Almost everyone who works on a construction site has probably taken some kind of photo there at some point.
These days, everyone carries a smartphone, so they can take photos anytime, anywhere.
However, when it comes to “official documentary photographs of a construction site,” that’s a different story. Without the proper care and attention, it’s impossible to take truly useful construction photos.
Even though I’m talking as if I know it all, I’ve had my fair share of failures when it comes to construction photography.
There are probably very few people in the world who have never made a single mistake when taking construction site photos.
It’s that difficult to capture a ”flawless, perfect shot.”
To begin with, what exactly is so difficult? What kind of construction photos are considered “failures”?
Some of the younger staff may not fully grasp the significance of this. What prompted me to write about construction photographs again this time was an incident that occurred at a certain job site.
A Scattered Collection of "Useless" Construction Photos
About two weeks ago, I started working at a new construction site. While overseeing construction management, I’m also supervising the pouring of ready-mix concrete, and at the same time,
I was tasked with organizing and reviewing past construction photos submitted by the subcontractor.
However, as soon as I started looking at the materials, I was stunned.
The construction photos and the accompanying information are far too crude.
A photo that looks just like a landscape shot, making it impossible to tell what’s actually in it.
Items where a tape measure is applied but the measurement cannot be read.
There were also cases where the descriptions were incorrect or the information was incomplete...
Since consultants are present during most of the construction photography sessions, one might be able to use the excuse, “The consultant approved it.”
However, most of the materials did not clearly state the names or affiliations of the individuals in question.
If we don't clearly designate a reviewer for each document, this will lead to major problems down the road.
The formatting of the documents is inconsistent, and there is no sense of uniformity.
Above all, I had no choice but to point out the negligence on the part of our company (the general contractor), which had received this but left it unattended for a long time, and I found myself scratching my head, wondering, “What should we do…?”
Since it was an organization that didn’t even have a “standard template” to serve as a benchmark for the required level, we first added revised materials that addressed any questions or errors, and
For now, I started by raising my level to the point where I could at least pass.
Since we cannot retake photos of past construction projects, we have no choice but to delete any inappropriate photos and are focusing our efforts on revising and adding to the accompanying descriptions.
Tips for Taking "Powerful Construction Photos"
As I worked on the edits, it struck me once again: the outcome is actually decided right at the moment the shot is taken.
What should we have done to capture “compelling construction photos” that wouldn’t require us to make excuses in the explanatory text later on?
Based on my experience, I would like to share some "Tips for Construction Photography."
[Tip 1] The Photographer's Knowledge Determines the "Quality"
The fundamental premise of taking construction photos is that the subject must be “properly constructed.”
While it is the construction manager’s responsibility to verify that work is proceeding correctly, the person taking construction photos must possess knowledge equal to or greater than that of the construction manager.
For example, when taking photos of rebar placement, if you don’t have the contents of the special specifications or standard specifications memorized,
I can't even tell if I'm doing it right on the job.
These days, mechanical fittings, fasteners, pressure welding, and welding are all classified into detailed categories, and even prior skill assessments are required.
How do the type of steel used and the concrete strength at different locations affect the joint and embedment length?
If you don't understand that, you won't even be able to choose a location to shoot.
Look for a location where you can confidently say, “I can shoot from anywhere here,” and, if necessary, give instructions to the craftsmen the day before to make any necessary adjustments.
When it comes to construction photography, the success of the shot depends on the preparation before you press the shutter button.
[Tip 2] Eliminate Everything Unnecessary
In a nutshell, it all comes down to “getting as close as possible to the subject you want to photograph and excluding everything else from the frame.”
It's important to thoroughly eliminate any openings that could invite criticism.
In particular, you must pay the utmost attention to the background of the subject.
Are there any materials scattered on the floor around the area? Is the area tidy and organized? Are there any unrelated workers in the shot?
If necessary, you should be considerate enough to put up a sign to hide it.
"They're just construction photos," say many people who don't understand their importance.
It’s true that I may not receive as many detailed comments as I used to, but there’s one memory I’ll never forget.
When I was in my late 20s, I once made a mistake with the date on a sign while taking photos of a public works project.
Back then, it was still the era of film (negatives). Surprisingly, there were actually professionals who specialized in retouching negatives at that time.
Peering through a magnifying glass, he carefully scraped away a tiny bit of the surface of the negative to rewrite the text. The result was indistinguishable from the surrounding text, and I was amazed by this true craftsmanship.
Now that digital technology has made our lives more convenient, there are some things we must not forget.
Photographs taken at a construction site are not merely a routine administrative task. They are imbued with the dedication and depth of character of those in charge of the site.
