Architectural photography: photography, as a method of appreciation of three dimensional architectural phenomina by two dimensional visual language

Abstract

The term "Photography" is defined to be the re-creation of the three dimensional universe on a two- dimensional surface using light as the medium. In this re-creating process, identification of the three dimensional aspects and the characteristics of the objective is essentially important. When the objective becomes a creation of another creator, it is of great importance to have a sound understanding of the work. Especially in a subject like Architectural Photography such understanding should be made carefully and sensitively, as the term 'Architecture' initially intends a feeling of quality rather than mere talking about physical form of a building. Over the years, different kinds of definitions have been interpreted by various people, what Architecture is. The Swedish architect and theorist Elias Cornell defined architecture as 'The aesthetic organization of practical reality'. The English Arts and Crafts architect and theorist W. Lethaby wrote in 1891: '...so is building but the vehicle of architecture which is the thought behind form, embodied and realized for the purpose of its manifestation and transmission'. Or we call that architecture is the built environment with aesthetically and spiritually stimulating space and form. However behind all these concepts, it enhance that the built environment is something which speaks to our senses, emotions and minds which articulate by simply experiencing it. Appreciation of architecture is a matter not only of relaying information, but also to observing its grand aspirations and imaging its real qualities, make philosophies and extract the realistic frame work of what it really projects etc.. Photographing the architectural buildings and publishing is one of the ways that makes the public familiar with Architecture. Often, it is through the printed page that critic and the public alike becomes familiar with these structures. Our ideas and reactions that is often come not only from the actual building, but also from photographs of it. Some times, the photographs will reinforce, negate, or otherwise shape images we have constructed from our own direct impressions of Architecture. At the same time it suggested way in which those buildings might be observed and appreciated.