Mar 22, 2025 - Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about the items that run through my head as I’m taking photos of buildings and structures.  For me, it boils down to four “L” words - Look, Level, Light, and Lines.  I plan on making a short video about this, but wanted to comment on each one here.  First up is LOOK.  There is something about the building that initially caught my attention.  What is it?  Take a moment to look around the structure to zero in on the details.  Keep in mind, the building is stationary and isn’t moving anytime soon, so really look at what you’re shooting so can you capture the structure’s character.  Next is LEVEL.  As you pull the camera to your eye, is this a landscape/horizontal photo or will it be a portrait/vertical shot?  If the building is wider than taller, it should be a landscape.  If taller than wider, then a portrait.  All of this is true unless you’re honing in on a particular feature of the building (doors, windows, etc).  Next is LIGHT.  Consider the time of day/year, where the light is coming from, natural or man-made, and whether the light is above, behind, on the sides, in front, or behind you as the photographer.  All will have implications for how the light illuminates the structure.  Finally are the LINES.  All images have lines that lead the eye through an image.  Are they straight, curvy, vertical, or horizontal?   Do they create some sort of pattern or symmetry?   Try and capture how the lines accentuate the character of the building.  The four “L”s are a framework for shooting architecture that rattles through my mind and I look forward to discussing and exploring them in greater detail here on the site.  More to come!  

Mar 15, 2025 - I’ve been working on the website continuously for the past month or so, but I still have plenty of loose ends to take care of. However, I’m traveling over the next week, which will give me a good break and a pair of fresh eyes when I return. That will allow me a couple of weeks to make the final touches before I ‘officially’ communicate about the site’s existence. Speaking of which, if all goes as planned, I’m eyeing March 28, 2025 (my birthday!) as the ribbon cutting date. I’m excited to see how the site has taken shape, the many people I’ve interacted with already, the ideas that keep flowing, and the future plans I have for Architexturefotos. Stay tuned! Much more to come and will update the blog once I return from my travels.

Mar 12, 2025 - I created Architexturefotos because I love taking portraits of buildings and capturing their character. There’s something about this type of photography that resonates with me.  So what are my goals and what do I hope to achieve with the site?  (1) To capture the character of buildings showcasing the textures etched in their surfaces, (2) To connect with fellow photographers igniting a passion for architectural photography, (3) To create tutorials with tips, tricks, and techniques for photographing architecture, and (4) To cultivate an appreciation for architectural photography as a distinct and creative niche.  All of this is underscored with the tagline … ‘building stories, one frame at a time!’

Mar 9, 2025 - I’m still a few weeks away before I officially announce the new site.  In the meantime, I’m making good progress on its development.  Over the last week, I’ve edited the text on the Home and About pages and have expanded my Artful Angle section with more photographers (and still waiting to hear back from a few others).  Also, I’ve culled the number of photos on display in City Treasures (60 images), Local Gems (90 images), and Rural Charms (30 images) and have added a description and location to each.  One additional item I plan on adding to the site is a section called the ‘Structured Shot’ to provide short, concise, and actionable video tutorials regarding architectural photography and how I approach my images.  Much more to come, but I’m really pleased with how the site is taking shape.  In the meantime, I had a chance to get out and shoot yesterday morning.  Here’s an image of a great building just a few blocks from where I live.  Enjoy! 

Mar 5, 2025 - One of the exciting new features on the site is called Artful Angle, a curated, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative minds of some of my favorite photographers. Think of it as a virtual backstage pass, where we learn more about them and the motivations (what, where, why) behind one of their images.  My aim is to not only shine a spotlight on their artistry and technical skill, but also to build meaningful connections with photographers who have profoundly influenced my own creative vision.  By showcasing their work and their stories, my hope is that ‘Artful Angle’ becomes a platform to promote exceptional talent to a wider audience. To kick things off, here’s a sample image from the incredibly talented Paul Kraay, a photographer practically in my own backyard here in Southern Illinois.  I hope you find his image and the background behind it as captivating as I do.  Enjoy!