Des Moines, Iowa

A little bit of architecture

I had the opportunity to go to Des Moines, Iowa to give a presentation on “Seeing” in photography. It was a great group of teenagers and after the presentation, we went for a photo walk to apply some of the concepts.

It’s an easily walkable area.

It’s always fun to try to find interesting perspectives and angles. Having huge windows helps make that a little easier.

Windows, lines and reflections are one way to create interesting images. Plenty of that to be found with some of the more modern buildings downtown.

Sometimes simple is the best. Why overcomplicate your compositions? Less is more, as they say.

I believe you can make just about anything look interesting if you try. From safety barriers to apartment building balconies, you can find patterns and shapes to create interesting images.

Shadows always change the look of whatever it is they are living on.

At the moment, I don’t remember what this piece was. Public art, but I can’t find any information on it. Or, was it part of a building? I’ll have to do more research to find out.

As Des Moines is about a 5-hour drive from where I live, it’s worth 2–3 days to stay there and explore. There are buildings designed by Daniel Burnham and additions to others by I.M. Pei and Richard Meier. A couple of Mies van der Rohe buildings, Skidmore Wings and Merrill and a few others.

I am a photographer, educator, mentor & photo tour guide.

If I have to classify my work it’s mostly fine art photography. Based outside of Chicago, I enjoy photographing architecture, traveling as much as possible and just wandering in nature with my camera are my favorite things to do.

You can find more of my work in these galleries.

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