Embracing summer shoots
How longer days and warmer weather positively impact architectural film production
Production tips from Nikolas Strugar
There’s a well-established assumption that winter is the best time for photography and video shoots because winter light is softer. While it’s true that the light can be more pleasant throughout much of the day in winter, it’s not the only factor to consider when planning a shoot.
In fact, there are numerous reasons why summer shoots can work just as effectively—and sometimes even better—for certain projects.
Optimising shoot schedules
One of the key factors in making summer shoots successful is adjusting the shooting schedule. We often start earlier in the morning and finish later in the evening during the summer months, allowing us to take a break during the hottest part of the day or focus on shooting interiors that are less affected by natural lighting.
Because the dynamics of video cameras differ from still cameras, this is the approach we take to scheduling even in the winter months. By optimising our schedule, we ensure we’re capturing external scenes at the best possible times, avoiding harsh midday light.
Additionally, summer brings extended morning and evening twilight compared to winter, allowing us to document more scenes during golden hour when the light is most flattering.
Timing of outdoor scenes is crucial in any season, but particularly in summer
Summer shoots are an opportunity to reinforce themes of thermal comfort, protection and refuge
Building orientation
Building orientation is a significant consideration when planning summer shoots. Depending on a building’s key elevations, this can work better in summer. One challenge we often encounter is with a main south-facing elevation. In winter, the sun’s arc is lower in the sky, rising in the northeast and setting in the northwest. This means the southern elevation rarely receives direct sunlight, leaving it shadowed and backlit. Consequently, capturing this elevation can be challenging, as it often lacks the form and contrast that incident lighting provides.
Conversely, in summer, the sun’s arc is higher, rising in the southeast and setting in the southwest. This change can provide direct sunlight on southern elevations during dawn and dusk, depending on the surrounding landscape and buildings.
Sun angles
Furthermore, the higher sun angle during summer can be particularly beneficial for buildings with skylights or internal light wells. These features can catch more light, illuminating interior spaces and adding depth to the scenes. In the subtropics, where buildings are designed to mitigate hot summer conditions, summer shoots are an opportunity to showcase screens and shading devices in action, reinforcing themes of thermal comfort, protection and refuge.
Additionally, in densely populated areas or locations with tall buildings, the summer sun’s higher angle can result in more direct light reaching the building, which might otherwise be blocked during the winter months.
Long summer days
This extended daylight not only allows for more shooting time but also provides the flexibility to plan shoots that might be difficult in the winter due to limited light.
And summer vibes
One of the most exciting aspects of summer shoots is the vibrancy of the natural environment. Landscaping is at its peak, with trees and plants full and lush.
Moreover, summer brings people outdoors, adding life and activity to the scenes we capture. Showcasing outdoor living spaces in their intended use—whether it’s families enjoying a backyard barbecue or friends relaxing by the pool—highlights the functionality of the building and its relationship with its surroundings.
A summer shoot allows direct light to fall on a south facing building in the early morning and late afternoon
Freihaus by Gockel Architecture and Candour Builders:
In summer we were able to sneak in this southern elevation shot in the early morning. In winter the sun would have rose behind the neighbouring house, leaving the building front and landscaping in shadow.
The potential of a summer shoot
Are you currently working on a building that could benefit from a summer shoot? Or can you recall a past photo or video production where the summer light would have made a difference? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences as we explore the unique possibilities summer brings to architectural filmmaking and storytelling.