Burn Gym – Architectural Photography

Architectural Photography Assignment

Architectural photography has always been close to me, something I naturally gravitate toward. This time, I had the opportunity to photograph one of Noor Dasmesh Singh’s projects. On the 15th of March 2015, Noor, Amarbir, and I drove to the gym in the afternoon, carrying both anticipation and a bit of uncertainty about the light we would encounter.

The day began with an overcast sky, which I welcomed, though with some hesitation. By noon, the light had shifted completely. The sun was stronger than expected, and the contrast across the space became difficult to manage. It was clear early on that a single exposure would not do justice to the environment. The space demanded more attention, more patience, and a more thoughtful approach.

 

Using HDR

In such conditions, understanding HDR becomes invaluable. Many of the final images were only possible because each composition was captured in seven exposures. Three underexposed, three overexposed, and one balanced frame in the middle. The aperture remained constant, the ISO was set to 100, and only the shutter speed was adjusted to control exposure. Stability was critical, and the tripod, despite its four-section legs, proved to be an advantage. The added height allowed me to reach perspectives that would have been impossible otherwise.

 

Keeping Verticals Upright

One of the most important lessons in architectural photography is respecting geometry. The relationship between vertical and horizontal planes defines how a space is perceived. Even a slight shift in camera height or angle can distort that balance. With this in mind, I made sure the camera remained aligned so that verticals stayed true.

The gym presented its own challenges. From some angles, the equipment felt cluttered. From others, it appeared spaced too far apart. Finding the right viewpoints required constant adjustment and observation. I avoided tilting the camera upward and angled it downward only occasionally to capture the floor layout. Midway through the shoot, Noor and I carefully reviewed the remaining shots, ensuring nothing was missed and saving us from having to return.

 

Post Production

The work did not end with the shoot. Post production took nearly three additional days, turning this into a four-day process. The 14–24mm Nikkor lens performed beautifully, delivering sharp and richly detailed images. The tall glass façade allowed an abundance of light into the space, but it also washed out certain colours during the afternoon. These had to be carefully balanced during processing.

I do not believe in over-processing images, but I do believe in consistency. The goal is not to change reality, but to present it as it was meant to be seen. As evening approached, the light softened, and the sky turned a deep blue through the glass panels. Twilight brought a calm beauty to the space, enhancing the artificial lighting and bringing everything together.

We wrapped up around 9:30 at night, tired but satisfied. The day ended on a simple, comforting note with Domino’s pizza, shared after hours of focused work. It felt like a fitting close to a day that demanded both technical precision and creative patience.