as well as different subject matter. I took an
architectural history course and the instructor
always made it a point that if you wanted to
understand anything, you should draw it. I
took that lesson to heart, and I find that I can
understand an image through drawing.
I think it is a grave disservice for students
of photography today not to avail themselves
of this knowledge. I believe it is necessary
to have strong foundations in the elements
of art to embark upon the creative process.
The less "tools" we have in exploring our
creativity the more we will be hindered in
our personal expression.
How do you bring static structures to life with
your photography?
What appears to be static to our eye is really
brimming with activity. The forces that are at
play in any given architectural construction
are really a dance of a variety of forces that
our vision takes for granted. The compositions
and imagery that I am drawn to are grounded
in a need to balance positive and negative
spaces, as well as challenging the picture
plane - drawing the viewer to challenge their
own boundaries of perceptio n. I like to fill
my compositions with engaging patterns,
contrast and skewed perceptions, in hopes
that they will jar the viewer from their passive
engagement to an active relationship with
the image. Keeping the viewer "off balance"
typically imbues the structures with life.
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What special skills and equipment would
you consider essential when photographing
architecture?
In my humble opinion I believe you need
to have a variety of lens, with more of a focus
on wide angle lenses. I like to have a little
flexibility with my focal range so I currently
use a 16-35 sony Zeiss lens.
What motivates you to continue taking
pictures and grow in your creativity?
The creative process is inherent to my
spiritual, intellectual and emotional well being.
The act of creating opens up a "conduit" to
my inner self, in addition to creating stability
in my emotional atmosphere. I meditate daily,
and I find the peace of mind I gather in my
mindfulness practice informs my creative
process, and the two feed off of one another
in a synergistic fashion. My creative process is
more intuitive than intellectual at this point.
So much of what I intellectually learned years
ago has become integrated to a more supraintellectual process.
To see more of Darren’s “gentle giants”
or purchase one his fantastic images on
a graphic tee, please go to his website at
darrensinger.net.