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Author Topic: Suggested book for Arch shooters  (Read 3043 times)

Chris Barrett

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Suggested book for Arch shooters
« on: April 26, 2015, 08:52:38 am »

As an architectural photographer, I felt this book was required reading.  It's 9 7/8 x 11 3/8 in, so as far as books... I'd consider that Medium Format.  There's some great stuff in there.  (Despite the cover's horrific graphic design)

Shooting Space







CB
« Last Edit: April 26, 2015, 08:57:39 am by Chris Barrett »
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alatreille

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2015, 04:36:17 pm »

Agreed - stunning book with an excellent spectrum of the sub-genres of Architectural Photography.
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JamesJetel

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2015, 08:37:28 pm »

Let's see how long it takes to get to Hong Kong, looks like a great piece.
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heinrichvoelkel

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2015, 11:15:36 am »

please look at this one as well http://www.amazon.com/Constructing-Worlds-Photography-Architecture-Modern/dp/3791381156

I have it and I think it is great.
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Chris Barrett

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2015, 08:40:17 am »

That looks great, Heinrich... will check it out!

haefnerphoto

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2015, 11:03:12 pm »

As an architectural photographer, I felt this book was required reading.  It's 9 7/8 x 11 3/8 in, so as far as books... I'd consider that Medium Format.  There's some great stuff in there.  (Despite the cover's horrific graphic design)

Shooting Space







CB

Chris, I can't say I agree that this should be required reading for someone interested in architectural photography.  My copy arrived today and I was looking forward to being amazed when I had some time to sit down and have a look.  Unfortunately, it didn't amaze me, it also didn't inspire me.  I don't think I've seen so many bad photographs in one publication in a long time.  I found maybe 10% of the images interesting.  If you're a fan of Iwan Baan's snapshots, Olivo Barbieri's tilt shifted cities or the decay porn guys you'll like this book.  There was way too much over intellectualizing and not enough substance (for me at least).  Yes, I do like Nadav Kander, Michael Wolf and there are a couple shots by Gursky that were particularly brilliant but they were in the minority.  I think if you're looking for inspiration you might have to look to the past, Stoller, Korab, and Shulman to name a few.  Quite honestly your work, Tim Griffith's work and actually many other photographers currently working produce much more meaningful images.  If I have taken anything of value from Shooting Space I guess it would be to loosen up a little but that's about it.  Jim
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David Eichler

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2015, 11:57:13 am »

I think if you're looking for inspiration you might have to look to the past, Stoller, Korab, and Shulman to name a few. 

Yes, it is essential to study the old masters, but you can't live in the past. Innovation is haphazard and messy, and it takes awhile to absorb new styles and sort out what has lasting value and what is just innovation for the sake of doing something different. I welcome what someone like Baan does. Though I find some of his stuff banal, I also find some of it rather refreshing. One contemporary architectural photographer whose work I enjoy a lot, and am very interested in, is Hèléne Binet. While I think what she does is somewhat close to traditional architectural photography, I find something fresh and original about her approach: something closer to art photography while still not overwhelming the subject with her style.
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Chris Barrett

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2015, 12:32:23 pm »

I should have clarified.  This is not a book about the commercial photography of architecture.  I think it's important though to expose yourself to all permutations of the genre though.  I also feel it's critical to produce personal work that hones the vision and builds upon the craft.  I agree there's a lot of crap in the book and while I am by no means a fan of Baan, I think it's still important to look at his work since so many architects seem to love him.

I could work in a bubble and probably do fine for the rest of my career, but I don't think I would enjoy it nearly as much.

BTW, Rod from Arca just sent me a Universalis to play with for a couple weeks.  I love this little camera.  I'm taking it out tomorrow on a Skidmore shoot.  Photos and review to follow on the blog.

David Eichler

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2015, 12:36:17 pm »

 I agree there's a lot of crap in the book and while I am by no means a fan of Baan, I think it's still important to look at his work since so many architects seem to love him.

Question is, do a lot of architects love Baan because they love his work or because art directors love his work and architects think that might make it easier to get published?
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Kaypee

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2015, 08:20:36 am »

I was speaking to someone who had been sent to do exactly that. They got the 'formal' shots while Iwan Baan did his thing. Interesting idea that as a client you're paying twice!

I was given the book at Christmas but only opened it yesterday. Didn't manage to bring myself to brave beyond the cover in case there was more of it! Quite enjoyed it though, mainly for the variety of approaches.
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alatreille

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #10 on: May 15, 2015, 08:20:49 pm »

This happens not just with IB.
I have clients that will hire 3-4 photographers for their variety of vision.
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Suggested book for Arch shooters
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2015, 10:01:38 pm »

I bought the book too and found the last chapter about photographic creations to be inspiring.

A lot of the rest seems focused on work by guys whose main focus is to do something different to stand out rather than to create something of aesthetical appeal.

I spent a bit of time thinking about the defocused images of Sugimoto. Wondering why he bothered using a 4x5 camera to capture about 0.1 megapixel worth of information. But then yes, his work manages to extract the essence of a building's main lines. How relevant is it though?

Cheers,
Bernard
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