Symmetry & When To Use It
One of my favorite compositional tools. It creates order, balance, strength – when used with intention. When not, it can create an image that feels stale and boring. So, when does it work? Here are a few examples of when you might want to consider symmetry. Lateral symmetry Think of it like folding a book […]
Private Photwalks Recap | Fall 2023
Typically, I do these photowalk recaps individually but things have been a little crazy lately so I decided on a couple of things. There are a couple of reasons for this. So, I decided the iPhone would free me up to maybe see things a bit differently and use it as a sort of sketch […]
Chicago Commission
I was recently commissioned to shoot 12 properties around Chicago for a real estate compliance company. They were looking for detailed/abstracted takes on their properties for marketing purposes. Always fun when my typical approach to shooting architecture is appreciated by companies like this. And a fun opportunity to shoot some buildings I may not have […]
Contrasts – Shadow vs Light
Contrasts are one of my favorite themes to look for when making images. There are many to consider – old/new, warm/cool, smooth/rough, and today we’ll discuss shadow/light. Subtle Variations It can be subtle and can take a very straightforward image that might be dull in flat lighting conditions more interesting. In this shot, I’ve centered […]
Carbide and Carbon Building
On this freezing cold day, I decided to continue the procrastination on something I’ve been meaning to do for years and is especially top of mind lately. Why? A couple of reasons – this thing is new, I don’t entirely know where or how to begin, and we had sun for the first time in […]
Photo Series | Triptychs
I’ve discussed photo series a few times on this blog and in webinars. Soon, I’ll cover this topic for the 2023 Out of Chicago LIVE! Conference. Both, in a free photo challenge (on Jan 24, at noon) and then more comprehensively during the conference on February 5. So, if this topic interests you, sign up […]
Using Shadows to Enhance Your Architectural Images
One of my favorite architectural subjects is shadows. Of course, you need some source of light. The sun being the most obvious, but artificial light works too. Just keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities. Let’s dive into a few ways to incorporate shadows into your architectural shots. Shadows as the main subject In these […]
Using Contrast to Improve Your Architectural Images
This week, let’s talk about a simple way to improve your architectural images: contrast. If you want more compositions and retouching tips, check out our Tips + Tricks post category. We regularly write about different ways to create stronger compositions, as well as post-processing techniques. Contrast can be as simple a dark vs bright. Using […]
The Guggenheim, one of the best architectural locations in New York City
One of our favorite locations in New York City, an in general, is the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum is on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, right next to Central Park. While it’s not the most accessible location, it’s worth the trip, for both the art and the architecture. You’ll […]
Student Images from our 2020 Miami Workshop
Last week, we shared our own images from the Miami Workshop. This week, we wanted to showcase our students’ work, as they got some great shots during the workshop. After each workshop, we do a critique session online, and it’s always a treat to see what everyone shot. Caren Mlot It was Caren’s first workshop […]
