It’s been a couple of years since I’ve explored Northwestern’s campus with my camera. This location can’t be beat, right on the lake with great trails and fantastic architecture! I also haven’t led a photowalk in quite a long time, about 2 years. With Covid, it was nice to have a few hours with others while shooting on this beautiful fall day.
Our first stop was the Perkins + Will designed Segal Visitor Center. The west side with a nice curve and the east side with its fins are my favorite part of the design. They not only look great but also hide the parking garage and provide ventilation. The design draws inspiration from and resembles sails of the boats bobbing in the lake just behind it. Black and white here, but also have the color versions since the white sails look great against the vivid blue sky (link for everything from the walk at the end of the post).
A very short walk north is the Ryan Center for Musical Arts by Goettsch Partners. A wide shot for context. I know, what’s happening to me?! Don’t get too excited, it’s the only building of the day I remembered to do this with.
The geometric shots were the most fun to create. Getting right up against the glass of the right side of the building and looking up. Always look up! A nice mini-series. Just love the vivid blue sky against the silver with a bit of warmth from the sun.
One more reflection shot…the combination of the lake and the building. Can’t miss out on a good nature vs manmade shot. Shooting into the sun on the lake makes for a higher drama perspective.
Onto my favorite building on campus, the Kellogg School of Management by KPMB Architects. The curves of this beauty make for so many amazing shots. Plus the blue of the sky and the lake reflecting in the glass contrasting with the warm wood…love! Beware, the indecision on my favorites and what to share…
First a little combo between those curves and lines.
This is one building I pretty much prefer in color because of the color contrasts. But, you know I gotta do some black & white. Where you focus your attention just changes. So, it really just depends what you’re in the mood for or what you most prefer to focus on with the design.
On the flip side, the brutalist University Library I prefer in black & white. The concrete and the texture of this building are emphasized with this type of processing. Plus, there’s just something about this style of design that lends itself well to BW…just of a different era.
It still has its appeal in color when the sun warms the concrete and it plays against the vivid blue sky. So, here’s one for a little comparision.
If you feel compelled to explore the depth of my indecision, you can see everything from the photowalk here 🙂
