Assessment 1A: A contemporary building with an expressive massing thanks to the use of shadows and light
Shadows and light is an effective tool that can be used in photography. A city is usually represented as a bright and lively area, which can be seen through photographs I’ve taken of structures in the city. Architectural photographer Hélène Binet has influenced me through her photography; particularly through the aspects of reflecting light through a structure. Binet’s photography strategically uses natural light and shadow in her frames by photographing images where light comes through small areas of a structure to also make sections more distinct than other parts that would be hidden in shadows.
The images that I have taken present light against a building as well as light peeking through areas within the structures. My chosen images effectively frame a way of depicting the city through the technique of lights and shadow, where light against the buildings gives the building a captivating look as well as a more lively presence.
My images also portray how we read architecture through the technique of using reflective light. In figure 1 and 3, it shows how the sun hits the colourful glass and therefore reflecting these colours onto the building. This depicts the building with a vibrant sense which is contrasted to figure 2 where there is no light that hits the glass, hence giving it a duller look.
Additionally, by taking photos of the inside of a building from a worm’s-eye view, one can see the variety of lines and shapes that appear to be stacked together at that angle, with the light highlighting some of the features of the inside and darkening other parts. Techniques such as reflected light and shadow successfully gives an expressive look on the architecture of the city which is regarded as an energetic and upbeat area.
References:
- Hélène Binet: Fragments of Light, 2015, viewed on 24th March 2016, http://www.archdaily.com/588698/helene-binet-fragments-of-light
- “Constructing Worlds”, architecture in the eyes of photography, 2015, viewed on 26th March 2016, http://www.bmiaa.com/constructing-worlds-architecture-in-the-eyes-of-photography/
- Hélène Binet, 2016, viewed on 27th March 2016, http://www.helenebinet.com/photography/architects/daniel-libeskind.html
