Architecture; The importance of an interesting sky

Idaho Falls LDS Temple

When photographing architecture, and especially in black and white, I look for interesting skies. Without clouds, the sky becomes just a boring gray tone. I have just one word of caution, though. If the sky is too dramatic, then it can overpower the building, detracting from the original intent of the photo.

Notice the composition in this image. The building is surrounded by, and rising out of the trees. I have included the landscaping as a way to frame the temple and give the image a solid base. With the sky, I positioned the camera so as to place the spire in a darker part of the sky and surround it with clouds, helping to draw attention and frame the building. The evening light was soft enough to allow detail in both highlight and shadow, yet hard enough and at a low enough of an angle to create depth and dimension in the structure. Light quality, whether natural or artificial, is the key to successful photography.