Introduction to Architectural Photography
A course by Leonardo FinottiPhotographer and Visual Artist
A course by Leonardo Finotti, Photographer and Visual Artist
Learn to observe, understand, and document constructed spaces
Cities are living organisms full of both visible and hidden stories. Renowned photographer Leonardo Finotti, whose work has been exhibited at the Bauhaus, the Venice Biennale, and MoMA, is an expert in investigating and documenting urban spaces to create fascinating visual narratives that promote reflection.
In this online course, learn the foundations of architectural photography to take photos with constructed spaces as the protagonists. Leonardo teaches you to plan a photo essay that captures the peculiarity of each space, along with how to make the best decisions in terms of equipment, lighting, composition, and other technical aspects.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 13 downloads
Architectural photography
6 minutes, 43 seconds
Start of a project
5 minutes, 7 seconds
Knowing the subject of the project
6 minutes, 9 seconds
Light as a guide
12 minutes, 9 seconds
My equipment
8 minutes, 58 seconds
Daily planning
5 minutes, 13 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Leonardo Finotti and his career, from his architecture studies to his transition to photography, which he's now been doing professionally for 25 years. He also talks about his biggest influences and sources of inspiration.
Discover the main characteristics of architectural photography and the differences between personal projects and commissions. Leonardo shares a case study, analyzing aspects such as use of light and equipment.
Next, see what important aspects you need to consider when planning your photo essay and preparing your shoot location. Get some detailed tips on technical things like lighting, perspective, and composition.
Then Leonardo walks you through his post-production process. To wrap up the course, digitally edit your images and build narratives before exploring different formats for displaying your work.
What is this course's project?
Document an interior or exterior space of your choice.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in photography who wants to capture architectural works from a unique perspective.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary for this course.
In terms of materials, all you need is a camera (a DSLR or phone) and an image editing software.
Reviews
- 4 months ago
Lo que esperaba. Recomendado.
- 5 months ago
Super amei o curso. Sou arquiteta urbanista e sempre gostei de fotografia, ja fiz uns trabalhos com fotos alguns anos atras mas eram com eventos, hoje trabalho na arquitetura. Mas a fotografia me pega de um jeito que eu amo demais. Vou absorver tudo que vi no curso e praticar. Obrigada por todo conhecimento ao Leonardo. Lindas fotos e lindos trabalhos.
- 9 months ago
O curso é mais baseado na linguagem da fotografia arquitetônica. O fotógrafo basicamente apresenta seu trabalho comentando as decisões feitas paras as fotos. O curso não apresenta conteúdos técnicos que era o que eu estava buscando. Ao mostrar a objetiva tilt-shift, por exemplo, ele apenas mostra a objetiva mas não ensina a usá-la. O mesmo acontece na parte de tratamento da imagem, ele apenas mostra o antes e depois mas não comenta nada tecnicamente do que foi feito.
- 9 months ago
Conteúdo extremamente relevante que nos faz enxergar a arquitetura sob uma nova perspectiva. Essencial não só para fotógrafos de arquitetura, mas para todos que desejam expandir seu repertório visual!
- 9 months ago
O entendimento do olhar do fotógrafo ao captar cada imagem leva ao aprendizado a um outro nível. Excelente curso!
His work, known for shedding a new light on urban spaces, has been exhibited at the Bauhaus, the Venice Biennale, and MoMA.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Preparation
- Architectural photography
- Start of a project
- Knowing the subject of the project
- Light as a guide
- My equipment
- U3
The photo time
- Daily planning
- Equipment setup
- Light, shadow and three-dimensionality
- Composition of perspectives
- U4
Different presentation formats
- Treatment and post-production
- Editing the sequenced narrative
- Presentation formats
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Architectural Photography
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
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FAQs
The course is designed for people with intermediate knowledge of photography or architecture who want to deepen their techniques, develop a personal artistic vision, and understand the relationship between light, space, and architectural composition.
Advanced equipment isn’t required. You can follow the lessons using DSLR or mirrorless cameras, or even smartphones, as long as they allow manual adjustments of exposure and lens settings. The focus is on developing your eye and technique while simplifying equipment use.
You’ll learn how to photograph urban spaces and buildings, master natural and artificial lighting techniques, compose original images, plan shoots, edit photos, build a portfolio, and develop your own visual identity in architectural photography.
The course covers topics like light and weather, jazz-inspired composition, interior and exterior photography, aerial drone shots, perspective correction, editing techniques, image curation, portfolio building, and visual storytelling.
Professional experience isn’t required, but basic photography knowledge and an interest in architecture are recommended. The course deepens techniques and encourages experimentation for those who already know the basics.
Photography enhances projects by highlighting light, texture, perspective, and urban context, creating striking images that communicate the essence and architectural concept to diverse audiences and media.
Yes, the course explores examples of Brazilian modern architecture and international works, including iconic pieces by Oscar Niemeyer and Portuguese references, teaching techniques for various architectural styles and contexts.