Happy Labor Day!
Labor Day is the traditional announcement of summers end and the start of fall. That the school year starts and to watch out for students around schools. Even after all these years of being out of school, I continue to feel the twinge that the fun of summer has ended and that it's time to buckle down and get to work. It's funny how those old habits and feelings can still be drummed up - be it in school or business.
There are other building traditions that I've learned over 21 years of doing architectural photography. The tradition of needing to take photographs of school remodels before teachers and students "personalize" the classrooms and AIA chapter design competition submittals.
I enjoy these traditions and the challenges that each brings to me. Literally going into a new school, if only for a day or two to photograph it, allows me to relive the excitement of starting the school year! The AIA competition submittals feel like exams, more so for those of you who are submitting your projects but I share the tension with you waiting for the grades - okay, maybe I've taken the metaphor a bit too far - awards.
After 21 years of learning and sharing these traditions with my clients -
"Friends" - I look forward to them and the excitement we have a chance to share.
As a thank you for all the excitement that we have shared, please look below for a special offer.
Architectural Photography tip of the Month
What's your point of view?
Okay, I'm not asking you for your political point of view but visual point of view.
It's quite simple but easy to overlook the point of view of a room. Was the room designed for a sitting or standing position? If it's a restaurant or living room where the view is from a sitting position take the photograph from eye-height while sitting. If it's a lobby or atrium that people pass through take the photograph from eye-height while standing. In other words take the photograph from the height that a person, using the space, would be viewing the space.
There are other points of view like "birds eye view" or "worms eye view" that you might consider. Even though these descriptors name the species, other than human, who's view we are duplicating, consider them as a way to shock your viewers into looking at a space differently! They are tricks to capture attention so use them sparingly lest the viewer feels tricked.
New Projects
Beyond being a portfolio of my work, this web site is a visual thank you to those of you who have entrusted me to photograph your projects.
A biotechnology tenant improvement project that I recently photographed is: (click on image to see this project)
Genitope, Fremont, CA for
XL Construction of San Jose, CA and
Dowler-Gruman Architects of Mountain View, CA
