A complete guide to industrial photography (with expert tips)

Industrial photography is a special genre of commercial photography that captures the spirit, detail and power of the industrial world and encompasses a variety of styles.

It showcases and documents industrial settings, infrastructure, machinery, and procedures.

If a professional photographer can build a portfolio of well-paying clients, it can be a good source of income.

Here’s our complete guide to industrial photography to help you get started.

 

What is industrial photography?

There are many types of photos that fall under the genre of industrial photography.

Of course, you can take photos of industrial settings in general to emphasise the scale and complexity of industrial sites, including:

• factories
• machinery
• power plants
• construction sites

You might imagine scenes of giant smoking chimneys or lots of heavy machinery. However, industrial photography can go well beyond that.

It also encompasses the finer details, such as intricate scenes of machinery, showcasing the technology used (particularly new and innovative tech) and the people and corporate world behind it all.

In addition to the wider views, a photographer can often go in close and capture the smaller details of an employee’s work and the raw power of machinery, such as the spray of sparks from a welder or the grinding of metal against metal.

Industrial photography documents, promotes, and even celebrates the human ingenuity, advancement, development and power behind the industrial world.

 

Types of industrial photography

There are many different types of industrial photography, so here are some of the main ones to help you decide which to pursue or add to your existing professional photography services.

 

Factory photography

At the heart of industry is the factory. Factory photography involves not only creating images that showcase the exterior, but also what goes on inside.

The main focus is capturing all the elements involved in manufacturing, from the machinery used to make products to production lines and their operators.

It can showcase the technology used in automation and, particularly these days, how robotics are being used in high-tech, high-volume, and fast-moving production lines.

To succeed in this area, a photographer must be skilled at capturing scale, complexity, and a sense of motion.

 

Constructional photography

The key is to document the various stages and elements of construction projects from start to finish.

Depending on the scale of the construction, it could involve wider images of the empty site at the start and the build at various stages until completion, which shows the change in the area and surrounding landscape.

It would also involve capturing images of the machinery, workers and their clothing (particularly the use of safety clothing such as steel-toe-capped boots and hard hats), and the materials used in the object’s construction.

It would also involve getting close-up images that illustrate the essential parts of a building’s construction, particularly the important safety and structural features.

 

Safety photography

In line with the above, this aspect of industrial photography focuses on documenting and illustrating the health and safety procedures applied within factories and construction sites.

This can include images of protective clothing, warning signs, health and safety inspections being carried out, and smaller details such as an area being sealed off to unauthorised personnel.

Related: What is shutter count, and why does it matter?

 

Training photography

This can be a good avenue to pursue, as pretty much every company needs good-quality images for training materials, whether for internal employee training or training and user manuals for a company’s products or services.

The focus here would be on creating images that clearly illustrate each step-by-step procedure, safety features, and how to operate equipment.

 

Event photography

Corporate events in the industrial world can range from conferences to trade shows, product launches, or the opening of a new building.

Companies invariably want these events to be photographed for several reasons—to send out to the media for marketing and promotion, newsletters and much more.

 

Architectural photography

While also a genre of its own, architectural photography falls under the umbrella of industrial photography.

Images here would focus on capturing the design, shape and form of industrial buildings, structures and, in the construction industry, their finished building or objects.

For industry, a photographer could be hired to capture images that showcase the unique or important aspects of a factory or building.

 

Environmental photography

Environmental photography is an important part of industrial photography today. It focuses on the interaction and impact of modern industry on the natural world and surrounding environment.

Environmental photography may focus on images showcasing the negative side, such as pollution or resource extraction.

On the flip side, it can also show the more positive side of modern industrial efforts, such as renewable energy projects and efforts to mitigate environmental harm.

The latter could be in demand from many companies and corporations that wish to enhance their image and reputation as green and eco-friendly businesses that help the environment or reduce the harmful impact their activities may otherwise be seen as having.

 

Documentary photography

As the name suggests, this area creates a visual record of a company or corporation’s activities and history over the years.

Photos will illustrate the daily processes and activities of workers and employees who have come and gone over the years, providing a visual record of who is who.

It may also be used to document changes or advancements over the years.

A documentary photographer will often work closely and regularly with a company to capture imagery for promotional materials and reports for CEOs or investors, as well as create a historical archive.

Part of this can also include portraits of employees to convey the human element and expertise behind it all.

 

Aerial photography

While many years ago, this sort of photography would have involved the high costs of hiring a helicopter or airplane, it is now much more accessible for many photographers.

Modern drones are now equipped with high-quality video and still photo capabilities and are much more affordable.

Aerial photography offers a unique perspective that can highlight the scale and spatial relationships of industrial complexes.

Many companies also employ drone photography for site surveys, which can be a lucrative business for a skilled drone photographer.

Related: Drone photography: shooting from the sky

 

Expert tips for capturing industrial photography

 

 

1. Understand the industry you plan to photograph

Ideally, if you come from an industrial background yourself, you would be best suited to covering that particular industry you worked in.

Otherwise, be sure to thoroughly research the industry you plan to photograph or document. Learn the processes, protocols, and safety procedures relevant to the setting.

If possible, spend some time with the employees to familiarise yourself with them and also make them feel at ease when the time comes to take photographs. All this will help you create more natural, authentic, and accurate images.

 

2. Have safety in mind

Industrial environments can be dangerous. Be sure to prioritise safety, both your own and the safety of others around you.

If required, wear the proper protective clothing, adhere to all safety rules and guidelines, and always obtain permits and permission where needed.

Don’t put yourself or others in danger to get the perfect shot.

 

3. Play with light and shadow

Lighting is crucial in industrial photography, shaping mood, texture, and visual interest.

Try to use natural light as much as possible or artificial light sources where not. Direct light can enhance detail and help focus on a particular object or feature.

Use shadows to add depth and drama to your images, highlighting shapes, patterns, and contrasts within industrial landscapes.

Use a softbox to diffuse light where you want to eliminate shadows or soften the details on a product or person.

Medium to long exposures can create dynamic compositions and give a sense of motion or action.

Related: Soft light vs hard light photography (differences & techniques)

 

4. Show texture and detail

Industrial environments are rich with textures, patterns, and details waiting to be captured.

Get close to machinery, surfaces, and materials to showcase their tactile qualities and intrinsic beauty.

Use macro photography techniques to reveal the detail of a task, the intricate textures of metal, concrete, and other industrial materials. This helps add intrigue to your photos.

 

5. Look for unique images

As with all photography, don’t settle for easy and standard viewpoints.

Look for vantage points, angles, and perspectives that offer fresh and compelling views.

Climb up high (if you can do it safely), explore different levels and elevations, and experiment with unconventional camera angles to capture the essence of industrial environments from different perspectives.

 

6. Experiment with different apertures

Large apertures will narrow the depth of field and help make a subject stand out.

If you want to isolate something from a distracting background, try moving back and zooming in with a longer focal length to narrow your depth of field even more.

Conversely, use a small aperture and small focal length to enhance your depth of field and show the wider environment.

 

Final thoughts

Every industrial photograph has a story to tell, whether about innovation, productivity, or the human element behind it all.

If you’ve been commissioned for the job, it’s important to listen carefully to the brief and what the client wants from you and try to convey that in your imagery.

If you’re embarking on your own industrial photography project or trying to build a portfolio of stock images, think carefully about how you can tell a compelling story with each image.

For stock photography, be sure to research what kind of images are not only needed, but in high demand.

Look for images of places, processes or features that are hard to find. Stock libraries are flooded with imagery, so the trick is to capture unique photos that no one else has done.

So grab your camera, invest in some safety gear, and venture into the heart of industry to explore, discover, and capture the industrial world with creativity and passion.

 

Specialist photography insurance through Ripe

Planning an industrial photography project? You may want to protect your camera and accessories with specialist photography insurance.

At Ripe, we arrange cover that can be tailored to fit your exact requirements, so you only ever pay for what you need. You can cover up to £60k of equipment for theft and accidental damage so that you can enjoy your shoots with peace of mind.

Learn how we can help here, or use the button below to get an online quote today.