Shutter Mike Photography

I had the opportunity to do some architectural photography of Ironwood Hall at Chandler Gilbert Community College in Candler, AZ recently.  The building was designed by the Tempe, AZ based architectural studio Architekton.  It is an LEED Silver building that serves as classroom, lecture hall, ceramic studio and office space for the community college.  It is also a great building  to photograph.  The colors, lines and geometry not only make it a great work of architecture but make capturing it in photographs fun.

Although I don’t utilize it to its full potential as I should, I think Twitter is a great resource for connecting to other photographers.  You can find fellow photographers whose work you may never have had the opportunity to even be aware of before.  For me, as I continually try to define and improve my style, the chance to see the work of other photographers of all styles and levels in invaluable.  So as I come across photographers that I particularly find myself drawn to I think it is a good idea to share and spread their art.  My most recent Twitter discover is Dastodd Photography.  He is a Chicago based photographer that has some fantastic night scenes as well as travel photography from India that showcases the country’s colors and culture very well.  Check out his online portfolio.

I have always been a big fan of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.  Living in the Phoenix area I am privileged to be in close proximity to several of Wrights works including Gammage Auditorium and the winter home to his Taliesin School of Architecture as well as Wright inspired buildings such as the Arizona Biltmore and the First Christian Church.  The Holy Grail of Wright architecture (in my opinion), Falling Water in Pennsylvania still eludes me, but it is at the top of my “bucket list.”  However, on my recent trip to New York City I did make my way to the Upper East Side to see one of Wrights greatest public buildings, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on 5th Avenue.  This is iconic New York architecture right up there with the Empire State Building that most everyone recognizes.  It’s circles and curves fall right in line with Wright’s practice of “organic architecture.”  Even if you don’t make it into the museum, which I unfortunately did not on this trip, the lively scenes on the sidewalk out front, Central Park across the street, and awe inspiring architecture are worth hopping the 4, 5, or 6 train to the Upper East Side.