Architecture features immensely in my photography, not just because it was part of my art studies as a youth but because I am inspired by shapes and forms that are created by buildings. Of course, this is piggy-backing on the creativity of the architect….
I try to see these classic landmarks from different perspectives where possible. The view from this canopy made a wonderful frame for the Seattle Space Needle and a harsh monochrome treatment emphasises the shapes. I used a similar technique for the view from the Cavenagh Bridge in Singapore.
There are also images to be found from the top of tall buildings – the shadow of The Shard pointing to the Thames intrigued me. And staying with the Shard, the observation platform at the top presented these angles of glass, metal and blue sky.
I took many images of the tallest building in the world but I prefer this view. It was taken through the windows of a walkway with the sun burning behind the Burj Khalifa. It was a failed, overexposed shot but I felt something interesting could be made from it in the darkroom.
Just nearby, the Address Hotel presented a more traditional image.
The Willis -formerly the Sears Tower – in Chicago was once the tallest building in the world and, as they all do, presents a challenge to capture in the camera viewfinder. It was not a spectacular day but giving it a monochrome treatment helped embolden the imposing dark block design.
The view from the observation platform looks down on the other tall skyscrapers.
Still in Chicago, a night view of the skyline and, on the right, the Trump Tower.
My last image was captured in 1998 in New York on a film camera. I liked the angle and the flag but the quality was poor and could not be improved to make it clearer- but it could be improved by enhancing the graininess and removing most of the colour.
my digital darkroom 