Photographer Timothy Soar explains why he is holding a series of free-to-attend workshops at different locations around the country for members of the Regenerative Architecture Index to hone their photography skills.
We are no longer documenting a stable idea of architecture. If architecture is changing, then the language used to represent it must also change. Not stylistically, but fundamentally. What does it mean to photograph something that is designed to evolve? How do you convey systems rather than surfaces, relationships rather than objects, duration rather than a single moment?
I’m holding a series of workshops for members of the Regenerative Architecture Index to explore how a more appropriate visual language might be constructed, one that is capable of holding complexity without reducing it. That might mean reconsidering how we frame the subject, it might mean paying closer attention to use, or to the life of the building beyond completion. Because within regenerative practice, representation is no longer neutral. The images you produce will shape how this work is understood, disseminated, and ultimately valued. They will influence whether it is read as a set of aesthetic gestures, or as a deeper, systemic shift in how architecture operates. That makes the question of how we photograph this work not just appropriate, but urgent.
We’ll look closely at this together. Analysing images not simply for their composition, but for their intent. Who are they speaking to? What assumptions do they carry? What narratives do they reinforce, or resist? From there, the focus turns back to your own work. How do you want it to be read? What is essential within it, and how might that be made visible? How do you begin to build a visual vocabulary that aligns with those intentions, one that is specific, consistent, and grounded in the realities of the projects themselves? The aim of the sessions is to create a space where those questions can be tested with care and precision, where experience, insight, and critical discussion begin to shape a clearer way of seeing. If regenerative architecture asks us to rethink how we design, then it seems only reasonable that we also rethink how we look.
Why take part
“I attended the workshop at 8 Bishopsgate. It was a fantastic day that began with a talk by WilkinsonEyre and Tim, providing valuable context for photographing the building’s architecture. Throughout the day, it was great to receive professional tips from Tim, who encouraged us to think creatively about composition and explore the building through the lens. The format was engaging and inclusive for all skill levels and equipment, fostering a great discussion on what makes a successful photograph.”
– Alex Jackson, Piercy and Co
“A thoughtful and engaging workshop where Tim shared a remarkable depth of knowledge and encouraged us to look more carefully at the world through his lens.”
– Fergus Knox, Knox Bhavan
“Architects often have a strong interest in photography, yet some lack the confidence to capture architecture through a camera. I was invited to the workshop led by Tim at the YY building and initially hesitated, assuming it would be aimed at professionals. I had no equipment of my own, but I was reassured that an iPhone would be perfectly fine…so I decided to go. I’m very glad I did. The day was well structured, offering a welcome chance to “slow down” and thoughtfully observe a building both in use and in detail. The event was relaxed, informative, and enjoyable. I particularly valued learning from Tim during the final crit session, where we were able to see just how impressive everyone’s photographs were.”
– Tom Wells, AHMM
Upcoming dates
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Thursday 23rd April, The Design Hub, Caffè Terrazzo, 1 Manor Road, London W13, 5pm-8pm
- Wednesday 3rd June, Downstairs at dMFK, 76 Charlotte St, London W1, 9am-12pm
- Wednesday 29th July, Marine Court, St Leonard’s-on-Sea, East Sussex, 10am-1pm
- Thursday 10th September, Thetford Forest, Norfolk, 10am-1pm
- Sunday 6th December, Harry CJ Wix, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 10am-1pm
Attendance is free to RAI members but places are strictly limited so booking is essential. Refreshments will be served.
Contact Lorna Soar to book your place
