On Image Making

Spaces, Objects & Architecture

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Some buildings you just have to take a picture of

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When the weather does not cooperate.

This building is called the Old Main, located on the Hamlin University Campus in Saint Paul MN. I wanted to show this picture to emphasize how important the sky (and clouds) is for a good picture.

You might have guessed already that I do not care for washed out sky with little or no detail like in the picture above. In my opinion it rarely looks good. Its just a big blob of nothingness.

On this particular day I had my hopes up that the sky would somehow clear and give me at least some clouds. I did not. It stayed stubbornly overcast the whole time I was there, and this picture is the best I could do. The next day the sky was wondeful with lots of lovely puffy, white clouds.

I think the picture of Old Main is OK, but it could have been so much more interesting with some sort of clouds.

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Possible lightleak

I was out making photographs with my Wista 45 D Large Format camera the other day and I suspect that the film holder has something of a light leak. (Notice the streaks on the left side of the image)

In any case, I am quite fond of the image.

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Using the square format.

The image above is the St Croix Crossing, a bridge linking Minnesota and Wisconsin across the St Croix River. I wouldn't normally utilize the square format when photographing architecture, but there is nothing that says you can't, so I gave it try.

The image is pretty textbook photography as far as composition is concerned, but overall I think its a decent picture.

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Been photographing with my large format camera (Wista 45 D) using 4x5 Kodak Tri-x film. The process of making a photograph with this camera is clunky, but worthwile.

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Metropolitan State University 2nd try.

At least I got a few clouds on the left side.

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Can I have some clouds, please.

This is the Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul MN. I photographed this building when the sun was about to set. Often an ideal time for architectural photography due to the beautiful soft light.

I am quite pleased with the image. However, I can't help thinking how much better it could have been with some nice, puffy clouds. In my way of thinking, clouds can elevate a picture to a different level. Therefore, I might re-photograph this building when the weather is more favorable.

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A foggy morning in Saint Paul MN. Can't gelp getting some serious Bernd & Hilla Becher vibes from this structure on the right.

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Didn't think this image was going to work, but somehow it did

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I am a sucker for minimalism so I have been itching to photograph this stairway at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis for a long time. Thanks to the staff at MIA for letting me bring in my old and bulky tripod.

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Strong Memorial Hospital. Rochester NY

Social Media

I have more or less lost interest in social media. Besides from Tumblr I use Instagram, but I have not posted in over six months. I consider myself a rather passive social media user. My time is usually spent aimlessly scrolling around. I do not make much of an effort to engage with anybody or anything. When I log off I often feel that it was time I could have spent better.

That said, I have considered making an account for my architectural work, but I am not convinced that its worth it. A new Instagram account means more of the same; annoying ads from companies you have no interest in and more wasted time.

I personally think you are better served using other channels such as reaching out directly to a potential client/customer then show your work via a nicely looking website.

We will see, I might change my mind in a month or two.

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Winter

Winter is not ideal for doing architectural photography, but at least one can do some research while waiting for warmer tempratures.

The building pictured above is James J. Hill House in Saint Paul MN, one of several historical buildings in this part of the city. I am looking forward to photographing it in the spring, and I wonder what I can get out if this building.

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Personal work

Just some personal work. Still architecture ;-)

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Sometimes things does not work out.

This is Minneapolis Central Library, a magnificent piece of modern architecture located downtown Minneapolis. I thought this view, with leading lines on both sides, would translate into a good photograph. However, something just does not work here. Hard to say what it is, but the image does not "grab" me. It might be too busy, too many elements competing for attention. Might give it another try.

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Some Tech Issues

This picture was taken at City Hall in Saint Paul MN. City Hall is a tricky space to photograph. The dim lighting in this building forces you to use longer exposure times, which inevitably leads to blown out highlights such as the lights in the ceiling. (very unappealing look)

I have yet to come up with a solid solution for this problem. Could use strobes of course, or maybe use layering and/or photo merge in Camera Raw/Lightroom?

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Personal Work.

just a quick post with some personal work that I am doing these days. Still architecture ;-)

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Interior Photography

A few weeks ago I photographed the exhibit space at White Bear Center for the Arts in White Bear Lake. Have to admit that interior photography is challenging, in a good way. Its difficult to make the composition work in a given space. and you can't move anything but your camera position.

In any case, I will be doing more in the weeks ahead if I can get access to the places I approached.