Delighted and honored to present a Dfx Webinar tomorrow! Check out the Tiffen Dfx site for details: http://www.tiffensoftware.com/tutorials/webinars
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The Art of Artchitectural Photography 10-28-2014
Delighted and honored to present a Dfx Webinar tomorrow! Check out the Tiffen Dfx site for details: http://www.tiffensoftware.com/tutorials/webinars
Sunday, October 26, 2014
The Art of Architectural Photography 10-26-2014
Light is that marvelous substance that provides the shadows, highlights, lines, forms and focus to whatever you are looking at. You may be viewing at a grand vista or an egg on a table, the light creates that which impacts your eye. Light describes the subject and each place has its own special light. Fortunately, I have been able to observe the different qualities of light in places where architects, artists and photographers captured the unique qualities that "their" light offered. For example, I was glad to travel to Sweden several years ago to see architecture, paintings, sculpture and photographs in the natural light in which they were produced. One can really understand artworks when observing the light that directly affects artists and their subjects. The cool, crystalline light of the northern countries, such as Canada, Sweden, Wales. The hot, vibrant light of Spain. Some places surprise: Scotland truly has a "heathery" light and I found that Cornish, New Hampshire has a "buttery," glowing light.
Then, too, available light may alter the perception of the individual work of architecture, art and other aesthetic. When looking at an artwork, you are naturally influenced by the light that illuminates it. Many public buildings have added glass walls and skylights to bring more natural light into the building. Architecture is frequently positioned to be lit to its best advantage by ambient light. Such power does light and its capture have that since the beginning of time, peoples have been trying to maximize its amazing characteristics by channeling it into their own creations.
Skylights, around since Roman times and probably before, were invented for just such a purpose: make use of light to illuminate and elevate the subject or important art in the structure. Many modern buildings have incorporated skylights into their architecture and this provides natural light, even moon light. I find the varied designs of skylights intriguing and, for the most part beautiful. The light that comes through the skylights is, of course, marvelous.
Black and white architectural photography
To read more about skylights visit:
http://www.townandcountryus.com/html/public_tour02.html
http://aiadc.com/sites/default/files/ARCH017.pdf
http://www.cmog.org/expansion
Then, too, available light may alter the perception of the individual work of architecture, art and other aesthetic. When looking at an artwork, you are naturally influenced by the light that illuminates it. Many public buildings have added glass walls and skylights to bring more natural light into the building. Architecture is frequently positioned to be lit to its best advantage by ambient light. Such power does light and its capture have that since the beginning of time, peoples have been trying to maximize its amazing characteristics by channeling it into their own creations.
Skylights, around since Roman times and probably before, were invented for just such a purpose: make use of light to illuminate and elevate the subject or important art in the structure. Many modern buildings have incorporated skylights into their architecture and this provides natural light, even moon light. I find the varied designs of skylights intriguing and, for the most part beautiful. The light that comes through the skylights is, of course, marvelous.
Black and white architectural photography
To read more about skylights visit:
http://www.townandcountryus.com/html/public_tour02.html
http://aiadc.com/sites/default/files/ARCH017.pdf
http://www.cmog.org/expansion
Saturday, October 18, 2014
The Art of Architectural Photography 10-18-2014
My passion for architecture is not focused on any one style or period in particular. I just love buildings, structures, ornamentation, building materials, railings, et al. I must admit a fondness, however, for Art Deco. The wonderfully imaginative perspective of architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and Josef Hoffmann inspires my architectural photography and motivates me to look at my subjects in new ways.
Architecture that is designated as Art Deco in NYC is frequently lavished with ornamentation that is dynamic, compelling and enormously engaging. The Art Deco genre originally abstracted traditional design and incorporated geometric motifs related to the machine age into architecture, art, fashion, jewelry and many other aesthetics. It is a style that energizes the viewer. The bold symmetry of Art Deco, such as that of the design that makes NYC's Chrysler Building instantly recognizable and powerfully iconic, gives it a unique look. One that is intensely appealing to me.
A recent article about Cubism also interested me greatly. Cubism abstracts, yet has a very structural style. The forms and lines of Cubist paintings create an Art Deco feel for me. The genres definitely overlap. It was from the influences of Art Deco and Cubism that I decided to abstract an already abstracted photograph I took some months ago. In looking at the image I was struck by the forms and the design they created when juxtaposed with each other. The horizontal initial shot was then further altered into the vertical. As I manipulated the image, Art Deco elements began to appear.
It's all about point of view.
Architectural photography
Architectural photography
For more information about Art Deco and Cubism visit:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323475304578499074267279476
http://www.decolish.com/Cubism.html#axzz3GLh89iNr
http://char.txa.cornell.edu/art/decart/artdeco/artdeco.htm
Architecture that is designated as Art Deco in NYC is frequently lavished with ornamentation that is dynamic, compelling and enormously engaging. The Art Deco genre originally abstracted traditional design and incorporated geometric motifs related to the machine age into architecture, art, fashion, jewelry and many other aesthetics. It is a style that energizes the viewer. The bold symmetry of Art Deco, such as that of the design that makes NYC's Chrysler Building instantly recognizable and powerfully iconic, gives it a unique look. One that is intensely appealing to me.
A recent article about Cubism also interested me greatly. Cubism abstracts, yet has a very structural style. The forms and lines of Cubist paintings create an Art Deco feel for me. The genres definitely overlap. It was from the influences of Art Deco and Cubism that I decided to abstract an already abstracted photograph I took some months ago. In looking at the image I was struck by the forms and the design they created when juxtaposed with each other. The horizontal initial shot was then further altered into the vertical. As I manipulated the image, Art Deco elements began to appear.
It's all about point of view.
For more information about Art Deco and Cubism visit:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323475304578499074267279476
http://www.decolish.com/Cubism.html#axzz3GLh89iNr
http://char.txa.cornell.edu/art/decart/artdeco/artdeco.htm
Thursday, October 2, 2014
The Art of Architectural Photography 10-2-2014
In visiting many of the NYC department stores, I cannot help notice the lack of interior design that once reflected the taste and style of the clientele. For the most part stores are now either metal and glass open spaces with racks of discounted merchandise exhibiting the space's only color, pattern and texture or the current ubiquitous "warehouse" look that is supposed (I suppose) to subliminally suggest huge bargains to shoppers. I don't think that warehouse interior design comes cheap and the merchandise is not always inexpensive either.
There are, of course exceptions. My last blog was about Henri Bendel, a veritable bastion of grace and beauty. The store's interior wood paneling alone is a lost luxury that may never be replicated in a commercial space. The elegant interior is complimented by the stunning exterior that seems to be a throwback to another age. Lalique windows are set into the building's facade like jewels and the elaborate Art Deco ornamentation throughout the store bespeaks glamor, a sense of style and a shopper who is discerning. Amazingly, the entrance to the Ladies' Lounge is, in fact itself a beautiful Lounge with Barcelona chairs and glossy books (!) on sleek glass tables. The room says, "Sit a while; relax before continuing your shopping." In the snatch-and-run of today's experiences in stores, how refreshing and evocative of a time when one could stop for a few minutes to enjoy!
Black and white architectural photography & Sepia architectural photography
To learn more about Bendel's please visit:
http://untappedcities.com/2011/06/22/the-windows-that-saved-a-building-henri-bendel-on-5th-avenue/
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/10/arts/architecture-view-a-shot-of-adrenaline-for-fifth-avenue.html?src=pm&pagewanted=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_chair
There are, of course exceptions. My last blog was about Henri Bendel, a veritable bastion of grace and beauty. The store's interior wood paneling alone is a lost luxury that may never be replicated in a commercial space. The elegant interior is complimented by the stunning exterior that seems to be a throwback to another age. Lalique windows are set into the building's facade like jewels and the elaborate Art Deco ornamentation throughout the store bespeaks glamor, a sense of style and a shopper who is discerning. Amazingly, the entrance to the Ladies' Lounge is, in fact itself a beautiful Lounge with Barcelona chairs and glossy books (!) on sleek glass tables. The room says, "Sit a while; relax before continuing your shopping." In the snatch-and-run of today's experiences in stores, how refreshing and evocative of a time when one could stop for a few minutes to enjoy!
To learn more about Bendel's please visit:
http://untappedcities.com/2011/06/22/the-windows-that-saved-a-building-henri-bendel-on-5th-avenue/
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/10/arts/architecture-view-a-shot-of-adrenaline-for-fifth-avenue.html?src=pm&pagewanted=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_chair
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