Peter Kubilus (@PeterKubilus) is an interiors and architectural photographer based in metro New York. Following studies in both photography and architectural engineering, Peter has created a practice photographing offices, hotels, residences, and more.
Our conversation covers his origins in photography, how he came to specialise in architecture, and the workflow of setting up lights and creating his images.
Check out Peter’s photography at his website, kubilusphoto.com
 
Show Notes & Links

Peter describes his work as modern, clean, refined, not messy
Previous photographers on The Busy Creator Podcast include Bill Wadman, Christine Blackburne, Taylor Mathis
Peter only photograph’s “The built environment”
Seton Hall Prep, high school in New Jersey
Peter’s first introduction to architecture and building came from visits to his father’s build sites as a youth
Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Interior Design magazine
Peter’s college classes “activated the creative side his head”
Prescott and Peter grew up in neighboring towns, both attended Drexel University, but didn’t meet until later.
“Circulation” is the term for a person moving through architecture, being at scale, etc.
Colour Temperature (mixtures of LEDs, Fluorescents, Sunlight)
Shooting for a hotel may mean conveying a lifestyle. Shooting for the architect may center around materials.
Peter’s projects range in scale from a kitchen to a 30-story building
Each image can take a few hours to set up, yielding only a few images per day
High Dynamic Range (HDR) composites in Photoshop


“You can’t turn garbage into a masterpiece.” —Peter Kubilus ← Click to Tweet


Center for Architecture, American Institute of Architects (AIA) NY Ch, The Architectural League of New York
200 Lexington, D&D Building


“Networking was what really initially launched my career.” —Peter Kubilus ← Click to Tweet


Felix Sockwell, Illustrator, and past guest on The Busy Creator


“Opportunity + Preparation = Success” ← Click to Tweet


“Just because I’m not out in the field shooting doesn’t mean I’m not working.” —Peter Kubilus ← Click to Tweet


 Peter Kubilus on Twitter
 Peter Kubilus on Facebook
 Peter Kubilus on Instagram
 Peter Kubilus on LinkedIn

Tools

Canon 5D Mk-III
Photoshop
Lightroom
Dropbox
Constant Contact
Paperless Post
MailChimp

Techniques

Take a walk-through of a built space before you photograph
Ask the architect questions — he or she knows the plan inside and out
Find the right angle, then strip out extraneous material that might distract from the shot
Take point-and-shoot photos during a walkthrough
Don’t allow objects in a shot to overlap. This may require micro-rotations.
Stage the room first, then light it
Take multiple shots at different exposures so you can built it later in Photoshop as needed
Get the image right “in the camera” so you only have to spend 20–30 minutes in Photoshop
Use Lightroom to pare down your images. Then bring to Photoshop for retouching.
Deliver files via Dropbox rather than FTP.
Attend networking events, even as frequently as 4 days a week.
Use email newsletters rather than mini-portfolios — at least you can track who opens emails
Have a website with portfolio samples
Spend 30 minutes a week on LinkedIn
Wake up early and do those digital time-wasters before you start work
Use an assistant for shoots

Habits

Maintain a presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook fan pages
Backup your files immediately after connecting your camera

Try Audible.com Free for 30-Days
Visit BusyCreatorBook.com for your free trial
Get Digital Photography Guide by Larry Hall as a free audiobook