Architecture
For this post, I thought I would let you know a few tips on how and this is the key, when to shoot architecture. Obviously I am stating my preference, but I will tell you why this is my beilief. When you shoot architecture, you should always at least try to inclued something that gives you scale(people, cars, lightpoles, trees, etc.). If you are shooting for details, then just make sure you use your compositional rules, but other than that have fun. The best shots for architecture show depth which means high contrast light, small aperture, and again contrasting light. For the past couple of shots I have done I have chosen to shoot at twilight. This is because most street lighting, or building lighting has a natural orange or yellow hue to it, and given that the sky between night and day has a very strong, rich blue you get a natural pallette of complimentary colors. Also, lengthened exposures give you the ability to have car trails and things that give your image movement. Here are a few examples of what I am talking about. 
Kansas City Icons
I am not typically the biggest proponent of Black and White imagery, I find color far more interesting for the depths of the colors you can express. That being said, I do believe black and white is a great way to study, and understand how color affects your images. I took one of the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Black and White and am happy with the results. The other shots are from the Western Auto building in the Crossroads district. I waited nearly a half-hour for the clouds and lighting to be where my vision of the shot to line up correctly.
Ryan Estes Photos 