Architecture and photography share a captivating dance. Both disciplines capture the world around us but through distinct lenses. The architect, taking on the role of a sculptor, meticulously crafts a space. They conduct a symphony of elements, considering how light will play in melody with how people will flow through the designated areas, and how functionality and aesthetics will intertwine to create a cohesive and purposeful whole. The architect envisions not just a building, but a sensory journey, a space that evokes emotions and inspires interaction. They design an experience, a symphony of elements that combine into a whole.
The photographer, on the other hand, becomes the interpreter of this symphony, translating this crafted environment into a two-dimensional frame, striving to capture not just the visual details, but the essence, the emotional impact, of the project. They are the storytellers who weave a narrative about the space, using light, shadow, composition, and perspective to reveal hidden dimensions that might escape the naked eye. Their lens becomes a magnifying glass for the soul of the building, drawing attention to the subtle details – the play of light on a textured wall, the way shadows dance across a curved surface, the warmth emanating from a strategically placed window – that collectively orchestrate the emotional response the architect envisioned.
The photographer doesn’t merely document; they curate a visual experience that transcends the physical and taps into the emotional core of the space. Like a final silver lining that illuminates the entire composition, the photographer’s capture elevates the architect’s design from a blueprint to a breathing entity, a space that resonates with the viewer on a deeper level.
Lucien Hervé
This interplay becomes particularly fascinating when examining the work of Le Corbusier, a pioneer of Modernism. His buildings, characterised by clean lines, geometric forms, and a focus on function, embodied a specific architectural philosophy. Yet, photographs of his structures often revealed a hidden dimension: the human experience within the vast spaces. Lucien Hervé, was a Hungarian-born French photographer who rose to prominence as one of the 20th century’s greatest architectural photographers.
Hervé possessed a distinct style characterised by:
- Elevated Perspectives: He frequently utilised different views, offering a comprehensive understanding of the spatial relationships within a structure.
- Dynamic Angles: He incorporated oblique angles to create dynamic compositions that challenged the typical head-on perspective.
- Emphasis on Form: A sense of austerity pervaded his work, with a focus on clean lines and geometric shapes that highlighted the architectural elements.
- Abstraction as a Tool: Hervé occasionally employed abstraction to emphasise specific details or draw attention to the interplay of light and shadow within a space.
Influenced by German expressionist cinema and the Bauhaus, his images are characterised by marked contrasts and abstraction. This unique style set him apart from his contemporaries and garnered him recognition as Le Corbusier’s official photographer until the architect’s death in 1965. Hervé’s masterful lens captured the play of light within the stark concrete interiors, highlighting the textural details that Le Corbusier might have left unspoken. His photographs introduced a sense of intimacy, bringing the monumental down to a human scale.
Hélène Binet
Hélène Binet is an architectural photographer renowned for her ability to capture the essence of a design. Her philosophy centres on revealing the hidden dimensions of space by using light, shadow, and texture to arouse emotion and tell a story. Setting her apart from other photographers, Binet delves a step deeper, she captures the atmosphere and the experience a building has to offer.
Binet’s photographs are an orchestra of light, shadow, and texture. She wields natural light with a maestro’s touch, highlighting specific textures and details that weave a narrative of depth and intrigue. Darkness isn’t shunned; it becomes another instrument in her visual composition, adding drama and a touch of mystery. Texture takes centre stage in her work. Through close-up shots and a discerning eye, Binet showcases the tactility of material, be it the smooth coolness of polished stone or the rough, layered tapestry of concrete. This focus on texture transcends mere documentation; it’s an invitation. Binet invites the viewer to imagine inhabiting the space, to feel the coolness of stone beneath their feet, or the warmth radiating from a sun-drenched wall. Her photographs become a sensory experience, transporting the viewer into the heart of the architect’s creation.
Capturing the Essence of Peter Zumthor’s Architecture:
Binet’s collaboration with the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor is a beautiful example of her emotional interplay in action. Zumthor is known for his focus on “atmospheres,” a teaching that explains how to design spaces that evoke specific emotions through materiality and light.
Binet’s photographs of Zumthor’s projects, particularly the Thermal Baths in Vals, Switzerland, perfectly capture this essence. Her photographs don’t simply depict the imposing stone structure. Instead, they showcase the play of light filtering through the steam-filled interior, highlighting the rough texture of the layered stone walls. We can almost imagine the sensation of walking barefoot on the cool stones and the warmth radiating from the baths. Through her masterful use of light and texture, Binet translates Zumthor’s philosophy of “atmospheres” into a visual experience, allowing the viewer to feel the tranquillity and serenity the architect intended.
Zaha Hadid’s Futuristic Visions Brought to Life:
Binet’s collaboration with Zaha Hadid, the architect known for her dynamic designs, reveals another face of her remarkable talent. The architect’s designs, characterised by their curves and unconventional forms, often equate to sculptures. Binet gives a new dimension to these sculptures in her photographs. In the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, she employs dramatic lighting and unexpected angles to accentuate the sculptural qualities of the architecture. By doing so, her photographs allow us to appreciate the intricate details and the dynamic flow of space within these seemingly futuristic creations. Binet doesn’t simply document the buildings; she invites the viewer on a journey to explore the hidden depths and movement embedded within Hadid’s architectural vision. However, Binet doesn’t simply focus on the abstract forms. By strategically including figures within the frame, she reminds us that these are not just abstract sculptures, but spaces designed to be inhabited. In this way, Binet breathes life into Hadid’s futuristic visions, showcasing their functionality and connection to the human experience.
Through her understanding of the behaviour of light, shadow, and texture, she gives a lens to the hidden dimensions of architecture, the atmospheres, and the emotions a building evokes. Binet’s photographs don’t just document buildings; they invite viewers to experience them, feel the textures, imagine the sounds, and ultimately, connect with the space on a deeper level.
Berenice Abbott
“The camera alone can catch the
swift surfaces of the cities today and
speaks a language intelligible to all.”
~Berenice Abbott
Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) transcended the role of a mere architectural photographer. She became a chronicler of New York City in metamorphosis during its most dynamic transformation in the 1930s. While her career encompassed various photographic pursuits, her most impactful work captured the raw energy and stark contrasts of a metropolis undergoing a dramatic reconstruction. Unlike her contemporaries who often emphasised grandeur, Abbott portrayed the city’s unvarnished essence, a place where the old and the new existed in a state of creative tension.
Abbott’s approach to architectural photography was deeply rooted in documentation. She wasn’t interested in romanticising the city or highlighting its architectural marvels. Instead, she aimed to create a historical record, capturing the juxtaposition of the old and the new, the elegance of brownstones against the imposing rise of skyscrapers.
Her photographs were characterised by a few key elements:
- Straight Photography: She embraced the “straight photography” movement, avoiding manipulation and embracing the inherent beauty of the unadulterated image.
- Emphasis on Form and Geometry: Abbott highlighted the clean lines and geometric shapes of the burgeoning skyscrapers, creating a sense of order amidst the chaos of construction.
- Play with Perspective: She experimented with perspective, often employing unusual angles that challenged the viewer’s perception of the cityscape.
- Inclusion of Human Elements: While architecture was her primary focus, Abbott occasionally included figures within the frame, subtly hinting at the human impact of the city’s transformation.
Through her stark yet captivating images, she offered a social commentary on the rapid transformation of New York City. Her work captured the city’s raw energy, the displacement of the old by the new, and the human aspect of a metropolis in flux. Today, her photographs serve not only as a historical record but also as a poignant reminder of the city’s ever-evolving landscape.
