Showing posts with label Architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Architecture. Show all posts

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Architectural Photography

This semester I am taking an architectural photography class at the Boston Architectural College where I taught last semester. I opted to sit out from teaching this semester with Baby Sabbe due to arrive directly in the middle. So far the class is amazing and I am hoping to learn enough to save myself a few bucks by shooting some of my own recent projects. The first class we spent some time analyzing other architectural photographer's websites as our instructor pointed out the good and the bad. Here is a little bit about what we discussed.

The photographer behind all of these images is the very talented Jim Roof. If you have a project in Georgia you should definitely look him up...he is good.

shot one: a corporate office breakroom
Observations
1. Taking several images with different exposure settings allows the photographer to merge images to create an overall informative scene. i.e. there is never going to be one shot that would capture the exterior view and different levels of interior lighting (there are two in this scene) so you shoot multiple shots and then merge them together in Photoshop. I will write more on this topic and specific camera settings later.
2. Time of day is important. This dusk sky compliments this scene very nicely.
3. Selecting views with repetition of furniture, fixtures, etc. can help convey a strong perspective.
4. Think about all four corners in the shot, our instructor emphasized this a ton. All four corners should be different and express something different in the scene.
5. Think about how staging can compliment, but not dominate your scene. This apple, again, helps emphasize the perspective lines on the dining counter.
shot two: corporate office lobby
Observations
1. Again, take time to capture shots that separately showcase each lighting element at it's best.
2. At both ends of this shot the photographer is telling us that there is something more around the corner. For larger spaces, this is a very important in conveying the size of your project. If it's not just one little room, you need to give hints to allude to that.
3. Sometimes shooting interior spaces at night is the right choice. One good reason would be if the exterior view is unattractive or detracts from the design on the interior. Another reason photographers may choose a night scene is to reflect the interior space back x2 with the windows, allowing the focus to stay on the interior design. 
 shot three: outdoor shopping center
Observations
1. Again, all the lighting is perfect.
2. The sky compliments the lighting and allows the focus to stay on the design, not the sky.
3. The people give the image much needed scale.
4. The ability to capture the gondolier in motion gives the shot life.
 shot four: coca-cola museum
Observations
1. This shot is awesome.
2. The angle, with the fountain lines curving up to the building, give this shot visual motion.
3. The angle also pulls from vertical alignments from buildings beyond, implying the building was not just designed to be anywhere, it was designed to fit into this exact context.
4. The fountain reflects the architecture, creating a double image.
Hope this helps you see at all the pretty images we look at on blogs, magazines, and ads daily with a bit more of a critical eye. Later I will post tips on actual camera settings for capturing some of these elements.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Inspiration 1.10

When was the last time you soaked in a bath long enough for your fingers to wrinkle? Pair a neck-deep tub with a stunning view and simple lines, and I'd never get out.

Images: 1-3.
John Granen via My Paradissi 4. Via Ocean Home Magazine |

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Inspiration 12.16

So excited about DC's first real snowstorm, and this amazing Belgian house would be perfect for watching the snowflakes fall...

Images from Lolita Blog, Martha Stewart via Dress, Design, Decor and Stockholm Street Style

Friday, December 10, 2010

Dreaming of The Black Pearl

I know what you're thinking. "Oh, the Johnny Depp dreams again". Who me? Never...o.k. maybe. But that really isn't what I meant, by this title. Its actually the name of this gorgeous townhome  in Rotterdam. A total reformation of this century old building has resulted in an amazingly innovative home. I think my favorite detail is the bright green wall on the exterior. It looks like some sort of fabric, but I wasn't able to find any info. about it. Its awesome, though!!

The unusual details in this house are worth studying for a while. Especially if you need some ideas to kick you in the pants!  Find more info. at We Heart , Studio Rolf. fr , and one of my new favorite blogs The Best Part  .

Thursday, November 11, 2010

One With the Land

Sometimes I think I am creative...

...and then I see creations like this by Javier Senosiain Ferrocement and I realize what a real in the box thinker I really am. Even if it's not your cup of tea, and you would never want to live in it (I can read all of your minds) you have to agree with the fact that this is habitable art. I discovered Javier's work while at GS&P. I continue to be amazed. images: Interior Design Magazine

And P.S. Sorry for the last foot image. Not sure what the photographer was thinking when he decided to go with that angle. g.r.o.s.s!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Living Small, Living Well

Lately, I've been thinking about living small, efficient and practical. In fact, I don't know why I said "thinking about living small" like its a new concept, when I do live small already! What I really should say, is living in a small home that also qualifies as dream living. Like perhaps on a beautiful Hawaiian beach, maybe?

Surrounded by so much natural beauty, why would anyone need an enormous house. I would rather feel like I live outside...with air conditioning of course!
(I found this house on an amazing site my sister introduced me to called Trendir. Check it out for some more amazing modern homes. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time there)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Puma Fenway

Right around the corner from our apartment there lives a stack of shipping crates that are being transformed into a permanent structure to house a retail space and event center for Puma. It's pretty slow in the making and rumor has it the economy did not spare this project when she tore through the architectural world. But I am inspired every time I walk past it to think a bit more outside the box, no pun intended. I cannot wait to see how they finish out the interior.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Inspiration 9.3

I keep telling myself that I'd never really want to live in a modern house, that I need the protection of sturdy beams, insulation and plaster to feel at home -- then I see images like this, and the feeling is a lot like love.

Wishing all of my New England readers being visited by Hurricane Earl a weekend as tranquil as this looks.

via Bits of Beauty, Small House Style

Monday, August 23, 2010

Death of the McMansion: Could it be true?

(Photos via Cote de Texas, read her hilarious post!)
Wine rooms, media rooms, swimming pools, water fountains, tennis courts, children living two floors away from their parents, and adults constantly giving themselves away in body, mind and spirit to maintain the facade. All the while "family" turns into a thing of the past.
(More info here)
If the death of the McMansion allows children to know their parents and parents to enjoy their children and if it allows people to nourish their souls again.... then this demise can't happen soon enough for me.

This is just my
opinion of course:)
Carolina

Inspiration 8.23

I love how the architect carved out this little enclosed space in such an airy bathroom. Something about applying liquid eyeliner or using a heated eyelash curler brings out that primordial cave-dwelling need for tight quarters, doesn't it?

via Kika Reichert

Monday, August 2, 2010

Inspiration 8.2

I'm not usually a fan of modern architecture, but the skylight here is just gorgeous. I would love to see a smaller scale version of this room off of a more traditional country house.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Le Pompidou

One of my favorite blogs these days is Caitlin Wilson's Style Files. She's not only a terrific Interior Designer, but she travels more than any person I have ever met and blogs about it, so we can all live vicariously through her. She recently went to Paris, which made me go back and look at some photos of Mr. Sabbe and I's trip to Paris and I found some great images from our visit to the Pompidou. As with many things in Paris, the Pompidou is something I had learned a great deal about in college and was beyond thrilled to get to experience it first hand. The architectural history is amazing, and the art inside is even more amazing.

Never in my life have I been more excited to see a urinal.
I want to go back. Today.