green spaces on the 5th floor make the outdoor experience accessible, while pool and grill areas make communal living convenient yet private. The glass-covered exterior curves and angles, providing countless views of the city from every possible position to apartment residents. It seemed like every space we photographed yielded an entirely fresh perspective of the Chicago Skyline or Lake Michigan.

Located in the South Loop, one of Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhoods, 1001 South State also includes 7,800 square footage of street-level retail space. Towering above its surroundings, this breathtaking building can be seen from virtually all angles throughout the South Loop, establishing it as a main view throughout the neighborhood. 

The image above is an example of a two-bedroom apartment facing southwest with fantastic views of Lake Michigan.

Above - The south-facing penthouse suite.

Above - 40th floor residence lounge with an unreal view of the Chicago skyline (never been seen before from that angle).

1001 South State is a new 40-story, 398-unit residential high-rise in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood. Levels one through four include parking. Level five ...