How can I achieve this polished architectural look in Lightroom or Photoshop?
Asked 1/27/2015
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2 answers
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I’ve seen some architectural photos with very balanced tones: the sky is soft, building details are visible inside and out, and the artificial lights glow without overpowering the scene. I’m trying to understand whether this look mainly comes from Lightroom/Photoshop editing, HDR blending, or shooting at a specific time of day. What techniques are typically used to create this kind of result?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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I don't think there is anything particularly special going on. It doesn't take multiple captures and HDR to explain the pictures you show. You do need decent sensor dynamic range, but not excessively so for a good modern camera.
These picture seem to be taken a bit before dusk. That and the overcast sky accounts for the flat lighting. Since the artificial lights are visible but not overwhelming, the photographer waited until just the right time before dusk when the ambient sunlight was at the right ratio to the artificial lights to show them but not feature them.
The "trick" here was to wait for the right time just before dusk, or possible just after dawn. The window may be only 5 minutes near the equator, more at polar latitudes. The rest doesn't require any exotic explanations and could easily be done with a decent modern camera in a single shot.
Originally by user7603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user7603
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This look is often more about capture timing and exposure than a special filter. The examples described were likely shot shortly before dusk or just after dawn, when ambient light is soft and artificial lights are visible but not blown out. Overcast conditions can also help by reducing contrast.
A strong dynamic range is important. You may be able to get close from a single RAW file by lowering highlights, opening shadows, and carefully stretching tonal range in Lightroom or Photoshop. If the scene contrast is too high, HDR or exposure blending from multiple bracketed shots can help preserve detail in bright and dark areas.
So the main recipe is:
- shoot during blue hour / late golden hour timing
- expose carefully for balanced interior/exterior light
- use RAW processing to recover highlights and shadows
- use HDR/exposure blending only if one frame can’t hold the full range
In short: no single magic LR/PS filter—good light, timing, and controlled tonal editing are the key.
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