Introduction
Construction photography serves multiple purposes, including documenting project progress, facilitating effective project management, enhancing marketing and PR efforts, enabling clear client communication, assessing design elements, aiding in legal and insurance matters, and preserving the historical significance of construction projects.
By capturing images throughout the construction process, professionals can create a comprehensive visual record, track important milestones, attract potential clients through impactful marketing materials, effectively communicate project details to stakeholders, ensure adherence to design standards, provide valuable evidence in case of disputes, and establish a lasting legacy. Construction photography plays a crucial role in effectively showcasing and promoting the achievements of the construction industry while serving a range of practical and strategic functions.
With over 15 years of experience in construction photography, we are excited to share our knowledge and insights on this topic. In this blog, we will discuss the various aspects of construction photography, including its uses, safety considerations, accreditation, shot variety, different types of construction photography, timing, and the impact of timelapse footage.
Safety First
When embarking on construction site photography, safety should always be the top priority. Construction sites can present various hazards, such as heavy machinery, unstable structures, and uneven terrain. To ensure your safety, it is essential to wear appropriate safety clothing, such as a hard hat and a high visibility jacket. Furthermore, it is crucial to remain aware of your surroundings, follow safety protocols, and obtain necessary permissions before entering restricted areas. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the site-specific safety guidelines and, if needed, seek guidance from site authorities or safety officers. By prioritising safety precautions, you can minimise risks and capture stunning photographs in a secure environment.
Accreditation
One crucial aspect of construction photography is obtaining the necessary accreditation and licenses. The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is an example of industry accreditation specifically tailored to the construction sector. This accreditation validates the skills and qualifications of individuals working in the industry and ensures a high standard of professionalism. To learn more about applying for CSCS cards and the benefits of industry accreditation, visit the official CSCS website.
In addition to industry accreditation, it is important to obtain the appropriate licenses for the use of drone photography and videography. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sanctions the use of drones for both domestic and commercial purposes and sets out guidelines and regulations to ensure safety and compliance. Acquiring the necessary license demonstrates your commitment to following legal requirements and prioritising safety measures when using drones for construction photography.
For more detailed information on the regulations and laws surrounding drone flying and filming in the UK, we invite you to refer to our previous blog titled “Drone Flying and Filming Laws in the UK“. This resource provides comprehensive insights into the legal aspects of drone usage, including the specific permits and certifications required to operate drones within the construction industry.
Variety is Key
To capture the full essence of a construction project, it is important to take a variety of different shots at different angles for example. Consider using different techniques such as aerial photography with drones, Timelapse photography, and ‘On the Ground’ shots. Each technique offers a unique perspective and adds value to showcasing the progress and intricacies of the project.
Aerial photography provides an overarching view, highlighting the scale and positioning of the construction site, while ground-level shots offer a closer look at the details and craftsmanship.
- Aerial Photography (Drone): Expansive view, highlights scale, positioning, and integration of project.
- Ground-Level Shots: Close-up details, craftsmanship, and human-centric perspective of construction.
- Timelapse Photography: Captures progress, milestones, and transformation of construction project over time.
Different Types of Construction Photography
Construction photography encompasses both internal and external shots. Internal photography allows you to capture the craftsmanship, design details, and the evolving nature of the building structures. By showcasing the project’s internal progress, you can highlight the precision and dedication invested. On the other hand, external photography highlights the overall aesthetics, environmental integration, and the impact these constructions have on their surroundings. By capturing external shots, you can effectively communicate the project’s scale, architectural integration, and the project’s contribution to the surroundings.
- Interior Photography: Showcases craftsmanship, design details, and evolving nature of building structures.
- External Photography: Highlights aesthetics, environmental integration, and impact on surroundings of construction.
The Time is Right
Timing plays a crucial role in capturing captivating construction photographs. The “golden hour,” occurring during sunrise or sunset, offers warm and soft lighting that adds depth and ambiance to your images. Use this time to capture aesthetically pleasing shots that bring out the best in the structure and surroundings. However, it is important to consider the specific lighting requirements of the project and adjust your shooting schedule accordingly. Additionally, be mindful of weather conditions, especially in the UK, as they can significantly impact the mood and overall quality of your photographs.
Capture the Journey
Timelapse photography has become increasingly popular in construction projects. By capturing continuous images over an extended period, timelapse photography allows viewers to witness the progress from start to finish; great as a way of telling the story of the project from conception to completion. It offers a condensed visual narrative, showcasing the construction process in a captivating manner. These shots are often a powerful marketing tool and creates a lot of engagement on a particular project.
Refer to our previous blog for detailed insights on timelapse photography techniques and how they can help convey the story of a construction project.
Alongside timelapse photography, on the ground photography offers the opportunity to capture specific milestones in a creative and engaging way. Adding the on the ground photography to the final project video enables the videographer to create an even more impactful final production.
Conclusion
Construction photography is a powerful tool for documenting, marketing, and visually narrating the journey of a construction project. By prioritising safety, diversifying shot angles and techniques, obtaining necessary accreditation, and considering timing, timelapse and drone techniques, you can create compelling images and video that captures the essence and impact of construction projects. Embrace the art of construction photography, and let your visuals tell the story of these noteworthy endeavours. In doing so, you can contribute to the documentation, marketing, promotion, and appreciation of the construction industry as a whole.
Inside Out Group for your Construction Photography
We provide specialised time-lapse filming and photography services for construction projects across the UK. Our in-house team is fully CSCS accredited, and all staff hold Personal Track Safety certifications for the rail industry. Moreover, as a company, we hold esteemed accreditations including Construction Line Gold, Risqs Audited and Verified, Builders Profile Premium, and ISO9001. These accreditations guarantee that we consistently deliver work of the highest quality and maintain professional standards.
Our commitment to excellence ensures that we provide our clients with outstanding service every time. You don’t have to take our word for it either as you can check out our testimonials including this one from Joanne Wilson, head of marketing & social value lead at Danaher & Walsh Group Ltd:
Inside Out Group are an excellent choice if you want photography of your construction site. Their skilled photographers hold CSCS cards, so it meant that I felt comfortable with them accessing site. Their customer service and flexibility are also excellent – on noticing on opportunity for a drone shot – they took some great images for us, even though we hadn’t specified that in our brief. I would highly recommend Inside Out Group for your construction photography – by using specialists you get the best results.
Joanne Wilson FCIM
Head of Marketing & Social Value Lead
Danaher & Walsh Group Ltd
Donna Hoffman, Managing Director of Inside Out Group comments, “We often receive enquiries from construction companies wanting to use our time lapse services, and we will, in almost all cases, ask if they would also be interested in our Ground Filming and Drone Filing Services for documentation of key build stages as we know these additional film services will enhance the final film production.”
For further information regarding our photography services for your upcoming construction project, you can find more details here.
