This is the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University.
Architect - Zaha Hadid architects
Architect of Record - Integrated Design Solutions LLC
Goal - As a hobbyist photog with an affinity for architecture, I wanted to experiment with a non traditional architectural shot that focused on how light is played with instead of pure form. As Zaha Hadid herself said - "I think there should be no end to experimentation".
I wanted this shot to focus on material and light. The museum is covered in a very particular steel finish. It is sourced from Zahner in Kansas City and is a finish named "Angel Hair". It is a non directional scatter finish. So when light hits it, it does not reflect, neither does it "flatten" like on a brushed steel surface. It is rare and challenging to capture how light reacts to it. If I had to describe it it's like taking the ambient lighting color and applying a gaussian blur and covering the building in it. This shot was a race against time as I wanted to
- Capture the purple sunset before the partially cloudy sky faded
- Capture how the unique steel finishing of the museum handles this rare display of light.
Prep - I'd initially planned to shoot a blue hour image, but the partially cloudy sky hinted that a purple sunset might be on the horizon (pun intended heh), so I had to scramble and leave work early to make the shot. This did affect the time I had for composing it and I had to settle for the very unconventional shot of the south elevation. I'd have liked to be move closer to the ground to hide the road, but that would muddy the already noisy silhouette of the museum with the trees and neighbors, while I quite liked the contrast yet separation as it is presented here.
Shot info -
Shot on 2/20/24
Sony A7C + Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 Art on tripod @ 24mm focal length
HDR stack of 3 images
ISO 100
SS 1/5 +/- 2 stops
F/8
No additional lighting used
Post processing - Besides the obvious straightening and curvature of the road being straightened, there was a lot of work done to minimize the residue and water run off blemishes on the steel facades. I did leave traces in since this does prevent the steel plates from appearing to be blown out. All of the electrical and related attachments were removed. Additionally darkened and removed distracting parts of the road.
I like this shot. Mind I feel it could give a stronger impression if the main subject would be croped in more. The tree on the right side edge is for me too distracting without adding value. Also the road is slightly to overemphezised for my taste.
Personally I would have croped to a more panoramic style size in order to focus more on the main building.
Thank you for the detailed feedback - I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
I did go back and forth on cropping in and FWIW I did get a blue light shot after they turned on the interior lights and I lowered the tripod, so I do 100% agree in light of this being architecture focused cropping in is the right call. I felt the tree acted as a frame/barrier but I probably over thought it.
I'm enjoying learning these nuances - so thanks again for sharing