Edinburgh University were looking for architectural and interior photographers to photograph their campus facilities to promote the University to overseas students. Over the years we have photographed quite a lot of student accommodation in Edinburgh but this was the first time photographing the University itself.
From a photographers’ perspective, the brief was quite simple but also quite challenging. The university were quite clear on which facilities they wanted photographed. The challenge was that due to the new data protection laws, no students could be featured; possible during the holidays but quite challenging during term time.
It was important to show some of the bike storage facilities at the University. Unfortunately, the bike racks were in permanent shadow so HDR was used for the shot to minimise the contrast between the building which was lit and the racks.
The student accommodation was quite straightforward, as we had access to rooms which hadn’t been let. For the exteriors of buildings, it either involved having to wait a long time for the scene to be free of people or using long exposures to blur people.
The level of daylight also affects the photography of interiors. The lighting in the room wasn’t very atmospheric and it was quite dull outside so we used HDR to create more of a light spring feel to the room.
As photographers, the other challenge we faced was this wasn’t the ideal time of year to be taking architectural and interior shots in Edinburgh or indeed anywhere else in Scotland. In December the sun is always very low which means that some building elevations either never get direct sun or if they do there is always a shadow cast from other buildings nearby. As photographers we always aim to photograph buildings in their best light but if deadlines are pressing and the situation isn’t ideal then we have to use other methods to create a good image.
Photographing a busy University library wasn’t easy so we had to wait quite a while to get a clear shot.
One of these is a technique called HDR, where you take a series of bracketed exposures and then combine these using software. This allows you to capture a wider dynamic range than you could with a single image. Used in the wrong hands this technique can look vary false (you often see amateur images which look like paintings) but carefully used it can be very effective. This is the technique we used for most of the photographs of Edinburgh University, including some of the larger interiors where it wasn’t possible to use additional lighting.
If you are looking for architectural or interior photographers to photograph your facilities, buildings or projects in Edinburgh or further afield then why not drop us an email or call us on 0131 639 0001
Edinburgh University has some of the most impressive Gyms facilities I’ve seen including this room which is in the basement. The current gym partly uses an old building which used to be at the warehouse of a brewery.