Photograph your own living place

We all have learned that the better we know a place or a person, the easier it is to make good images of that place or that person. That is why Ansel Adams was able to make outstanding images of Yosemite. Serious landscape photographers always take time to get familiar with the "place" before they begin to photograph. Usually the nice pictures that I make while traveling with limited time, are "postcards" when compared with fine art photographs The lasting quality of an image is based on content. which is achieved through much effort. Having learned the way to make good photographs, we should keep it in mind during our photographic practice.

The question is: "Where is the place you know the best?" And the answer is: "Your own city or town." Philosophically, you can make better images of the landscape or the architecture in your own area than can be made by travelers (visitors). Some people say that they live in a very boring city or town that is not photogenic. But the truth is that once you pay attention to and "see" its details, you will soon discover the existence of some beautiful subjects around yon. Plus, cities and towns never stand still. They continue to grow. For example, in architectural photography, even the plain looking new or old buildings can become very interesting and visually attractive photographic subjects during special weather or lighting conditions. The appearance of city architecture will also be changed by its age and environment, just like human portraits. In its unique line and form, art gives you endless chances for photography.

The Milwaukee Art Museum's addition is one of the symbols of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The addition was designed by a Spanish born architect, Santiago Calatrava, and was opened on May 4th, 2001. This dynamically designed structure soon became an outstanding subject to photograph. The challenge is how to photograph this building in a way that it will represent its outward appearance as more than just a "postcard."

Creating images of the Milwaukee Art Museum was my personal assignment. I tried to learn to see this fantastic artistic work of Mr. Calatrava whenever I drove or walked by. Sometimes, I would purposely stop there before sunrise or sunset, in windy or rainy weather, on cloudy or sunny days, during every season. I tried to find which environmental conditions would impress me more in my brain--the connection between the landscape and my emotions. To me, this ship like artistic construction shows greater force and motion at dawn. It gradually separates itself from the horizon in the dim light--a dark giant with its strong mast against the multicolored sky. On windy and cloudy days, it closes the wings to make the "ship" sail smoothly with greater stability, which makes it look like a submarine. On sunny days, it opens the wings for pleasant and speedy sailing Whatever the weather conditions, it always keeps all passengers (visitors) safe and happy while viewing the works of art within the ship (museum).

During the last two years, I made several images representing my pre-vision. I believe we will be happier with our photography if we take time to make images from our own town while attaching our own feelings to the places we know best.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Photographic Society of America, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group