Okay, it's not photography...
My route into architectural photography was through art, and I still find it important to be able to observe buildings in order to fully understand how the play of light, shadow and form can be combined into images. Drawing and painting buildings on site is a easily the best way to do this, and one that I personally find very satisfying. It increases awareness in a way which photography cannot do, and yet feeds into my photography practice. So much so that a few weeks ago I cleared my diary and flew out to Venice, and painted a number of watercolours and other drawings on site.