How to Photograph Buildings When on Vacation

Wait for the best lighting conditions. During midday the sun's light is often bright, harsh and much too contrasty. Try to shoot during the golden hours -- very early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun casts warm, rich light onto the face of a building. If you're attempting to capture architectural details, wait for a slightly overcast day to avoid losing them in shadow.

Contextualize the building by including outside elements. If you're photographing an old, interesting flower shop that is wedged in between two industrial buildings, compose the picture so that all three structures are included. This will add an element of artistic irony and contrast to your picture. Including people in the frame can also add perspective and a sense of scale to an image (such as passersby in front of a high-rise skyscraper).

Attach a telephoto lens (typically with a focal length above 50mm) to your camera and focus on architectural patterns, such as a row of unusual doorways or windowsills. Telephotos compress elements within the frame, which can turn an average subject into a geometrically intriguing composition.

Swap the telephoto for a wide-angle lens to take sweeping panoramic shots. With a wide-angle lens, you can stand on a street corner and fit an entire intersection -- as well as all of the buildings which surround it -- into the frame. Also, if you wish to focus on a single building, a wide-angle will allow you to photograph it from much closer than with a normal or telephoto lens.

Attach a polarizing filter to the front of your lens to reduce glare and reflection from a building's windows or glass paneling. Architectural photographs are often marred by lens flare or sunspots, but a polarizing filter will help block reflected light from entering your lens. It will also turn the sky a much richer blue and prevent drab white horizon lines.

Continue shooting once the sun sets. Buildings, especially those in downtown areas of large cities, are often lit vibrantly at night. Widen your aperture (size of lens opening) by a few stops and slow your shutter speed to obtain an accurate exposure. You can also use aperture and shutter-speed values suggested by your camera's internal light meter.