Stunning Architectural Photography: Showcasing the Essence of Buildings

Exploring Architectural Photography Through the Arcaid Images Awards

The Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards highlight twenty shortlisted images showcasing buildings from all around the world. This year, the selection features remarkable structures such as the Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai.

Categories and Judging Criteria

The submitted images are categorized into four distinct sections: Exteriors, Interiors, Sense of Place, and Building in Use. Each image is critically evaluated based on how effectively it translates architectural sophistication into a comprehensible two-dimensional format.

The images are split according to four categories - Exteriors, Interiors, Sense of Place, and Building in Use -- and judged according to how they 'translate the sophistication of architecture into a readable and understandable two dimensions'.
The images are split according to four categories – Exteriors, Interiors, Sense of Place, and Building in Use — and judged according to how they “translate the sophistication of architecture into a readable and understandable two dimensions”.

Notable Winners and Their Perspectives

Fernando Guerra emerged victorious with a striking image of student accommodation located in Ecublens, Switzerland. Guerra remarked, “I was waiting all day to get the photo; five minutes before I took it, the place was completely empty because everyone was inside their quarters watching the football match.” This reveals his dedication to capturing unique moments in architectural photography.

Fernando Guerra won the overall prize with his shot of student accommodation in Ecublens, Switzerland. 'I was waiting all day to get the photo,' he remembers. 'Five minutes before I took it, the place was completely empty because everyone was inside their quarters watching the football match.'
Fernando Guerra won the overall prize with his shot of student accommodation in Ecublens, Switzerland. “I was waiting all day to get the photo,” he remembers. “Five minutes before I took it, the place was completely empty because everyone was inside their quarters watching the football match.”

Diverse Architectural Styles on Display

The architectural styles featured throughout the shortlisted images exhibit considerable variety. The Sense of Place category includes both towering residential buildings on the Dubai coast and a school project led by the architectural charity Article 25 in Burkina Faso.

The architecture featured in the shortlisted images varies widely -- the Sense of Place category features towering residential buildings on the Dubai coast, and a school project by architectural charity Article 25 in Burkina Faso.
The architecture featured in the shortlisted images varies widely — the Sense of Place category features towering residential buildings on the Dubai coast, and a school project by architectural charity Article 25 in Burkina Faso.

The Evolution of Architectural Photography

One of the most striking trends in contemporary architectural photography is the inclusion of life within the frames; many shortlisted works feature people, showcasing a shift away from the earlier trend of portraying lifeless buildings. Guerra has stated, “I want to show life in those buildings,” emphasizing the need for a photojournalistic approach to architectural photography.

A striking feature is how many of the shortlisted works have people in them, demonstrating how in 2015 architectural photography has moved away from the trend for showing buildings stripped of life.
A striking feature is how many of the shortlisted works have people in them, demonstrating how in 2015 architectural photography has moved away from the trend for showing buildings stripped of life.

By highlighting the interplay between architecture and the people who inhabit these spaces, the Arcaid Awards have successfully showcased the importance of context within architectural photography. This perspective not only helps to humanize structures but also illustrates their role as functional spaces rather than mere monuments.

Conclusion

The Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards provide an essential platform for recognizing skilled photographers who capture the unique relationship between architectural forms and the lives that they encompass. The variety and depth of the submissions serve as a testament to the evolving nature of architectural photography and its significance in understanding our built environment.

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