One of my favorite things to photography are buildings being torn down (de-construction) or in the process of being built. When they are being built, I like to start when it’s early in the construction. I’m looking for the building’s bones—the framing and rebar—before you can tell what it’s going to be. When my subject is the demolition of a building I often wait until late in its deconstruction to simplify the composition. I may visit a site several times during construction or demolition to get that special composition. These visits are also necessary to determine when the best dramatic lighting will strike the subject—it’s usually in the morning or towards sunset. I’m looking for a skimming side light to bring out texture and three dimensionality—so I’m looking for shadows.
Here’s an example of the lighting I’m looking for…
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f13.0 @ 1/640 sec., ISO 400; lens Canon 15mm Fisheye
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You have to be on your toes with residential demolition. They can tear down houses very quickly! I caught this one at just he right time—most of the house was down except this front corner with its “picture window”? seeing it’s last view; Our view being the home’s interior remains.
I used my 15mm fisheye to move in close and use the lens’ distortion to wrap the trees around the remains of the house.
This image was taken at 9:45 in the morning the second day of its demolition. When I cam back the next morning they had already hauled all the house debris away—even the trees were gone! I’ve learned that trees are not sacred here—and they call Boise, Idaho, the City of Trees!
Author: Jerry W. Venz, PPA Master Photographer, Craftsman
Training Site: http://www.LightAtTheEdge.com
Client Site: http://www.TheStorytellersUsa.com
