Commercial-Building-Photography-Case-Study-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road,-Cardiff

Commercial Building Photography- Case Study.

A Commercial Photography Real-Life Case Study:

Client: Certa Roofing and Cladding

Subject: Capital Quarter Cardiff.

Capital Quarter, near Cardiff Bay is a 26 storey penthouse apartment block with commercial premises at ground level.

Challenges: Height, complex cladding, reflective surfaces, restricted distance from object, distortion introduced by conventional camera lenses, direct and into the light sunshine. Human and vehicular traffic in a confined, busy area.

Case-Study-Cladding-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardif
Case-Study-Cladding-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardif

Construction Challenges for my Client- Certa Roofing & Cladding

“The cladding package consisted of GRC panels, plinths and columns along with anodised copper coloured spandrel panels between windows.

High level soffit areas and anodised cladding features at roof level were particularly challenging, not only from a loading and distribution perspective but also from a risk position.

Careful consideration was taken before we agreed the installation strategy and access arrangements.” Direct quote from Certa’s LinkedIn post.

Construction Challenges for uk construction photography.

Safety was paramount throughout the Capital Quarter project, even though it was completed. I carefully considered my preferred vantage points, balancing the need for compelling shots with minimising disruption to the public and traffic.

To ensure maximum visibility, I used a tripod with reflective strips and wore high-visibility clothing, adhering to the same safety protocols as if I were on an active construction site.

Commercial Photography Planning & preparation

Thorough planning was essential prior to my visit to Capital Quarter Cardiff. Prior to the shoot I conducted extensive research on Capital Quarter and its “built environment ” including its architectural features, construction materials and its surrounding environment.

I am always trying to discover potential “visible obstacles” or access issues to the best viewpoints prior to my visit to reduce my “on site” time and identify any potential hazards I need to be aware of.

Prior to my visit I will consult Google Earth and other online tools such as weather forecasts and websites showing the sun’s position for a given time of day, on a particular day / time of the year so I can show my client’s work at its best.

Behind the scenes Commercial Photography Challenges

A couple of the most common challenges I face as a Commercial Photographer Specialising in Construction/ Architectural/ Building photography are: my client will either have no photographs of the building in progress, or after completion and that building may be part of a “complex” of many other buildings. An official name may not as of yet been assigned. It will just have a technical name that means nothing to Google.

Challenge: Finding the right building!

So my initial challenge may be to ensure I am definitely at the right building! Often there may be several buildings either completed and unoccupied, or in varying stages of development at the same time.

I have also been in the position where there are two building complexes with the same name in different locations! This is where the start of the shoot can be challenging, time consuming and difficult if you are carrying a lot of heavy equipment. Even more so if you struggle to find parking spaces to stop and ask for help.

Fortunately, working with Certa Roofing and Cladding has made my work easier as they are aware of these challenges. They always provide me with print outs of Google Earth images of the buildings- although some may look different depending on the state of completion.

Challenge: very high building with restricted distance from the building.

This is a very common challenge in my line of work as a Commercial Photographer. Often my clients will want to see their building project “in context” that is, in relation to other buildings either surrounding or adjacent to it. maintaining correct perspective for this is crucial.

A simple solution would seem to be tilt your camera upwards towards the sky to include all of the building. This is not a professional solution in this context. That can work for showing “areas of/ close ups” but not in this context. It is for this reason I use a tripod and a professional “tilt and shift lenses”, I have a variety of them.

They are expensive lenses that take time to learn to use, they are totally manual in operation and demand a “considered approach” but they are the ideal too for the job. A tilt and shift lens allows the lens to remain perfectly vertical yet slide up and down in relation to the camera body.

Commercial-Photography-Case-Study-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardiff
Commercial-Photography-Case-Study-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardiff- Client – Certa Roofing & Cladding.

Building Photography Challenge- Highly reflective Surfaces

For Architectural and Building Photographers the is a common challenge. The options available are: Visit when the light is ideal to your needs ( if you are not too far from the project) plan your visit carefully and only go when the conditions are right ( ok if you only have one project to shoot that day- not always the case for me) or use tools to try to mitigate those reflections.

Tools to address photographing reflective surfaces on buildings

Some cladding surfaces / materials come alive when light strikes them, such as Alucobond for example. In this example you may want to retain some of the reflection yet still maintain the “textural detail” of the material. In this instance you could potentially “manage the reflections ( if they are local and not global) by the use of a neutral graduated filter rotated to reduce the level of light hitting the material at that point but not with the purpose of “levelling the reflection out” just to simply reduce it and still allow it to shine.

Alternatively a Polarising Filter may also help, depending on the angle of the sun . You could also use a combination of both if necessary.

Building-Photography-Real-Case-Study-the-challenges-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardiff-
Building-Photography-Real-Case-Study-the-challenges-Capital-Quarter-Tyndall-Road-Cardiff-

Composition in Relation to Photographing Buildings

Composition is a fundamental aspect of Commercial photography that involves arranging elements within the frame to create a visually appealing and impactful image. When photographing buildings, composition plays a particularly important role in conveying their scale, architecture, and surrounding environment. Some basic points I take into consideration-

Leading Lines:

  • Use lines within the scene to guide the viewer’s eye towards the building.
  • These lines can be created by roads, pathways, architectural features, or even shadows.

Framing:

  • Use natural elements within the scene to frame the building, such as trees, doorways, or windows.
  • This can help to create a sense of depth and context.

Symmetry and Asymmetry:

  • Experiment with both symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions.
  • Symmetrical compositions can create a sense of balance and order, while asymmetrical compositions can add visual interest and dynamism.

Perspective:

  • Use perspective to emphasise the building’s scale or create a sense of depth

Foreground Interest:

  • Include elements in the foreground to add depth and context to the image.
  • This could be a person, a tree, or a piece of architecture.

Case Study Conclusion “commercial Photography challenges-Buildings.

Overcoming Obstacles and Capturing the Essence

The Capital Quarter project in Cardiff presented a unique set of challenges, from the building’s towering height and complex cladding to the practical considerations of safety and accessibility.

By combining careful planning, innovative techniques, and a dedication to capturing the building’s true essence, we were able to overcome these obstacles and deliver exceptional photographs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Safety First: Prioritising safety is paramount in any commercial photography project, especially when working on tall buildings.

  • Thorough Planning: Researching the location, understanding the building’s construction, and planning for potential challenges are essential for a successful shoot.

  • Technical Expertise: Utilising specialised equipment, such as tilt-shift lenses and polarising filters, are useful tools for capturing complex architectural subjects.

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Adapting to unexpected challenges and finding innovative solutions is a hallmark of a skilled commercial photographer.

By mastering these elements, I was able to capture the grandeur and complexity of Capital Quarter, showcasing its unique architectural features and the craftsmanship involved in its construction.

My client Certa Roofing and Cladding were delighted with the results.

“James did an amazing job at capturing images of our roofing and cladding work up and down the country. He goes above and beyond to make sure all of the images are to the highest quality. He is fantastic to work with & we will definitely be using him in the near future. Would highly recommend to anyone.”

Links to my Client Certa Roofing & Cladding Ltd:

Website: https://certa-rc.com

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/certa-roofing-and-claddingltd

Want to see how we’ve tackled similar projects? Check out our case studies.”

“Interested in learning more? Contact us for a free consultation or price estimate.”

Message me direct on LinkedIn.

Why Choose Us?

Your commercial property portfolio represents a significant investment—ensure it’s documented to the highest professional standard. As an award-winning photography specialist, I combine technical expertise, industry knowledge, and creative vision to deliver proper photographs that showcase your properties’ full potential.

Award Winning Expertise

Master Photographers Association Commercial Photographer of the Year.

National Coverage

Serving all major UK commercial hubs, from London to Edinburgh.

Sector-Specific Experience:

Industrial, retail, mixed-use, and more.

“Book Your Site Photography”
Ready to document your construction project? Contact us to discuss your requirements and receive a detailed quote within 24 hours.

From Infrastructure Projects to Engineering Works

Manufacturing, Processing and Production Facilities

Development and Property Documentation

Completed Building & Design Features