One of the best lessons photography has taught me is simple: always look up.
When I first stood beneath the rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, my natural instinct was to frame the sweeping arches and those monumental columns head-on. But then I tilted my lens skyward, and suddenly the shot transformed. What I found above me wasn’t just a ceiling—it was an intricate tapestry of geometry, light, and craftsmanship that most people walk under without ever noticing.
That moment changed how I photograph, and in many ways, how I travel. I still lag behind my family – egging me on to move faster, but I digress.
Photography Tip: Always Look Up – Capturing Ceilings, Domes, and Hidden Details
Ceilings, domes, and archways are often overlooked. Our eyes get drawn to the obvious—doorways, facades, landscapes. But when you take a moment to look up, you discover details that feel like secrets, waiting to be found. At the Palace of Fine Arts, the honeycomb pattern inside the dome glows with golden light at night, giving the impression of a lantern suspended in the sky. It’s dramatic, ornate, and incredibly photogenic.
Since taking this photo, I’ve made “looking up” a kind of personal mantra. Whether I’m wandering through a European cathedral, standing in a modern glass atrium, or even just walking down a city street lined with old trees—looking up reveals another layer of the story.
Photographing the Overlooked
Capturing ceilings and upper details does come with its own challenges. Shooting straight up can distort lines, and balancing the brighter artificial light with darker surroundings requires care. But the reward is worth it—you walk away with images that aren’t just about place, but about perspective.
A few tips that help when photographing upward:
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Find Symmetry: Domes and ceilings often have repeating patterns. Centering your shot can amplify the design.
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Control Exposure: Brightly lit ceilings can easily blow out—shoot in RAW and keep an eye on highlights. I struggled with this in Austria and Germany, where many of the church ceilings tend to be white and blow out highlights.
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Play With Angles: Sometimes a slight tilt or off-centre composition adds dynamism while still capturing detail.
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Embrace the Unexpected: You’ll often notice carvings, reliefs, or even small flourishes of artistry that were meant to be admired but are rarely seen.
Beyond Photography
For me, looking up has become more than a technique. It’s a reminder to slow down and notice details I might otherwise miss. Just as this glowing dome revealed its patterns only when I shifted perspective, life often hides its beauty in places we don’t think to look.
So next time you find yourself somewhere new, pause for a moment. Tilt your head back. Raise your camera. There’s a whole world above eye level, waiting to be seen.
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