New Building construction

[bzam]

I am interested in photographing a new courthouse that is being built from the ground up. Basically, I am taking pictures, to create a timeline, from the groundbreaking to the completion and occupation of the building

For this kind of project, what type of photos of the construction of the new building should I be focusing on. At what points in the construction should I be taking pictures?

This project will be taking place over a 2 to 3 year period. Other than basic photographic skills, which I have, what specialized type of knowledge do I need.

I have a Nikon DX 40 camera with the standard kit lens.

I would appreciate any type of advice you could give me.

[Patti Edens]

I'm no pro, so not much help. But, as a side project, it would be really cool if you took a photo around the same time of day once a week or so from exactly the same spot looking exactly the same way and then put it all together at the end in a time lapse movie. You would have to pick your spot carefully and hope it will still be available 3 years from now. I wish I had done this when my house was being built, but... I didn't.

Some good basic info here: http://content.photojojo.com/tutoria...e-photography/

[auddii]

Probably not feasible for what you are doing, but the Houston Museum of Natural Science has a time lapse of their new construction. It may at least give you some ideas for what parts of the construction are interesting.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

[ka5txl]

Bob,

In 2009 we tore out house down and built another one it it's place. I took photo's of the entire event from prioir to demolition thru getting the co and moving in. I have included a link to my smugmug page Stately Melby Manor - Larry Melby Photography | SmugMug Since you won't have the complete access to the site (unless you work something out with one of the parties, builder, archietect, etc) find one spot or two and photograph the progress everyday.

[groovyone]

Thanks for sharing, Larry. I tried to do something similar with our house when it was built, but didn't get there as often.

[dbaldock]

I imagine that out there in California, where you have to build with earthquakes in mind, that there's a lot that goes into making the foundation as safe as possible. If you have access to the construction site during the digging and building of the reinforced foundation, I suspect those would be pretty interesting photos.

Take Care,
David Baldock

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Patti Edens

I'm no pro, so not much help. But, as a side project, it would be really cool if you took a photo around the same time of day once a week or so from exactly the same spot looking exactly the same way and then put it all together at the end in a time lapse movie. You would have to pick your spot carefully and hope it will still be available 3 years from now. I wish I had done this when my house was being built, but... I didn't.

Some good basic info here: The Ultimate Guide to Time-Lapse Photography | Photojojo

Patti read my mind. My thoughts exactly. Set up a tripod. Mark the location of the legs, orientation of the head, etc. I might try to shoot more often also. Make it a nice wide shot so you don't cut off anything later.
Another thought, same vein: Turn the camera vertical. Make 5 overlapping, widish (tall) shots. Stich those together & use them in the time-lapse sequence.

[Nikonfan]

This made me think of the infamous youtube video

"Picture a Day

"Picture a Day

" which now has over 20 million hits. Also, the hillarious Simpsons take on the video which you can see here:

Simpsons.

Simpsons.