How to prevent "fall away".

Mike Kennedy · May 5, 2009

My neighbor wants me to photograph her home (exterior) with B&W film.Not a problem.Is there a lens (other then PC) or technique that will prevent the fall away effect so prevalent when shooting architecture?

Thanks.

Steve Smith · May 5, 2009

A tilt /shift lens on a 'normal' camera or a rising front on a field/view camera is the usual way but it can be done without them.

If the film plane is vertical then verticals in the image will not converge. The problem with this is that the centre of the image will be at the same height as the camera lens. Getting to a higher vantage point with a ladder, scaffolding, top of a van, etc. may help.

Ideally, you want the lens to be at the same height as the mid point of the building.

Steve.

fschifano · May 5, 2009

If you print in a conventional darkroom, you can tilt the easel to minimize the problem. Some enlargers allow you to tilt the lens stage as well. It works the same way a view camera with movements works. You'll have to stop the lens down pretty far to get the depth of focus you need to pull it off, and you can't do too much. In Photoshop, there are other ways to fix the problem.

removed account4 · May 5, 2009

mike,
what lenses do you have ?
i often shoot architecture with a 28mm lens not a pc lens.
as steve says, a tall ladder
level the camera - i use a post level on my flash mount
or a regular spirit level... any level will work.

i have also fixed converging lines in the darkroom with a durst enlarger
tilting the lens stage and easle and stopping way down.

have fun!

john

L Gebhardt · May 5, 2009

You can also use a wider angle lens and crop, keeping the camera level of course.

naeroscatu · May 5, 2009

I got good architecture shots with a 24mm, just raise the camera a bit and level.

Mike Kennedy · May 5, 2009

All great ideas!!
I have a 24mm Nikkor & a shoe mount spirit level.Give it a shot tomorrow morning (when the light is to my liking).

Larry.Manuel · May 5, 2009

Exposing with camera [film plane plumb] in portrait orientation is one way I make a short-cut, planning to crop off some of the frame's bottom. Think "24mm format" - the lightweight square format.

nicefor88 · May 5, 2009

Higher vantage point that's right. The neighbour's across the road?

nicefor88 · May 5, 2009

...and then you photograph this neighbour's house from the first neighbours' s and your earn twice as much
and then you do the same trick with everyone else on the street... hehe

Mike Kennedy · May 5, 2009

Not a bad idea nicefor88.Actually I could use the open front porch of my neighbor to photograph the target house.

How to prevent "fall away".

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