This post is really a series of questions I have no answers to.
In this podcast episode, Iwan Baan, renowned architectural photographer speaks of his experience documenting traditional architecture in Burkina Faso. He speaks of his displeasure with the “peoplesness” of architectural photography. For him, he has no problem documenting interiors and architecture with alongside the users of the space. This is reflected across his portfolio.
I did see his point. A lot of architectural and even interior photographers take photos of empty spaces. Doesn’t this make the photos feel plastic? No one in sight, no sheet unruffled.
I spoke about this with my friend Femi and he gave me an antithesis. Architectural photography with people who have been clearly made to pose. This feels even more plastic. Consider the photos of the Linked in office. The photos look uncanny because we know the people inside them have been posed to look natural. There are far too many people huddled around smiling.
Why do architectural photographers require a sanitized space when spaces are made for the use of people? Does context impact the the perception of the emptiness of space?
These are the questions.
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