30 September 2013
Lens:
1. Reflections, ISE Building, UD Campus, iPhone 4s, September 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
2. Atrium, ISE Building, UD Campus, iPhone 4s, September 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
Let me know which is your favorite and why.
Pens:
If you’d like to join the fun, please click here for details. If you have any questions about the Phoneography Challenge, please contact me.
It’s autumn and the light is rearranging its magic. I decided to watch its path as it shed its beams inside the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) Building on UD campus. The use of large swaths of glass allows light to produce attentive-getting reflections. Or fills spaces with radiance.
The sun adds volumes to a building that is infused with stunning architectural features. As a research center this building has the inner workings that faculty, students and visiting scholars need to inspire great work. The physical structure is a bonus lending itself to creativity through minimalism. I am inspired simply walking through the space.
In this structure the confluence of nature and human nature are obvious. The architecture allows the inside to meld with the outside. Nature zooms into classrooms and hallways, atriums and stairwells.
It reminded me that Andy Goldsworthy’s and Frank Lloyd Wright’s work crosses over into each others’ territory. Goldsworthy (British, 1956- ), who is a land artist, an environmentalist, a photographer and a sculptor, is very much an architectural artist. Wright (American, 1867-1959) was an architect, educator, interior designer and writer, who had a reverence for nature and often worked his designs around the natural landscape.
Outdoor Sculpture, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University, by Andy Goldsworthy
Fallingwater, Pennsylvania, 1935, by Frank Lloyd Wright
These two mainstays are examples from last century and this one that architecture is a human invention that was inspired by the physical universe. That’s not a new concept, but I like to remind myself that when there is collaboration and sensitivity to each, then the result is powerful.
As important, nature is spared intrusion. Humans are given nourishing and nurturing spaces in which to thrive.
To me Mother Nature is the quintessential architect and artist. She combines each to give us much to mimic, much to interpret. We in turn have been quite successful at seeing through her lens, and responding with our own creativity.
In the Lens section are two images that show how nature flows with gentility through the ISE Building. This interaction brings its architectural features to the forefront, and makes for a more congenial space in which to innovate, learn and work.
Tip of the Week: I believe deeply and strongly that exposure to a range of artists’ work will help me evolve as a photographer. Since I do not limit myself to photography, I try to view other photographers’ works often. Recently, I found architectural photographer Mabry Campbell’s Website and cannot take my eyes off his images, which inspire and motivate me to notice even more closely the magnificence of human ingenuity. View his work here.
Grand Porthole at Triangeln, 2012, by Mabry Campbell
View other entries for today’s challenge:
http://weliveinaflat.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/singapore-changi-airport/
http://thepalladiantraveler.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-street/
http://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-street-photography/
http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/in-the-wonderland/
http://stevemcp2002.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-architecture/
http://streetsofsfphotos.com/2013/09/30/garage-doors-2-5-photos/
http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/09/30/iphoneography-monday-9-30-13/
http://ohmsweetohmdotme.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-monday-challengers-choice-2/
http://amarnaik.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-architecture/
http://watchingthephotoreels.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-2/
http://rfljenksy.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/1st-impressions-nepal/
Note: As always I welcome any comment about this post or any part of my blog. If you want to read more about Andy Goldsworthy, click here to view my post about his work that is site-specific in San Francisco.
Here’s a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming Phoneography Challenges:
1st Monday: Nature
2nd Monday: Macro
3rd Monday: Black-and-White
4th and 5th Mondays: Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
Lens and Pens by Sally 
Wonderful Light and shadow~
Love it .
Thanks for the comment and visit.
And thanks for that introduction to the impressive work of Mabry Campbell, who I see lives in Houston.
You’re welcome. He work is inspirational.
Your statement that “architecture is a human invention that was inspired by the physical universe” reminds me that the capitals (uppermost sections) of some types of ancient Egyptian and Greek columns were imitations of forms from nature. For example, the scrolls in an Ionic capital might have been inspired by shells or horns, and the Corinthian capital is decidedly leafy:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/greek-architecture-doric-ionic-or-corinthian.html
Closer to our era, Art Nouveau drew most of its inspiration from natural forms.
Absolutely, Art Nouveau is one one my favorite periods. Visited many European cities with examples, but Nancy, France, which is a favorite, exudes this period. Longing to see Antonia Gaudi’s work in person. Thanks.
I’ve never been to Nancy, but in the summer of 1985 I spent two three-week periods in Barcelona, during which I visited the Parc Güell, the Sagrada Família, and some other works by Gaudí. He’s a hero to the Catalans.
Yes, Barcelona is the place that calls me. Lucky you–the city must have opened your internal and external eye.
Can’t choose- both fabulous.
Cindy, thanks so much.
both are interesting in the study of light 🙂
Thanks, enjoy the rest of the week.
Love the way you describe light and nature interacting with the physical architecture of the building. It is so important to be in buildings that inspire us as we work.
Yes, as a duo architecture and nature can make such a difference to the learning environment. Thanks.
Fun play with light, shadows, patterns and structures. My favourite would be the one of reflections in the ISE Building. I just love the soft mood it creates and the way you have made an unusual composition. It’s almost as if it holds a bit of an enigma.
Otto, thanks there were reflections after reflection, but that one was the most captivating. Thanks.
That was hard: first choice Atrium, second fav: Grand Porthole and third: Outdoor Sculpture. You are just brilliant with that phone.
Frances, enjoy your trips back and forth to NYC. Thanks so much.
Hi Sally,
happy Monday. my favorite is the atrium. below is my entry for this week.
http://amarnaik.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-architecture/
thanks for sharing Mabry Campbell’s Website. It is indeed great place to be. my benchmark has increased.
Thank you.
Magnificent structures! Love the Fallingwater. A dream view outside my window. Best wishes to you and your family.
Oh, I agree. I’ve wanted to visit Fallingwater for years. His work astounds. Happy week to you.
I love the curves and light in your second photo, Sally. Here is my entry for this week’s challenge: http://wp.me/p24idL-1Hy
Allan, thanks, and happy Phoneography Monday.
Can’t choose between the two pictures: both are beautiful in a stark and startling way. I wonder if the students will ever really “see” the building.
I hope that they appreciate it. Thanks.
What wonderful spaces, I really like your theme of light flowing through man-made structures and the architecture. I chose architecture today as well: http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/09/30/iphoneography-monday-9-30-13/
Thanks, and happy Phoneography Monday.
Sally — The link you provided to my post just takes the reader to one of the photos. Could you update the link to this: http://thepalladiantraveler.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-street/
Thanks!
Done, sometimes I’m surprised that I figured out how to do any of this stuff. See you soon.
I especially like the first pictures – the shadows are nearly another picture that fall over the actual objects. Really fantastic.
Thank you, I appreciate the comment.
You found great places to take this pictures. The shadows are amazing, creates interesting lines and spaces.
Patricia, thanks, the building is an inspiration.
I like the first one as it’s all straight lines and uniform.
Here’s my first entry ever:
http://stevemcp2002.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-architecture/
Steve, delighted to have you join the challenge. Have fun. Thanks.
I really like the first photo the most, the light and lines and shadows attract me. I absolutely love your words on the building’s minimalism inspiring creativity, I think this is so true in general. Another wonderful post.
I’ve added my entry: http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-the-architecture-of-san-franciscos-moma/
Angeline, thanks so much, enjoy the week.
I prefer the first for the strong contrast from alternating pattern of light and shadow.
Thank you, the light cast such strong shadows.
Sally — Frame #2 gets my vote this week. More of the architectural theme on display, and you were able to hold it together well shooting into the sunlight slightly diffused by the stylish windows above. As promised, he’s my stab at Street Phoneography: Going Postal — http://thepalladiantraveler.com/2013/09/30/phoneography-challenge-street/
Thanks, and enjoy your days exploring your newly-anointed European city life.
I too believe that it is necessary to expose yourself to all genres of photography to be the best you can be. Lovely work this week.
Laurie, thanks.
I like them both but for different reasons. They both have wonderful shadows and shapes but since the shapes are angular in the first and curved in the second, they appeal differently.
janet
Janet, thanks, and enjoy the week.