The Art of Architectural Photography 4-12-2014

The anticipation of photographing architectural icons is always an inspiring prospect.  These unique and remarkable structures, visions of creative minds,  must also rely on functionality.  It is true that there are architectural rarities that forfeit the practical for looks alone, but for the most part form follows function.  One of my primary considerations in photographing known architecture landmarks is  to discover a new aspect of the structure.  Instantly recognizable buildings are a challenge to present in that they are usually accepted at a glance.  The viewer has seen the building so many times that the slightest suggestion of it recalls previous impressions.  Really engaging the viewer then becomes problematic.  As a photographer, I try to bring something new and creative to each image and then communicate that to the viewer.  Show and Tell as it were: seeing something about the architecture that appeals to me and giving others the chance to interact with that uniqueness as well.
The Empire State Building is an example of an iconic structure that has a global profile.  The beautifully majestic Art Deco building exemplifies a people, a city and a way of life.  Capturing this totality in a fresh way is daunting.  I have taken hundreds of shots of the Empire State Building.  Mostly they record the impression most people perceive.  However, from a 6th story window in midtown, I saw something new.  The window frame and the angle I needed to use to capture the image put the building in a different context for me.  Always open to options, I appreciated an unexpected way to see the renowned Empire State Building.

Black and White photography: Empire State Building, NYC

For a different perspective visit:
http://architectsandartisans.com/index.php/2012/08/seeing-architecture-in-a-different-way/ 
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/a-view-of-the-empire-state-building-seen-anew/