Circles and Straight Lines

In photography, we work as one part of a close collaboration with light, intent on transcending the two dimensionality of a traditional image.  We use it to show moments of beauty that we take for granted, or to express thoughts or emotions we’ve attached to subjects, showing their sublime quality.

Aspen Fire Station HQ by Studio B Architects
© Raul J Garcia

Franktown Ranch by Sexton Lawton Architecture
©Raul J Garcia

Light is all-giving.  It creates color, visual texture, drama.  And if we’re lucky, we come to discover that we’re getting to see the world on it’s terms.

Above all we use it to try and tell a story or part of a story, in a way that hopefully avoids some of the pitfalls all photographers are prone to (such as being heavy-handed), or descriptions like bland, commonplace, boring or pretentious.  I’ve been fortunate enough to meet, and photograph the work of, wonderful designers who embrace this natural beauty.

Chapel of St. Ignatius by Steven Holl
©Raul J Garcia

Fitzsimons Credit Union by Groundworks Design
©Raul J Garcia

Until now, I haven’t shared much in the way of great images by photographers who inspire me with their own use of light, not to mention their composition. But most of all, their style & vision.  That’ll change today starting with this gorgeous shot from the blog of my mega-talented friend Dave Lehl:

©Dave Lehl

For this first entry of my new blog, something completely new and overdue for me, I wondered how to get going.

While preparing for our first shoot of 2012, I looked out the window of my office and was struck by a renewed sense of appreciation that I am surprised by every year.  I’ve learned that winter in Colorado for an architectural photographer can certainly have it’s quiet times.  Much more so than at any other time of year.  And in the wake of  how extremely busy 2011 was, with it’s frequent 20-hour days and adrenaline-fueled deadlines, the silence can seem truly deafening.  Then again, it doesn’t take long to realize that there are opportunities to revisit things that might have been overlooked during the busier times, or that are unique to the December thru February months.  And though there are days when I think I’d give anything for a beautiful 85 degree day, there is a different kind of energy that just doesn’t exist during the summer.  And it starts with the winter daylight (a beautifully warm, rich, soft and low cross-light) that reconnects you with a landscape at rest.

Nature never stops, and while what’s in front of us may appear brown and dead, there is a peaceful quality of life in even that.  And with envy, and gratitude, I realize that nature never stops producing beauty.  It could serve well, to strive toward becoming more like it in that way.