The Art of Architectural Photography 12-2-2013

Essential to the art of architectural photography or any art is the communication between the photographer/artist and the viewer.  I believe this is the basis of my photography.  The dialogue begins when I first see my subject.  I then take the picture and later create an image that conveys that about the architecture which I would like to tell others.  I always shoot in color because color provides more reference for me.  Later I convert my photographs to black and white or sepia using the color tonalities as a guide.  Fundamental is the art of the architecture and above all else: the light.  Light is magical and marvelous.  Capturing the light is challenging and the ultimate reward.  My photographic aesthetic revolves around light and that is what, above all else, I want to communicate through my art.

In the two black and white photographs the light emphasizes the architecture while drawing the eye towards the doorway.  Compositionally, the light provides contrast and fluidity.
 

Durrell United Methodist Church: Bethlehem, NH

http://www.ellenfisch.com/worship.html

                                  Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation: Bethlehem, NH
                                         http://www.ellenfisch.com/worship.html

The Art of Architectural Photography 11-25-2013

Architecture is art.  Structures are created using the same principles as any visual art form.  In fact, these art fundamentals must actually physically support architecture.  The ornamentation of architecture embellishes the basic form.  These architectural details are also guided by the essentials of design.

This building ornament is set into many brick structures in NYC.  The featured design compliments brickwork wonderfully because it juxtaposes undulating forms with the geometrical brick .  It is an Art Deco design called the Waterfall.  Its symmetry is stand alone beautiful.  As an architectural detail it adds beauty, interest and flow to the architecture.  I used sepia in this photograph as a tonality to emphasize the cascading lines of the design and the pop of negative space.

Waterfall Art Deco Architectural Detail: Sutton Place, NYC 

 

Sepia Architectural Photograph: www.ellenfisch.com

The Art of Architectural Photography

Art is as old as humans.  Some of the first evidences of art are the cave drawings, which depict the human desire for self-expression: to tell others, or perhaps his/her own feelings and perceptions about life.
Architecture is as old as human life as well.  Shelter was sought from environmental conditions, such as heat, storms and animal predators.  The "architecture" may have been provided by nature, i.e. caves, but it was architecture nonetheless.
Photography is the capture of light to produce images.  This very basic personal definition has given me the foundation for my life's work.  Light imaging is the third in the trilogy of the art of architectural photography.  As old as art and architecture, light imaging has given humans a way to particularize their lives, ideas emotions.
Expressing my own point of view through the three oldest art forms is challenging and infinitely rewarding!

Photograph of Flower Architectural Detail in Black and White: Water Street, NYC

  

To Be Continued

I have not abandoned my blog by any means.  I have been thinking about the direction the blog should take in order for me to express my passion for photography and to appeal to readers who love photography, too. 
I have a plan and will begin blogging again soon.
Meanwhile I have the honor and delight of sharing my thoughts through the venerable and stellar photography publication Black Star Rising:

http://rising.blackstar.com/connections-to-the-photograph.html#more-17969

I hope you enjoy!
Ellen

Capturing Exposures

My photographer/fine artist friend Matthew G. Beall has created a marvelous new web publication: Capturing Exposures http://www.capturingexposures.com/  Capturing Exposures features wonderful photographers and insightful information about photography.
"Capturing Exposures’ mission is very simple: to showcase quality photographs by photographers who make them.  Capturing Exposures subscribes to the idea of quality and consistency over quantity."
Enjoy!

Art, Antiques and Luxury Design Blog

I was given a wonderful opportunity by Elliot Lee  to contribute an article about photography to the marvelous Art, Antiques and Luxury Design Blog.  AAD articles are most informative and a very enjoyable read.  The contributors to the Blog are knowledgeable and their essays foster thought and appreciation for the arts.  Here is a link to my article: http://art-antiques-design.com/2013/07/12/the-fine-art-of-photography-in-the-1800s-by-ellen-fisch/

I hope you also have a chance to look at the rest of the site.  Art, Antiques and Luxury Design Blog will inspire you!  http://art-antiques-design.com/

Worship

For the past year I have been working on a photography essay about religion as presented through photography.  Since 1975 I have been spending time in the small New Hampshire town of Bethlemhem.  For many of the residents of Bethlehem, integral to the their New England way of life has always been Worship.  There are a number of Houses of Worship in Bethlehem.  I am most familiar with the Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation and the Durrell United Methodist Church, having attended events and services at both.
As an architectural photographer, my orientation to communicating my subject through my images is architecture.  Through this lens I perceived how the Durrell Church and the BHC offer their congregants a place to practice religion and the objects contained within each place that are  symbolically profound to religion.
It was a serious undertaking for me.  And a labor of love and respect for two Houses of Worship that I hold dear.  I am honored to be able to exhibit my Worship photographs in August.
For more about my experience in photographing for the exhibit please click on this link:
http://rising.blackstar.com/presenting-religion-through-photography.html#more-17910 

 To see the Worship photographs use this link: http://www.ellenfisch.com/worship.html