Photography and Architecture: A Symbiotic Relationship
It's fascinating to consider how deeply intertwined architecture and photography have been since the very beginning. The first ever photograph, though a blurry impression of buildings, perfectly illustrates this connection. It was captured using a camera obscura, a darkened room where light passing through a small hole projects an inverted image onto the opposite wall. The subject of that initial image was, fittingly, other buildings, seen through a window frame.
Early photographic processes, which required incredibly long exposure times, naturally favored stationary subjects. Buildings, unlike people, could "sit" for the hours needed to etch an image onto the plate. This inherent characteristic meant that architecture became a frequent subject for pioneering photographers.
Over time, as photographic technology advanced, the ability to capture human subjects became feasible. However, even then, people had to remain perfectly still. This is a stark contrast to contemporary architectural photography, where the focus has shifted to capturing the dynamic, unexpected life within and around buildings. Modern photographers are constantly on the move, observing how structures interact with their surroundings and how people inhabit new spaces. Whether it's capturing a city in its battered state after a natural disaster from a helicopter, or observing everyday activities like a dog pulling a man on a walk, the emphasis is on the lived experience of architecture.
This idea of mobility and human interaction highlights the crucial role photography plays in architectural study. Many buildings are difficult to access or view in their natural context, and some are even private. Photographs, however, allow us to "visit" countless structures, acting as stand-ins for physical presence. This reliance on photography allows architects to communicate their design intentions and has led to certain photographers becoming synonymous with specific architectural movements.
Historically, there have been different approaches to photographing architecture. Some photographers meticulously staged their shots, arranging every detail from lighting to human models to convey a specific narrative of affluence and leisure through design. These images were often highly constructed, creating a voyeuristic view into an exclusive world. Others took a more abstract and heroic approach, transforming modest structures into monumental works of art through careful composition and attention to detail. Every element, from the angle of an open window to the way logs were stacked, was considered.
However, architectural preferences evolved. There was a shift away from making the ordinary seem extraordinary, towards appreciating the inherent beauty of the everyday. This led to a more straightforward, unglamorous style of photography, where the goal was to capture reality without staging or excessive editing. The intention was often to break away from traditional photographic conventions, to take pictures that looked uncomposed, even "screwy," but intentionally so.
This appreciation for the unplanned and everyday has even influenced architectural design itself. Some contemporary architectural firms begin their design process not with a blank slate, but with an existing photograph. They use collage techniques to reinterpret famous architectural images, erasing or coloring parts to imply new forms and possibilities. The resulting buildings often maintain the abstraction of these collages, creating structures that are dependent on their context and engage with their surroundings in unique ways.
Furthermore, the relationship between architects and photographers is evolving. Instead of simply commissioning photographers to make a house look "perfect" or "heroic," some architects are collaborating with artists who reinterpret their buildings in their own unique styles. This approach explicitly acknowledges the photographer's voice as a co-author, presenting multiple points of view of the same buildings and challenging conventional notions of architectural representation. This can lead to surprising and engaging results, from grainy night shots to comic book-style images, and even elaborate staged scenes with actors that engage with the building's colors and forms.
In essence, photography is not just a tool for documenting architecture; it's an integral part of how we understand, consume, and even design buildings. It shapes our perception and allows us to experience architecture in ways that transcend physical presence.