Understanding Geometric Photography

Remember geometry at school? Don’t worry. You don’t need to find your old math textbooks. All you need is your camera.
I always found myself fascinated by how shapes fit together to create spaces. Admittedly, I was never great at math. But I do think my interest pointed me in the direction of photography.
Lines, circles, spheres, and triangles. Almost every physical feature of the world is made from geometrical shapes. In photography, geometric imagery emphasizes bold shapes and patterns.
Common examples of geometric photography are found in architectural imagery. They can be geometric shapes that create abstract images. But you can also use geometric shapes in other areas of photography.
You’ll find elements of geometric photography in genres like minimalism, fine art, and fashion photography. And geometric street photography is trendy. And cityscapes are full of geometric shapes you can exploit.

Lead With Lines

Once you start looking, you’ll find lines everywhere. Bold, thin, wavy, or sharp—there are countless types of lines. And you can use them to strengthen your composition in geometric photography.
The geometry of lines helps us visualize our surroundings. They define space, momentum, and emphasis. Lines delineate both conceptual and physical designs. They provide a scaffold for ideas and experiences.
Lines can also be the subject in your photography, conveying emotion through shape and form.
Leading lines provide a visual path for the viewer. You can use them to direct the viewer’s gaze through your photograph. And horizontal or vertical lines allow us to get our bearings within an image.
Lines and geometric photography are almost inseparable. It’s the most basic element of this visual art form.

Repeat Yourself

Repetition involves repeating a subject many times for greater impact within an image. You can find geometric shapes that repeat to create patterns throughout your images. With each repetition, the geometry in the image is emphasized. It gives your geometric photography rhythm and structure. The shapes become part of the narrative of your photograph.
Repeating geometric patterns is especially effective because it creates a bold statement. The repeated geometry can direct the viewer’s eye.
Look for brick walls, windows, tiles, and flowers. Many repetitious subjects emphasize geometric qualities at the same time.

Suggest Symmetry

Symmetry is the visual balance of one or more subjects within a composition. It occurs both naturally and artificially. It is often tied to the geometric properties of a photograph. Symmetry visually and psychologically pleasing to encounter. And it adds an even flow to a photograph.
An image doesn’t need to be perfect to achieve the impression of symmetry. You can find symmetry by using reflections in glass or water. Or you can look for similar geometric shapes in your compositions.
The suggestion of geometric features evenly distributed over an image is enough. It’ll evoke the sensual experience of geometric symmetry in itself.

Use Color

Color can liven up a geometric image, snagging the viewer’s eye. But color also can work on a deeper, more psychological level. Colors are linked to emotional experiences. Different colors hold specific meanings for different people. While red shows passion, blue denotes calmness. You introduce a new layer of experience to geometric photography by incorporating color.
Bringing color theory into your work adds depth and meaning to your geometric photography. You can use different color patterns to give your images a more substantial emotional feel as Turkish photographer Yener Torun displays in the image below.
You can also use color to make your images pop. Geometric shapes give you a canvas to add blocks of bold colors. You can use the colors to emphasize the geometric patterns and shapes.
Color can add new dimensions to architectural photography. It’ll strengthen blocks and lines. And the color will add life to abstract scenes.

Try Black and White

Black and white can’t rely on color to get attention. It depends on shape and form. The contrast of black and white helps create dynamic shapes and lines.
You don’t have blocks of color. But you can find strong shapes made from black and white. And you can also look for contrasting shades of grey.
Black and white photography is about finding light and dark areas. Look for the regions where light meets dark. The light beams and shadows create a world of shape that surrounds you.

Go Textural

Texture defines the way an image feels. It allows the viewer to connect with a photograph on a physical level. Rough, smooth, wrinkly, or slippery—most subjects are made from textural qualities.
Geometric subjects operate on many textural levels. Polished metallic surfaces give an impression of smoothness and modernity. Weather-worn geometric architecture can feel rough and old. You can almost feel the rough texture of old bricks.
You can also use geometric elements as a tool to show texture. It enhances each textural component by dividing the image into digestible segments.

Minimize!

Minimalism has a less-is-more approach to art. It uses few elements combined with negative space, allowing each subject the space to breathe. Minimalism loves geometric shapes and lines. They’re two areas of photography that work well together.
It’s characterized by the singular or repetitious use of forms. These can include squares, rectangles, or triangles. Minimalist photography embraces bare-bones imagery. There is very little to distract the eye, giving the subject more prominence in the photo.
Over the years, minimalism has evolved. And you’ll find minimalism in many genres of photography.
Geometric minimalism has remained constant. It aims to capture the beauty of geometric photography through isolation and composition.

Get Some Perspective

Perspective is a powerful tool in the photographer’s toolkit. It often makes the difference between a boring image and an engaging one.
Perspective refers to the spatial relationship between a photographer and a subject. You control the point where the viewer enters the photograph by adjusting perspective. A photograph taken with a camera on the ground will render one visual experience. A camera positioned above a subject looking down, a different one.
In geometric photography, plenty of subjects appear in mundane situations and settings.
Experiment with the positioning of a camera in relation to a geometric subject. You might create an unusual and intriguing perspective.

Investigate Organic/Inorganic Subjects

In geometric visual art, shapes and lines are either organic or inorganic. Organic geometry is flowy, relaxed, and smooth. It’s usually found in natural settings. And inorganic geometry is often sharp, energetic, and human-made. Distinguishing between the two can highlight the underlying themes of a geometric photograph. The inorganic geometric subject matter is ideal if you want to express modernity or energy. If you want to cultivate a sense of ease or nature, organic geometry could be the way to go. Of course, there is a point where the two can interact together. The geometric subject’s organic/inorganic flow or source will dictate the image’s mood.

Find Geometry in Architecture

We have to mention the most popular geometric subject—architecture. From ancient history, humans have sought shelter in fabricated structures. These structures evolved to be a testament to art and ingenuity as human dwellings.
Recording geometrical features in architectural photography speaks to our desire for order. And it celebrates the geometric designs of old and new buildings. We see how something as vital as shelter can become an art form.
Geometric photography can focus on individual buildings. It can even be a study of a small section of a building. Or you can look for geometric studies in cityscape photography. There are bold shapes and hard lines. The urban landscape is the ideal location for a geometric photographer.

Conclusion

Geometric photography appeals to viewers who seek aesthetic studies of the physical world. It’s about finding lines and shapes in the world around us. It examines organic and inorganic environments.
By focusing on geometry, you create engaging photography. And it’s grounded in an innate human tendency to try and make order out of our visual environment.

To prove this, we have collected 31 of Instagram’s most influential architecture photographers. You’ll see why they’re worth a follow!

What Is Architecture Photography?

Architecture photography is a niche that focuses on capturing buildings, monuments, and structures.

It lacks dynamics in the classical sense. But that doesn’t mean these photos have to be boring. Here the emphasis is on playing with composition, lighting, contrast, and textures.

Since it is unlikely that you can move a building, the photographer must respond to the situation. This requires an intuitive eye and knowledge of the correct camera settings.

The Most Influential Architecture Photographers

Let’s take a look at the work of these amazing artists!

1. Fernando Guerra

Fernando is a professional architect. So it’s unsurprising that his photography lends an unconventional perspective of the focal building.

He takes a conscious approach to architecture photography and reveres the structure and purpose of each subject. He often includes humans in his scenes to show the dramatic difference in scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fernando Guerra (@fernandogguerra)

2. Tekla Evelina Severin

Tekla is a colorist, designer, and photographer. She takes innovative and colorful architectural photos, reflecting a sense of playfulness.

She notices the little things that can spice photos up. This includes pieces of furniture, colorful props, and other artsy details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Tekla Evelina Severin (@teklan)

3. Karen Vikke

Karen is a Danish minimalist urban photographer who works only with her iPhone to capture stunning images.

The contrast between the sky and the buildings stands out in her images. She uses vivid colors to highlight the beauty and playfulness of the most ordinary buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Karen Vikke (@vikkeview)

4. José Luis Sáez

José, like the previous artist on our list, is also an iPhone photographer. He takes black-and-white photos to highlight contrast and textures.

His images look mysterious, with the added element of human silhouettes. He uses leading lines and various perspectives to guide his audience through his photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von José Luis Sáez (@jl_saez)

5. Pascal Krumm

Who said that architecture photography has to be boring? Pascal has a talent for finding splendid views and colorful subjects, creating vibrant images full of life.

He often poses models in front of the buildings, adding movement to the pictures. He is also a director of music videos. We recommend checking out his YouTube channel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Pascal Krumm (@pascalkrumm)

6. Paul Eis

Paul is a young visual artist from Germany best known for his colorful architecture makeover series. He realized that he found grey buildings boring. So he adds color to them in Photoshop.

This results in a happy and playful appearance. Paul’s unique technique is one of a kind in the world of architectural photography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Paul Eis (@the_architecture_photographer)

7. Marcus Wagner

Marcus is a part of the Aesthetic Inspiration community, which promotes aspiring artists and shares their work. He captures shapes and repetition in his images, often focusing on staircases and other circular forms.

He often includes models in his photos. We love the striking contrasts between the static buildings and the moving humans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von m a r c u s | frankfurt (@mr.wgnr)

8. Chris Hytha

Chris is an architecture student who embarked on architectural photography while studying. He works with detailed and precise sketches of buildings. These help him focus on the details when taking pictures.

He also posies people in his photos and uses various dynamic compositional techniques. So Chris has images full of movement and life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Hytha (@hytha.cg)

9. Clemente Vergara

Clemente is an architecture photographer based in Barcelona. He experiments with shapes and patterns to create engaging and dynamic compositions. To capture that modern and refined edge, he uses perspective and leading lines to mesmerize the viewer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Clemente Vergara (@clementevb)

10. Matthieu Venot

Matthieu is an engineer and musician who has been a photographer since 2014. He has developed his own style, focusing on architectural angles. This has resulted in abstract geometric images.

He uses the clear sky as an element of composition in his photos. The bright blue sky usually contrasts the vibrant color of the buildings he is framing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Matthieu Venot (@matthieuvenot)

11. Jeanette Hägglund

Jeanette is currently working in several fields of photography, from advertising to fashion to products. Her architecture photos are a favorite with several agencies and companies like Apple.

She aims to find new angles and possibilities in every subject. And she creates colorful and high-contrast architectural images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Jeanette Hägglund (@etna_11)

12. Karina Castro

Apart from taking architectural photos, Karina likes creating images that revolve around socio-political issues. She uses her work to visually analyze the space.

She fills the frame with mindfully composed elements. And she is often collaborating with architects and publishers, as well as holding exhibitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Karina Castro (@karinacastrophotographer)

13. Kyle Jeffers

Kyle is a portrait and architecture photographer who’s also into still life. He has many photo series based on various topics, such as manufactured sculptures or warplanes.

His architectural photos are bright and simple. And he sometimes uses the distinct line between the sky and the building as a source of contrast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kyle Jeffers Photographer (@kylejeffersphoto)

14. JAG Studio

JAG Studio is an organization that offers photography services for architects and interior designers. They collaborate to document the design process work and create new perspectives.

Many of their photos capture contemporary residences and offices. Their images often feature in advertisements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von JAG 🇪🇨 (@jag_studio)

15. Chak Kit

Chak is a photographer and visual artist focusing on artistic architecture photography. He notices and emphasizes the patterns in his surroundings.

He conjures images that get their dynamics from the repetitive forms and shapes. He also likes to capture people in his photos, creating minimalistic figures in front of his subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chak Kit (@_chakmkit)

16. Zsolt Hlinka

Zsolt is a Hungarian photographer with a strong architecture, interior, and real-estate photo portfolio. He uses symmetry and geometry to create balance in his pictures.

He does commissions for clients and takes photos of urban life. Zsolt has won several awards in the field of urban and architectural photography. And his work has been featured in exhibitions worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von HLINKA ZSOLT (@zsolt_hlinka)

17. Andy Hendrata

You will love Andy’s profile if you are looking for urban architecture photos that show symmetry and patterns! His images capture reflections and other balanced compositional elements.

He often includes models in his images, who somewhat break the symmetry of the buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von A n d y | Netherlands (@andyhendrata)

18. Marta Ferreira

Marta is a minimalist urban architect and artist who frames the sophisticated beauty in the inanimate world around us. She uses colors and shapes as the main elements in her pictures.

She usually works with pastel tones. And she likes to include humans in her photos, which humanizes the bright tones of the buildings she takes photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marta Ferreira (@martanferreira)

19. Mark Fearnley

Mark is a UK-based fine-art street photographer who often dabbles in architectural photos. He started as an interior decorative artist and slowly transitioned to painting on canvas and taking photographs.

He uses humans as a key element of his photos. And he often brings emotion into his black-and-white images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Mark Fearnley (@mark.fearnley)

20. Marcus Cederberg

Marcus is a Swedish photographer. Minimalist at heart, he creates meaningful shots using as few elements as possible.

He often experiments with windows and staircases in his images. His images are exhibited in Stockholm, Hong Kong, Rome, and other cities worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marcus (@marcuscederberg)

21. Varun Thota

Varun stands out as an architectural photographer. He often works with drones that result in a majestic panoramic view of the scene. And he has a background in IT.

He uses photography to stir his creativity and make visually appealing images. He has also collaborated with brands such as Uber and UBS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Varun Thota (@vnthota)

22. Inge Schuster

Inge transforms architecture into an art form. She has an eye for extraordinary compositions.

Many of her images are black and white. But she also likes to play with colors—sometimes including one or two accent tones in one picture. She often includes humans as silhouettes to make her photos even more eye-catching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by @inge.schuster

23. Kan Kankavee

Kan is a street, travel, and architecture photographer from Thailand. He regularly uses a bird’s-eye view to capture the entirety of a scene from an unusual perspective.

His images are full of life, often including humans in his frames. He also plays with leading lines and long-exposure photography to give his images an extra zing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Kan Kankavee (@kankankavee)

24. Andria Darius Pancrazi

Andria has a minimalistic and dreamy style of architectural photography. He takes photos of individual houses and then goes crazy coloring them.

You can identify his photos by the signature warm pink, which adds atmosphere to his images. He also often plays with shadows of organic objects on architectural facades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by andria darius pancrazi. (@pancrazi)

25. Xiao Han

Xiao is a Shanghai-based visual artist who creates dynamic yet refined architectural photos. Her images are unique because she includes herself in most of them as an element.

She’s particularly gifted with harmonizing the various colors and forms of the buildings she shoots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Xiao Han (@hx1125)

26. Helin Bereket

Helin is an architect who plunged into photography when studying the connection between architecture and art. She cooperated with brands such as Samsung, Nikon, and Audi.

Her style is highly creative and innovative. And she finds something worth capturing in every environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Helin Bereket (@helinbereket)

27. Toni Stadler

Toni is a photographer and traveler from Berlin. He takes images of details that most people cease to notice.

Whether underground tunnels, staircases, or building constructions, Toni knows how to bring the most of each subject. He likes to include humans and animals in his photos to create a sense of motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Toni Stadler | Berlin (@tonistadlr)

28. Jeroen Peters

Jeroen is a Dutch photographer who aims to combine architecture with minimalism. He loves focusing on structures and patterns. And he uses colors very mindfully, only including a selection of them in each picture.

His favorite subjects are abstract and modern buildings. These best serve his minimalistic style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von jeroen peters | amsterdam (@jptrsnl)

29. Kallel Trevenzoli Gomes

Kallel is a Brazilian creative photographer who is also an imaginative storyteller. His approach to architectural photography makes the buildings appear to have emerged from a flat screen.

He uses movement and dynamic compositions to create an active atmosphere in his images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Kallel Trevenzoli Gomes (@kallelgomes)

30. Vesa Pihanurmi

Vesa is a Finnish multi-award-winning photographer. His work has been published and exhibited several times.

He specializes in architecture and street photos and creates a somewhat foggy and gloomy atmosphere. And he excels at creating minimalistic fine art photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Vesa Pihanurmi | Photo Artist (@vesapihanurmi)

31. Gustavo Romeiro

Gustavo is a Brazilian product designer and architecture photographer currently located in Portugal. He has held many exhibitions in his hometown, Rio de Janeiro. He’s best known for his spectacular black-and-white architecture photos.

We love how he creates a contrast between the background and his subject. Gustavo has a keen eye for details—a quality that goes a long way in this niche!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Gustavo Romeiro (@gustavoromeiro)

Conclusion: Most Influential Architecture Photographers

Architecture photography is not as popular a niche as travel or portrait photography. But take a look at the work of these amazing architecture photographers. And you will learn many ways of making mundane objects appear majestic.

We hope our list will inspire you and help you become an influential photographer yourself! Do you agree with our list? Drop us a comment with your favorite architecture photographer under this post!

We are always on the lookout for exciting new photographers. If you are an architecture photographer and feel like you should be on our list, email us at emma@expertphotography.com with your bio, website, and Instagram link!

What You Will Need to Shoot Urban Architecture Photography

You don’t need much in the way of gear to land great architecture shots (or to follow this tutorial). Your creativity and composition will take you much further than an expensive camera or lens.
Still, if you want to pursue the field seriously, there are a few items you should consider. Here are the ones mentioned in this article:

• Camera (obviously). Ideally this would be a DSLR, but most of these tips will work for cell phone and/or point-and-shoot photography as well. If you’re not using a DSLR, it’s best to choose a camera that can shoot in the Raw format.
• Tripod (or other stabiliser) and a way to remotely trigger your shutter.
• Wide Angle Lens
• Filters (polarizing, graduated, and neutral density)
• Post-processing software

12. Take the Time to Really Get to Know the Space

To capture the essence of a building, whether inside or out, you’ll need to take some time to get to know it. On a practical level, this means scouting out the location, noticing how the sun travels, where the shadows are at different times of day, checking out the various access points, and seeing where lines converge.
Look for unusual angles and unusual perspectives. Notice if and when people are about and decide whether you want to include them in your shot.
On the conceptual side of things, do some research. Who built it? Why? Is there any compelling history? How have others photographed the building?
All of these things can significantly influence how you choose to go about capturing the space. Conversely, you can focus on just structure and geometry alone—just make sure to investigate all the possibilities.

11. Watch Your Lines

One of the most important keys to good architecture shots is to make sure your lines go precisely where they’re supposed to. Vertical lines should be vertical, horizontal lines, horizontal. Sounds elementary, but in reality, it can be very challenging, especially if you have to tilt the camera up to get all of a building in the frame.
Parallel lines will start to converge (also known as keystoning), and the building will look like it’s falling backwards. Also, if you’re using a wide-angle lens, you’ll probably have a fair amount of distortion to cope with.
For keystoning, try putting some distance between you and the building or getting to a higher point of view. A tilt-shift lens will also fix the problem, though it can be quite expensive.
For lens distortion (and for those of us who can’t afford a tilt-shift lens), you’ll need to fix things in post-processing.

10. Outdoors: Catch the Light

As in all photography, lighting is one of the key elements that will make or break your shot. For exterior shots, the old landscape adage holds true here: “shoot during the golden and blue hours.”
The golden hour is the first and last hour of sunlight in a day; the blue hour is the hour before sunrise and after sunset. It’s during these times that you’ll get the best quality of light.
Many photographers aim for that magical time slot where there is still light in the sky (the blue hour) and the city lights have just come on. There are only a few weeks of the year that this happens naturally, but it’s magical when it does.
Of course, if you’re into night photography, waiting until all the light is out of the sky will work as well.

9. Indoors: Make the Light Work for You

Lighting-wise, interior shots tend to be more complicated than exterior shots. Unless you’re able to bring your own lighting equipment, you’ll have to make do with the lighting that’s there, which may or may not be easy to work with.
If there are windows, make sure to shoot during the brighter hours of the day to maximise the natural light available. For low-level lighting, you’ll need a tripod for stabilization during long exposure shots.
Also, if you’re not shooting in Raw, you’ll want to take extra care with your white balance. Artificial light can change how we perceive the color of building elements.

8. The Magic of HDR

While easily overused, HDR can solve a lot of problems in architectural photography. More specifically, it can resolve issues of potential over- and under-exposure when you can’t use your own lighting set up.
For example, if you need the detail outside a window to show up as well as the interior of the room, HDR can help set you straight. On the artistic side, it’s also great for creative exterior shots, like the one above.
It does need some post-processing prowess to make it look its best (and not “overcooked” as some might say the shot above is). But for beginners and those without time or inclination to set up their own lights (interior shots), and photographers looking to add drama to exterior shots, it can create magic.

7. Don’t Forget the Details

Most people focus on capturing buildings as a whole. But shooting from a macro or conceptual level oftentimes will open up an entirely new can of possibilities.
Keep a look out for details and geometric patterns that others might not notice, particularly with older buildings. How do the lines interact with each other? How does the light emphasise the texture of the building materials? Where do the shadows fall?
A little bit of exploration might not only grant you some fantastic shots, but it may also help you discover something new or exciting about the building’s construction or history, allowing you to add more story into your shots.

6. Look for a Unique Angle

While some photographers like recreating “iconic” shots, many of us like to produce something original, something unique to us. That means finding a unique perspective.
During your walk-through (tip 1), take the time to look around in ways you might not have otherwise. Sometimes all it takes is to shift your camera a few inches up or down or to merely look up.
For exterior shots, explore all the sides of the building from both near and far. For even more creative potential, see if you can get onto balconies or rooftops. Anything that will give you a perspective not ordinarily photographed.
Keep safety in mind though, and always make sure you’re not trespassing.

5. Add the Context

If you’re into telling stories with your images, you might want to consider including a building’s context. Context helps a viewer place a structure in both space and time. For exterior shots, this can include weather and cloud formations as well as the scenery surrounding the building.
For example, in the photo above the photographer chose to make the most of the blue hour and the lights on in the foreground by including them in the shot.
It’s not for every shot, though. In the case of real estate photography, the larger context will often make or break a sale, which will determine whether you include it or not. Also, if you’re going for an abstract, geometrical image, then context is not as relevant.

4. Don’t Forget the Human Element

Incorporating the human element into architectural photography is still one of the most underutilised techniques. It’s as if we think that adding people to the frame will somehow contaminate the pure, designed beauty or the building.
But buildings were designed for and by people. Adding people in can bring a substantial level of dimension and interest to your image. It allows us to see the building from the perspective of the those living or working in it. We can better understand the functionality of the space, what it was built for, how it interacts with us.
On a practical level, it will allow you to create a sense of scale in your image. In the photo above, we can see just how tiny one human being is when compared to the length of the library.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Reflections

Reflections can either be your best friend or your worst enemy, depending on how you capture them. Used well, they can add a level of depth, brightness, and interest to your image that otherwise wouldn’t exist.
On the downside, it’s sometimes easy to get yourself caught in one unawares, especially in interior shots. So, unless you’re wanting to be found lurking in the picture, make sure you know where all the windows and mirrors in a room are and what they’re reflecting.

2. Invest in Urban Architecture Photography Gear

Luckily, you probably already have most of the gear you need to shoot great architecture shots: a decent DSLR, a tripod, and a remote shutter cable. The next step is to invest in a wide-angle lens, which will often allow you to fit the entire frame of the building into a single shot. I don’t recommend a fish-eye lens, as the distortion tends to be fairly extreme.
Adding some filters to your kit is never a wrong choice, especially if you shoot a lot of exterior shots. A graduated filter will tone down the brightness of the sky while leaving the foreground adequately exposed.
A neutral density filter will allow you more range in long exposure shots. And polarising filters can help control unwanted reflections and add more color/contrast to the sky.
If you want to go the whole hog though, then invest in a tilt-shift lens. It will cut down your post-processing work considerably.

1. Learn Post-Processing

Last but not least, all quality photos need some level of post-processing. Generally speaking, the more skill you have in post-processing, the more influence you’ll have on your image’s final outlook and quality.
Unfortunately, if you’re not already using image editing software, the choices might seem staggering. Whichever you end up choosing, make sure it can work with Raw photos (even if you’re not yet shooting in Raw) and that it does lens corrections.
If you’re intended to try HDR, you’ll need special software to merge photos. Advanced photo editors like Photoshop or Lightroom can do this; you can also go for editors like Photomatix or Aurora HDR that were designed specifically for working with HDR images.

Conclusion

Aesthetically speaking, urban architecture photography has an incredible amount to offer: a multitude of lines, angles, geometric shapes, and textures that can create a vast array of photographic opportunities.
In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find such a perfect combination of geometric possibilities in any other genre. Add to that the fact that each building has its own personality, its own unique combination of form and function, and you have a lot to work with.
Hopefully, you’ll find that these tips (and lots of practice) will send you well on your way towards capturing a building’s essence in a way that’s all your own.