Harold Davis; Architectural Photographer

Harold Davis, 79, freelance photographer who specialized in capturing showcase homes. His work, frequently including cover photographs, appeared in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and The Times’ now-defunct Home Magazine. He carefully recorded the evolution of what came to be known as “the Southern California home,” photographing the mansions of Pasadena and those of such celebrities as Ronald Reagan and Harold Lloyd. Working with 4-inch-by-5-inch negatives, he was considered an expert in the difficult art form of architectural photography, which involves accurately depicting three-dimensional exterior and interior design without distortion. A native of Newport, R.I., Davis was based in Los Angeles most of his career. On March 12 in North Hollywood.