In 1826, the first photograph ever was taken by Nicephore Niepce who chose to capture the view of neighboring buildings from an upstairs window. As a static object, buildings presented themselves early on as a still, and easy, focus for initial iterations of the camera. Though, even as apertures became shorter, architecture remained a popular subject of photography continuously drawing the attention of the camera lens.
From the pages of National Geographic to our instagram feeds, our image-obsessed culture is abound with sharp angled views of shadowed skyscrapers and dazzling captures of the latest starchitect's creation. But, architectural photography is more than a photograph with a building in it and this year's finalists for Arcaid Images annual Architectural Photography Awards remind how documenting structures can and should be so much more than just that. By picking just the right vantage point, lighting, weather conditions, and other types of "magic," the 20 finalists have created images that do more than just document buildings, they've created a spatial experience and left us with quite the feast for the eyes!
The shortlist is divided into four categories: "Buildings in Use," "Exteriors," "Interiors," and "Sense of Place" and will be exhibited at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Berlin from 15th - 17th November. Visitors to WAF will be able to cast their vote for the overall winner, which will be announced during the Gala Dinner on Friday 17th November.
FINALISTS IN "EXTERIOR" CATEGORY:
↑ Photographer: David Crawford | Project: Samsung Electronics HQ building in San Jose, California by NBBJ
↑ Photographer: Adam Letch | Project: A recently completed chapel built on Bosjes farm in Ceres, Cape Town by Steyn Studio
↑ Photographer: Brian Rose | Project: North wall of the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
↑ Photographer: Wison Tungthunya | Project: SALA Ayutthaya, a hotel in Ayutthaya, Thailand by Onion Co. Ltd.
↑ Photographer: Laurian Ghinitoiu | Project: Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo, Japan by Kazuyo Sejima
FINALISTS IN "INTERIOR" CATEGORY:
↑ Photographer: Terrence Zhang | Project: Gymnasium of New Campus of Tianjin University, China by Atelier Li Xinggang
↑ Photographer: Yao Li | Project: Dongzhuang-Building Museum of the Western Regions, China by Xinjiang Wind Architectural Design & Research Institute
↑ Photographer: Wison Tungthunya | Project: Baan Moom, a private residence in Bangkok, Thailand by Integrated Field
↑ Photographer: Zhenfei Wang | Project: Tianrenhe Museum, Hangzhou, China by HHDFUN
↑ Photographer: Ryan Koopmans | Project: Ponte City Apartments in Johannesburg, South Africa by architect Manfred Hermer
FINALISTS IN "SENSE OF PLACE" CATEGORY:
↑ Photographer: Terrence Zhang | Project: Folk Art Museum, China Academy of Arts in Hangzhou, China by Kengo Kuma
↑ Photographer: Fabio Mantovani | Project: Choi Hung Estate in Hong Kong
↑ Photographer: Tom Roe | Project: Messner Mountain Museum Corones, Bolzano, South Tyrol in Italy by Zaha Hadid Architects
↑ Photographer: Conchi Martinez | Project: Museum of Pop Culture (formerly known as the EMP Museum) by architect Frank Gehry, Seattle, USA
↑ Photographer: Tom Stahl | Project: Black Rock Lighthouse Service in the Nevada desert, USA
FINALISTS IN "BUILDINGS IN USE" CATEGORY:
↑ Photographer: Siyuan Ma | Project: Selegie House in Singapore by the Housing and Development Board, Singapore
↑ Photographer: Martine Hamilton Knight | Project: Derby Arena Velodrome, UK by Faulkner Browns Architects
↑ Photographer: David Borland | Project: ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Museum, Aarhus, Denmark by schmidt hammer lassen / Olafur Eliasson
↑ Photographer: Tom Stahl | Project: An office building in Beijing, China
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