ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY/ RESEARCH

Guggenheim Museum, New York

Ezra Stoller

Static objects such as buildings and portraits were popular in early photography since only long exposures were possible, people were often posed with wires to hold them in position.

As photography advanced, other subjects became possible and architecture developed into a genre in its own right.

The most common form of architectural photography used today, is the photo in an estate agents window.  Often badly composed, with poor exposure, taken with an automatic digital camera, it is used only as a basic guide to a property.  However, for the sale of prestige properties, a professional photographer will be used to show the exterior and interior off to the best advantage.

Ezra Stoller was an early American architectural photographer whose interest in photography began whilst studying architecture at New York University, after his graduation in 1939 he concentrated on photography and one of his most famous pictures is that of Fallingwater, a property in Pensylvannia America, designed by Frank LLoyd Wright.

Ezra Stoller

architectural interior shot

He was considered America's leading architectural photographer and many architects did not consider their buildings to be complete until they had been 'Stollerized'.  Working with great architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohn, Alvar Aalto, Marcel Breuer and many others his photographs are now regarded as fine art with prints and portfolios in many museum collections.  His pictures influenced many modern architects and through them, introduced and popularised modern architecture to the general population. 



Here details in the window embellishment and wavy tiled surrounds act as leading lines into the picture, echoed by the sweeping curve of the roofline giving a great sense of scale and depth.

Details are as important as a wider panoramic shot, shine on the bannister rail gives us information about the texture whilst the curving lines add dynamism and lead the eye around the whole picture.

"Photography is space, light, texture, of course, but the really important element is time.  That nanosecond when the image organises itself on the ground glass".  He would sometimes wait for days if necessary for the perfect conditions in which to capture the image.

This was something that I took from Edward Swinden's the street photographers lecture, he said he often returned to a location many times in order to capture an interesting event in the correct conditions.

Here a large pillar takes the gaze up to the sweep of the roof almost echoing the sweep of a wing, adding to the image of a light and airy interior which you want to go into to explore.

I love the dynamism of this shot with verical lines adding to the feeling of  lofty hight and the diagonals making for a tight composition.

Here the wooden flooring leads you into the room with light on the rear wall making you wonder what is around the corner.



Here people add scale to this lofty interior, with the curved organic lines making it feel less institutional and leading your gaze futher into the distance.  Edward Swindens pictures are reminiscint of the patches of dark and light with people highlighted as the main point of interest.

Edward Swinden

Most of Ezra Stoller's photography was in black and white using a large format camera and the company he founded in 1966, Esto Photographics still represents many architects today, since his death in 2004, it is now operated by his daughter.

Interior of Gallerie Umberton 1, Naples Italy - Lesley Gooding

This was such an impressive open space after the streets of Naples, people add scale while the ascending arches lead your eye up to the dome above.

Exterior of Church of St Francis of Paola, Piazza Plebiscito, Naples Italy - Lesley Gooding

Using pillars and arches from Pompei as inspiration, these covered walkways form an impressive framing to the church and make a dramatic photograph, with strong sunlight echoing the shape and form on the ground.

Galleried entrance to Duomo, Amalfi Italy - Lesley Gooding

The line of pillars lead you into this picture with pattern adding to the interest on the floor and echoed in the decorated window openings.  Light coming in from the right highlights the texture of the marble flooring.

Sources - New York Times (online newspaper)
                Lumiere Gallery.net
                Artnet.com
                Esto.com/ezrastoller