I've noticed, that quite often, the photos classified in architecture are very modern buildings.

However, architecture can related to something quite different like an old roman bridge or even ruins.

Could architecture specialists tell me where the limits are ?

I've just posted a photo of a Mayan temple, it is obviously architecture but would it be better to classify it as landscape since its a wide angle photo and we do not only see the building ?

Holiday snapshot too ? ;-))) Everyday ?

 

 

I am glad you posted that picture..others have posted some older architecture here also. To see both old and new is wonderful.

 

I also love parts of buildings...the doors, the windows...things like that..smaller parts of a building.

 

Phyllis

 

What limits?? How about stone age man to Frank Gehry? It's all architecture...

 

You have completely right, Marie :) And i agree.

 

Basic theory about architecture photography is the reproduction on a two-dimensional shet of photographic paper of the three-dimensional creation of a architect. And architects do and have done many things sine many centurys ago, not just modern buildings. Maybe this modern tendence to reproduce "high tech" modern buildings have to do with the comercial use of architecture photography.

 

Inside this genre, you can have historical buildings, bridges, towers, old and moder factorys, furniture, dayly objects, everything that can be done by a architect. The best architecture photographers is the ones that are sensitive to the esthetics of the structure, how it serves its function, and how it relates to its environment. He must not only strive to record the outward appearance and proportions of a building.

 

Some curators specializated in architecture photoraphy defends that all architecture photographers must have a felling for the architect as an artists and sensitively reproduces his creation, and of course, deep knowledge about architecture and structures.

 

Hi Rui,

Many thanks for your answer, i appreciate your explanations, and of course the reason why we can see lots of modern buildings is due to the commercial use of this type of photography, as a matter of fact I never thought of this reason ;-)

And I find interesting your last paragraph as regards the relationship between the one who takes the photo and the one who created the building, it helps realize what one has to look for and try to convey when photographing architecture.

 

MC

 

In general I agree with you that these aspets are important. But I also think it depends a lot on how you chose to approach the visualization of the building. For instance if you want to show details the environment may not be important at all. And if you want to convey the beautyful graphics of a facade, the function of the building might be irrelevant.

The three aspects you mention (structure, function and environment) are the mantras of the architect, but not nessecarily of the photographer if you ask me (unless it is purely documentary/representative pictures wich have the very purpose to convey the architects intentions with his/her building). The photographer of architectural art pictures should be alloud to have a completely different artistic agenda than the architect of the buildings in question, in my opinion:-)

 

Dan

 

 

Not "should be" but "must be" :)

 

There are diferent markets for architectural photography, if you are directer to "art market" you can have your own artistic agenda.

 

If you are in archictectural business, then the architect will impose you what i said in my first post :

 

"must have a felling for the architect as an artists and sensitively reproduces his creation"

 

Because is the architect that wants to sell his art (buildings) and not you.

 

Sometimes i have some doubts if a photographer of "architectural art pictures" are doing a creative and unique work or are just stealing the art of the architect, but, don´t became furious with me, this toughts came from never ending discussions in other places and are just doubts :-)

 

 

I could say the same:-)

(don't worry, I'm not furious, just eager to discuss....)

 

And yes, we agree that it all depends on the purpose of the shoot. I think I just assumed that most architectural pictures on 1X are created in the spirit of art and not buisiness.....

 

 

You have completely right, Marie :) And i agree.

 

Inside this genre, you can have historical buildings, bridges, towers, old and moder factorys, furniture, dayly objects, everything that can be done by a architect. The best architecture photographers is the ones that are sensitive to the esthetics of the structure, how it serves its function, and how it relates to its environment. He must not only strive to record the outward appearance and proportions of a building.

 

 

Rui,

I appreciate the modern architecture very much because I am able to see just how advanced many of the European countries are in terms of infrastructure. I have learned a great deal from looking at these kinds of photos on lx.

 

However, at the same time one of the marvelous things about European Cities is their old architecture. Of course, when you live there and are from there you do not realize this 'quite' as much...because it is normal for you. Older things are everywhere. These kinds of places have layers of paint, scraped metal, beautiful faded colors...

 

These types of things are less visible in the USA. This is one reason why I would love to see more older architectural shots. When something gets old here we tend to tear it down and build something new...which most of the time is pretty terrible - to look at. The buildings are simple concrete or cinder block. Strip malls fill the major roads. Manhattan, one part of NYC has preserved many of the older buildings. (old for us. :) and some of those structures are gorgeous...like the Brooklyn Bridge. Yet we lost many.

 

So from a cultural perspective keep in mind that many people across many parts of the world do not have this older and interesting buildings etc..to enjoy as you do. :)) I am sure Lisbon is very interesting....for example. I would love to see more of these older places. In a very fundamental way I see this as equally if not more artistic than the newer ones.

 

So I guess I agree with you...:)

Not sure where Dan is from....

But MC you too are fortunate....

Phyllis

 

 

Copenhagen, Denmark........:-)

 

 

Thank you Dan. :)

Phyllis

Marie-Claude´,

have you found now an answer to this in the recents group discussion

(http://www.1x.com/forum/architecture/249/1368693774) and / or the group "about" (http://www.1x.com/groups/architecture/about) ?

Harry

Hi Harry,

 

Of course I found some answers, read the different posts carefully, didn't say anything more simply because I don't know anything about architecture photography, I'm just trying to unterstand the different points of view.

 

One interesting thing Rui mentioned

 

"Sometimes i have some doubts if a photographer of "architectural art pictures" are doing a creative and unique work or are just stealing the art of the architect"

 

I think you steal it if just take the photo "take" is the important word I think but I don't think you steal the architect artwork if you add something to it, if at least you try to.

 

I mean if you try and convey the deep meaning, or the deep function of this architecture artwork.

 

It's a bit difficult to explain, but this is what I tried to do in this photo (sorry to use one of mine)

I tried to show what such an architecture can provide to the visitors, the feeling you can have when visiting such a place.

 

http://1x.com/photo/132479/all:user:139814

 

Of course I think this is easier with old buildings full of history than with modern ones.

And what about Portrait? Landscape? Is ist not the same? Photographers are thieves??? No way! If you shoot a paintig and you show 1:1 as an photo ... than it ist "stolen". But creating a good architecture photo (or Portrait or Lanscape or ...) is hard work in finding the best pov, the best framing, the best camera setting, the best light a.s.o.

I agree 100%. Nothing is "stolen" in this picture and it is definetely non documentary.

Harry

 

 

Although many of my architectural images are inspired by modern buildings, it is the shapes, patterns and forms that catch my eye, regardless of the age or style of building.

 

Construction on the building in this image started in 1297 - it's the Palazzo Publico in Siena :-)

 

http://1x.com/photo/169436/group:9

Hi Linda ! I can see you like old "things" too ! ;-)

 

I find those old buildings so inspiring ! But I enjoy admiring modern architecture too, often very graphic !

MC

 

The interesting thing is that this building was modern, at that time. So "modern" is relative :)

Hi Harry

 

What's interest me in architecture photography are the lines and the shapes of it and the play of light and tones through that. That's basically what I am looking for.

For me modern architecture buildings with their structures of concrete and glass offer there more possibilities,

My aim is not to render a 'documentary' capture of the building, but my own subjective view on it. I use quite extensively PS to adapt the final image the way I want to see it.

 

 

And you show it to us with your outstanding work, Jef.

 

Examples:

“Light caresses” - http://1x.com/photo/161928/all:user:2182

“Green meets green” - http://1x.com/photo/52352/all:user:2182

“Reaching for the sky” - http://1x.com/photo/53299/all:user:2182

 

Thanks for sharing it!!

 

Harry

Our group shows a great range of different architectural subjects - examples:

 

/// by Karl-Heinz Bitter - http://1x.com/photo/195771/group:9:all:admin:37876

 

At the Restaurant by Marie-Claude Couillard - http://1x.com/photo/189689/group:9:all:admin:37876

 

Red and White by Max Zimmermann - http://1x.com/photo/49950/group:9:all:admin:37876

 

Thank you all for participating and sharing!!

 

Harry (group admin)

Three very good examples for the use of light, shapes and colors (monochrome) of modern architecture:

 

http://1x.com/photo/296544/group:9:all:admin:37876

http://1x.com/photo/296545/group:9:all:admin:37876

http://1x.com/photo/294482/group:9:all:admin:37876

 

Very creative work. Many thanks to Mario and Tobias for sharing it in the architecture group!!

 

Harry (group admin)