My photographs in AIA 2008 Final Program

I was pleased to see that ten of my images of Boston architecture were included in the AIA 2008 Final Program handed out to all convention attendees. I also saw several of my photographs in books and in my clients promotional materials available at the exhibition.

Here are two of my photographs that were used in the program.

ASMP at AIA National Convention

This year I was a volunteer at the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) exhibit at the AIA convention in Boston. ASMP member photographers were on hand to pass out free copies of the AIA-ASMP collaborative booklet titled "Commissioning Architectural Photography". The 20 page booklet covers selecting a photographer, estimating, controlling costs, licensing images and a photography preparation checklist. We passed out many copies of the booklet and spoke with architects and marketing people about tips for a successful photo shoot and about ASMP member photographers who also had a gallery of prints at the show.

www.asmp.org

AIA 2008 National Convention and Exhibition in Boston May 15-17

This year the AIA will hold it's national convention in Boston. I hope you will have the time to attend and take in all the city has to offer.

I will attend as a volunteer member representative of the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). ASMP will have have an informational exhibit booth (# 14198) to share with architects some of the documents they have created in conjunction with the AIA to help organize successful photography projects. I will be present in the exhibit Thursday May 15, from 2:30-5 p.m. to answer any questions you may have about how to organize a successful photography project and ASMP. Please stop by and say hello when you pick up a free copy of ASMP's new booklet "Commissioning Architectural Photography".

Andy

http://www.asmp.org

http://www.aiaconvention.com/live/61

A visit to Fallingwater

Recently I traveled to Pennsylvania on an assignment and recalled my past visit to "Fallingwater" the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home for Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. in 1935. It is located about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Bear Run in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains of PA. It is a spectacularly sited project that is deserving of all its accolades. To learn more about visiting this iconic masterpiece visit the official website:

http://www.paconserve.org/43/fallingwater

Above is a photograph from my visit.

Andy

Stoller and Shulman Photographs at Addison Gallery

I just saw these two photography exhibits at the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy, Andover, MA.

http://www.andover.edu/addison/exhibition/2008-Winter/Stollerized.htm

The "Stollerized" exhibit is a small collection of 13 prints by noted architectural photographer Ezra Stoller which will run through March 23,2008.

Architectural photographer Julius Shulman's photographs are part of: "Birth of the Cool: California Art, Design and Culture at Midcentury" on exhibit until April 13, 2008 upstairs in the same gallery.

Stoller and Shulman are two of the most influential American architectural photographers, this is great opportunity to see these original images up close.

Very inspiring.

Andy

What makes a successful architectural photograph?

In my opinion most successful architectural photographs exhibit these four qualities, which I believe are all of equal importance:

Defined purpose
Point of view
Quality of light
Quality of execution

If you fail on any of these points your photograph will not successfully communicate to the viewer your objective or you will be limited in the scope of how the photographs can be used.

Defined purpose
You need to identify why you are photographing the subject. Are the photographs for your portfolio, a marketing campaign or to advertise a product or service? You need to communicate your purpose clearly to your photographer.

Point of view
You need to determine the best camera positions to convey that purpose. This is where a site walk through or scout of the location with the photographer is invaluable. Consider if there is a view that shows several features in one angle. Equally important, are there aspects to the project you do not wish to highlight?

Quality of light
When does the subject look the best? Is it in the morning or afternoon light or is it best at dawn or dusk? Is the natural and/or existing lighting sufficient or is it in need of supplemental lighting to make up for existing deficiencies or site limitations?

Quality of execution
With the proliferation of digital cameras and their built in programs it has become easier to make a “good” photograph. The question is when is “good” not good enough. Many people are not fully knowledgeable about their camera’s functions and further do not know how to process the camera’s auto-generated file for maximum quality.
The professional architectural photographer not only uses equipment capable of much higher resolution, they also use special lenses and supplemental lighting to capture an image that embodies your defined purpose. That image can be further refined through the use of specialty software and image processing techniques to maximize the success of the final photograph.

Among the many decisions you will need to make are: how important are these images to your defined purpose and will you have access to this subject again in its present condition?

Best of luck with your project and if you need any help I’d be happy to speak with you about it. Please visit my web site to see samples of my photography and the services I offer.

http://www.andycaulfield.com

Thanks for taking a look. Andy

My new web site

Today I launched my new architecture web site at: www.andycaulfield.com
I display many new images in categories such as commercial, residential, landscape, retail/hospitality, exhibit and photo retouching.

Also take a look at my "Home Sweet Home" portfolio where I've placed an eclectic mix of dwellings from my travels. Enjoy

Andy