Searching for some Christmastime in the city (tell me that doesn’t automatically make you hum the popular Christmas carol)? Look no further than Back Bay in Boston. Strolling up and down Commonwealth Avenue is an experience in any season. The brownstones are accented by gorgeous trees and window boxes in the spring, pumpkins in the fall, and beautiful wreaths and garland at Christmastime.
The architecture of each brownstone is unique and the craftsmanship and detail that went into making each of these exquisite homes never ceases to amaze me. I simply can’t get enough! Come along and see just a few of these brownstone beauties from last Christmas.
Although I certainly enjoy having company, when I’m walking through an interesting neighborhood like this I don’t mind being alone. I can stop and gawk as often as I please, and of course, take a photo every twenty feet or so.
Taking photos of architecture may not seem that challenging (buildings don’t move, after all) but I enjoy trying to compose a nice shot. I try to find something in the foreground to help frame the architecture to give it a little interest, like the fence and gate in the photo above.
I rarely have people in my pictures, but I couldn’t resist snapping a shot of this UPS man ringing the doorbell. I might also enjoy street photography but the thought of taking pictures of random strangers makes me nervous. Random houses, no problem.
Photos of buildings are almost always slanted or distorted in some way although some very high-end lenses specifically made for shooting architecture can aid in eliminating that. I use Photoshop or an app to straighten my photos as much as possible…not always perfect but pretty darn close!
I use symmetry quite a bit in my photos. It’s a technique that’s very pleasing to the eye, and given my Type A personality it’s not surprising that I like it. Nice and orderly and under control.
Sometimes there is something in the way of a shot, like this tree. I couldn’t stand in between the tree and the house because then I was too close to get the shot. Nothing to do except take advantage of the tree. Trees have become my favorite props in composing nice photos.
Of course, lighting is a huge factor. If the lighting is bad there’s no hope for the photo, at least for my intermediate capabilities. I try to make life easy on myself and get out and shoot very early or wait until later in the day. The old “Golden Hour” rule.
It may not be considered “good” photography, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? I love when I see reflections of the sky, clouds, and trees in windows, or when the glass reflects back the light. I think it adds a nice glow to the photo.
Sometimes shadows cast by brighter sunlight can add an interesting effect, so I will use that to my benefit at times. And take advantage of those mid-day moments when clouds pass overhead! Cloud cover is my friend if it isn’t too dark out.
There is no rhyme or reason to how I choose my subjects. It’s really just whatever appeals to me at the moment based on the details of the home. I sometimes worry that a home will feel bad if I don’t take its photo, but we can’t all be winners all the time, can we?
What are some of your photographic tips? There is so much to learn in the world of photography and I think we all have something to share. Just for fun: In the feature photo of this post, can you spot the difference between the set of two twin doors?
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Did you know that I have an Amazon shop featuring my favorite picks for your door decor? Take a peek at my selected Christmas Wreaths, and don’t forget a wreath hanger or wreath storage container. I also created a list of some of my favorite Etsy gifts for Boston lovers. Enjoy!
[x_author title=”About the Author”]
My name is Deb Cohen, and I am a lifelong resident of Connecticut, a lover of all things historic and New England, and a realtor who helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals and dreams. When I’m not working, I enjoy life with my husband, our two adult children, and our two rescue pups. Renovating and decorating our historic home, dating to 1800, is another favorite pastime.
Handsome doors, and it’s always nice to see how and where the 1% live. 🙂 The only thing I see in the first photo is it appears that the figure in the planter is different from one side to the other. I have no photography tips because I have so much to learn. Enjoyed the post. 🙂
Thanks, Judy! You are right about the 1%! Although a surprising number of the buildings have been subdivided into condos, apartments, etc. as they were too expensive to maintain on their own. Still pricey no doubt though! The difference I saw was in the door handle placement 🙂
Lovely. Thanks
I don’t have photo tips. I read the photo tips of others. Mostly, I hope I manage to get the camera to see things as I do 😉
Haha – so true!!
I agree with Dan – nice collection! Some beautiful doors with very pretty wreaths!
Thank you Kiki! You almost can’t go wrong in Boston!
What a nice collection. I love the arched wooden doors and the simple decorations.
The doorways are just fantastic, aren’t they? And it doesn’t take more than a simple wreath to gussy up one of these Boston beauties!