Sebastien Lebrun is an expert in architectural photography and has a fervor for capturing the scene perfectly in-camera.
I had the opportunity to speak with him regarding his work and to evaluate his piece ‘Italian frame’. We explored the methods he employed to obtain the photograph and the reasons behind its success.
1. Extreme perspective
“In the city of Siena, Italy, the Torre del Mangia is an unmissable sight. However, standing at nearly 90m tall, photographing the tower poses a challenge without diminishing the medieval structures. I sought a distinctive view rather than the customary shot from the adjacent Piazza del Campo.”
Upon exploring around the edifice, Sebastien stumbled upon a quaint courtyard and decided to utilize this angle. “The task was to harmonize the variance in brightness between the sky and the shadowed structures,” he mentions. “Ideally, I would have applied the exposure bracketing technique, but the position I was shooting from did not permit it. Thus, I concentrated on properly exposing the buildings while avoiding overexposure of the sky.”
2. Frame in a frame
“I arranged the image with the intention of creating a sense of complete immersion and guiding the viewer’s eyes upward,” states Sebastien. By selecting this composition, he produced several layers of frames, directing the observer’s focus from the architectural elements to the pinnacle of the tower.
“Typically, a frame within a frame directs the view, but here, I also aimed to accentuate the structure. It allows one to notice the stonework and the architecture of the stained-glass windows along with the arches,” he adds.
3. Continuous symmetry
“Using an ultra-wide-angle lens (14mm) was crucial in this case to encompass every aspect of the tower in my composition. I also needed to achieve the proper perspective to showcase the symmetry of the architecture,” Sebastien explains. To accomplish this, he had to recline on his back in the courtyard to fit everything within the frame.
“I needed to exercise patience to capture a shot without excessive distortion while adhering to the standards of architectural photography,” he mentions. “I made some minor cropping adjustments during post-processing, but I prefer to take my time in the field to secure the most optimal image in-camera.”
4. Deviating elements
The careful symmetry and constructed nature of the frame could lead some to believe that the image is AI-generated. Nevertheless, several visible cues confirm the scene’s authenticity. To the left, the sun slightly disrupts the symmetric brightness pattern, introducing an intriguing element.
“I ventured out early in the morning as I wanted the low sun to capture the outline of the battlements, effectively alleviating the dullness of the Gothic architecture. Additionally, the blue sky counters the darkness of the foreground and provides a sense of escape,” Sebastien explains.
Tech details
Camera: Nikon Z6
Lens: Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter speed: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Sebastien Lebrun is a professional photographer located in Le Havre, France. He specializes in travel photography and harbors a distinct enthusiasm for capturing urban landscapes and their architecture. His proficiency also spans landscape and astrophotography, where he often artfully merges scenic vistas with a captivating Milky Way backdrop.