Architectural Photographer Saxony
Architectural photography is a fascinating discipline that captures the beauty and complexity of buildings and expresses them in images. Saxony is a state rich in architectural history, from medieval castles and palaces to modern structures. In this article, I will delve into architectural photography in Saxony and show you the tips and tricks I use to uniquely capture your impressive buildings in the region. I hope this article provides you with inspiration and practical advice to take your visual language to a new level.
Equipment
Good equipment is the basic prerequisite for achieving high-quality image results under all conditions. I offer you a wide range of camera technology: from compact cameras with a retro film look for photographs that convey an authentic impression of the moment, to versatile full-frame cameras that capture your property with the highest precision. As an internationally awarded Hasselblad Master Photographer for architecture, I also use high-resolution medium format camera technology from Hasselblad for the highest quality standards.
With my tilt-shift lenses, I ensure that the straight lines of your buildings always remain straight, and with a focal length range from 15mm to 105mm, I capture every mood around your property, from detailed shots to expansive spatial impressions.
An important component of my photography is lighting with flash. My goal is always to complement the natural lighting mood, rather than change it. With this technique, my architectural photographs radiate contrast and color intensity in a fresh, modern aesthetic.
As a certified drone pilot since 2017, I have gained extensive experience in the use of UAVs in over 300 flights and even won the Drone Talent Award 2022 with creative photographs. While observing the legal framework, my aim is to constantly discover new perspectives on architectural photography with aerial shots.
I also use a variety of techniques in the field of moving images, from drone videos and time-lapse recordings to three-axis motion units, in order to bring static properties to life in an exciting way.
The studio is always with you: Photography with the medium format camera directly into the computer
Preparation
As an architectural photographer from Saxony, I can react very spontaneously to current weather conditions. Preparation is the key to the success of a photo shoot for me. I use various programs to plan my shots according to the best position of the sun for your property, even months in advance if necessary. With special weather maps, I follow the movement of the different cloud layers on a daily basis and look for the best time window for optimal image results.
Shooting
During the shoot, I use a structured shot list to ensure that all important perspectives are photographed. Of course, there is also room for spontaneity in every shoot to capture authentic moments. True to the motto: Luck is the reward of good preparation.
Using cloud transfer, you can follow the results of the photo shoot on the same day, even if you are not on site. This facilitates spontaneous agreements on lighting, composition and motif selection. You can also follow the current shooting status on iPads or computers on the photo set and incorporate your own wishes into the shoot.
Image editing and video editing
There are shots where everything simply fits. Perfect light, a beautiful environment and perfectly styled rooms. In such moments, a great picture can be created (almost) without image editing with a few contrast and color adjustments. For all other situations, it is important to develop creative solutions. By combining multiple images and using modern AI software, many problems can be solved that cannot be changed in reality. From misplaced sockets to material discolorations and construction site barriers to optimizable lighting conditions, I create the shine that your property deserves.
I complement video recordings with atmospheric music and, upon request, with professional speakers. Video recordings with resolutions up to 12k and 16-bit color depth allow for endless creative possibilities in terms of color adjustments and animations during editing.
Example Projects
Since 2012, I have photographed over 1,000 properties as an architectural photographer in Saxony. My assignments range from day shoots for single-family homes, educational and cultural sites, to veritable mammoth projects such as urban landscape photography for BILD Leipzig, 111 aerial photographs of Dresden for an art collection in the Bellevue Hotel, and a project for the Dresden City Archives, which portrays our state capital in 7,500 images. Let yourself be inspired by my projects from the past decade:
Trinitatiskirche (Trinity Church) - Code Unique Architects
The Trinitatiskirche in Dresden is a wonderful example of the combination of old building restoration and new construction. In the 20th century, the church was destroyed down to its foundations but was used by a local youth association as a meeting place and venue. CODE UNIQUE Architekten reinforced the old facade and integrated a concrete cube into the church, which now houses several administrative offices and a large community hall. This is how new generations of young people are made aware of architectural history in Saxony.
Cityscape Photographer - Dresden City Archives
As the official cityscape photographer of our state capital, I am part of a tradition that is over a hundred years old. In my photographs, I refer, among other things, to the works of Otto Richter, who re-photographed old copper engravings at the end of the 19th century. In the years 2021-2023, I am creating 7,500 photographs from all 10 districts of Dresden with exact GPS data in order to precisely locate each building. During the recordings, I focus on various key themes, such as schools and administration, nature in the city, current gaps in construction, transport and traffic, and the cultural city of Dresden. The resulting collection of images is a contemporary document of Dresden's cityscape and will form an important basis for research and marketing of the state capital of Saxony for decades to come.
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology in Dresden by Lemke Fukerider Architekten GmbH
Sächsische Aufbaubank Leipzig - ACME
When the Sächsische Aufbaubank (Saxony Development Bank) announced its plans for the new construction of its company headquarters in Leipzig, these were met with controversy. Construction delays and additional costs fueled the criticism even more, and the British architecture firm ACME also distanced itself from the plan changes to the building. Despite all the negative voices, this building has been a firm fixture on my photographic wish list from the first day of construction. After a few years of waiting and persistent acquisition, I then had the opportunity to photograph the building from the basement to the roof, not only for SAB, but also for ACME, landscape architects Simons and Hinze, and FUCHS Fertigteilwerke (precast concrete plant). The recording resulted in a beautiful project that earned me first place in the architecture category at the Drone Talent Award 2022 and entry into the final at the M.Mode Award 2023.
Saxony Chamber of Architects
As a great architecture enthusiast, I have been supporting the Saxon Chamber of Architects for several years in documenting the National Day of Architecture. On the last weekend in June, architectural offices throughout Saxony open their doors and guide visitors through their latest construction projects. The combination of wonderful buildings and interested guests always creates lively snapshots of the interaction between people and buildings.
With my roots in commercial advertising photography, the Saxon Chamber of Architects was also able to rely on me for the redesign of its website and print products. In several photo shoots, we created a photo pool on consulting situations and further training offers of the chamber.
Festung Experience - Raum und Bau
A project from the pen of the architecture firm Raum und Bau, which was presented at the Day of Architecture, is the Festung Experience in the heart of Dresden. The interactive museum only reveals its existence through a heavily armored elevator that transports visitors into the depths of the Dresden city fortifications. Underground, newly created pathways guide systems through the labyrinth of the fortress complex. Learn more about the project in my article on the Day of Architecture:
Weesenstein Castle - Saxon Real Estate and Construction Management
The Saxon Real Estate and Construction Management is the most important public client for the new construction and renovation of buildings in Saxony. As an architectural photographer, I support
the state-owned company in the building documentation of its projects. In Weesenstein Castle in Eastern Saxony, the SIB had a chapel restored. The ceiling paintings, as well as a variety of wooden sculptures and stucco elements, were restored here with great attention to detail. These details were also the main focus in my architectural photographs.
archive der avantgarden - Nieto Sobejano
The Spanish architecture firm Nieto Sobejano has already realized many outstanding buildings in Germany. The Bavaria Towers in Munich, for example, have become a striking part of the cityscape. In Dresden, the firm has another project in a prominent location. The Archives of the Avant-Garde will be inserted as a new concrete cube into the core-renovated Blockhaus and will house over a million documents, letters, photos, sketches and drawings from 2023.
Jakobstraße Elementary School - O+M
When it came to choosing the university where I wanted to study, I finally decided on the university whose architecture I liked best. I am all the more pleased that more and more emphasis is being placed on high-quality, appealing architecture in elementary schools, secondary schools and grammar schools. An outstanding example of this is the Jakobstraße Elementary School in Chemnitz by Otto + Müller Architekten. The spacious atrium lets the thoughts fly and offers the school an impressive event space for its celebrations.
Dresden from above - Bellevue Hotel Dresden
One hundred and eleven large-format aerial photographs of Dresden for a photographic art series. What an exciting challenge! “Bellevue – Dresden from above” was created as a photographic art series commissioned by the Bilderberg Bellevue Hotel Dresden. The hotel already bears its beautiful view (la belle vue) over the city on the Elbe in its name. This is where the image concept “Bellevue - Dresden from above” comes in. Over 100 image motifs accompany the hotel guest on his journey through the city without him having to set foot outside the door. The bird's-eye view of the photographs invites you to perceive familiar places and architecture in a new way and to pay attention to details that you have never noticed during a city tour.
Leipzig - City in Motion
Stadt die Bewegt (City in Motion) is a video that uses special time-lapse technology to show Leipzig from a new perspective. In the last nine years, Leipzig has been the focus of many of my productions, both in freelance projects and for architects, developers and hotels. With each new project, it is a challenge for me to see such a familiar place with new eyes.
Your next photo shoot
Do you need an experienced architectural photographer for your next construction project in Saxony? Then please contact me for a non-binding project discussion. I would be happy to advise you on all questions relating to architectural photography, drone shots and video productions. I look forward to hearing from you!
