As a photographer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve captured thousands of buildings, and I’ve learned that you don’t need a fancy camera to take great shots. In fact, modern smartphones are powerful tools for photography! Below are some simple tips to help you take fantastic photos of buildings using just your phone.
Whether you’re capturing a cityscape or a cozy house, these techniques will make a big difference. Let's dive in!
Tip 1: Camera Placement
Where you hold your phone can completely change the look of your photo. With just a few adjustments, you can make your building shots stand out.
Height Matters: Try holding your phone at different heights. For example, if you take a photo at eye level, you’ll capture the building as most people see it. But if you hold your phone above your head or closer to the ground, it can give a dramatic new perspective. Experiment with this by squatting down or raising your phone higher!
Move Closer or Farther: Getting too close to a building might make it look distorted (the lines won’t be straight). If you want the building to look more realistic, stand a bit farther back and zoom in. You’ll get a cleaner shot, and the building will look more natural.
Play with Zoom: Use your phone’s zoom feature to change the look of your photo. Wide-angle shots (like the “0.5x” setting on many phones) can make a building look huge and artistic. Zooming in (2x or more) gives a tighter, more accurate image. Try both to see what you like!
Captured from an elevated perspective, here I'm aiming the camera at a distant Chicago skyline while at 3x zoom.
Tip 2: Framing Your Shot
Framing means how you place the building in your photo. It’s an easy way to make your shots look more professional.
Use Objects in the Foreground: Look around for things that can “frame” the building, like tree branches, people walking by, or other nearby structures. This helps guide the viewer’s eye to the building. For example, try taking a photo of a tall building with some tree leaves in the corner of the shot—it’ll make the photo more interesting!
Center or Off-Center? A simple trick is to place the building in the middle of the photo for a balanced look. Or, place the building off to one side to create a more dynamic composition. Both styles can look great, so try each one and see what you prefer.
Use the Background: If you're in a city, try using other buildings as a backdrop. Or if you’re in nature, mountains or clouds can add a stunning background. Experiment with what’s around you to create a more compelling shot.
Asymmetrical composition of the famous Chicago Bean. Where are you focused in this shot?
Symmetrical composition of the Bean, now with the skyline as a backdrop. How does your attention shift?
Tip 3: Find Unique Perspectives
Look at buildings from angles most people wouldn’t think of—this can turn an average photo into an amazing one!
Get Close: Stand closer to the building and look for cool details. Is there an interesting pattern on the wall or a reflection in the windows? Capture those up-close details to show the building in a new way.
Use Reflections: Rain puddles, glass windows, or even car mirrors can create stunning reflection shots of buildings. Reflections add an artistic touch, and it’s fun to experiment with how they change the look of your subject.
Shoot From Different Angles: Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you hold your phone. Lie down on the ground and shoot upward for a dramatic shot. Or try taking a photo from a higher place, like standing on a bench or balcony, to capture the building from above.
Here the Bean takes on a non-traditional form, with a playful father protecting the giant metallic legume from crushing the city (and his kids)
Tip 4: Edit Your Photos
Editing can take a good photo and make it great. Luckily, your phone has built-in tools that make it easy to adjust your images.
Use Your Phone’s Built-In Tools: Start by using the editing features already in your photos app. Brightness, shadows, contrast, and vibrance are simple sliders that can improve your photo in seconds.
Straighten Your Lines: In building photography, crooked lines can make your photo look off. Use the "straighten" tool to make sure the building looks upright and parallel to the edges of your photo. This is especially helpful for capturing tall buildings.
Play With Color: Adjust the color balance to create a specific mood—make the colors warmer (more yellow) for a sunny, golden look, or cooler (more blue) for a clean, modern vibe.
Uncropped photo, without straightening applied.
Cropped photo, with straightening applied.
Tip 5: Prepare Your Phone Camera
Before you start shooting, make sure your phone is ready for action!
Turn on Grid Lines: This will help you line up the building perfectly and balance your shot. Most phones have this option in the camera settings.
Use 4:3 Aspect Ratio: Switch from the default “widescreen” (16:9) to “4:3” aspect ratio in your camera settings. This will give you more room to crop the image without losing quality.
Clean Your Lens: Always make sure your camera lens is clean. A quick wipe can make a huge difference in sharpness!
Conclusion
With just a few easy adjustments and some creativity, you can capture stunning photos of buildings using only your phone. All images referenced on this page were captured and edited on my iPhone. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles, distances, and editing techniques. Remember, photography is all about practice—so get out there and start shooting!
Chad Davies, CEO & Founder of Davies Imaging Group
