Representing architecture : under a photographer’s gaze

Abstract

The aim of my study is to understand how photographers can represent architecture and if it is at all possible to do so over and above orthographic representations. The research also looks at how architects approach design, and if they keep in focus the question of the photogenic element in their designs. The subjects for this study were a number of architects and photographers where the latter specialised in architectural photography. The investigation involved the unravelling of thoughts and concepts during the interviews, in the quest to understand what architects really wanted from photographers and how they expected their work to be portrayed. The results did not support the expectations that I had for this research. Architects were not in favour of photography being the best representation of architecture. Photographers however respect architecture and seek to get as close a representation of buildings as possible. The final body of work is executed with the art of décollage which enacts the digging and peeling process into the architects’ psyche.