I continue the theme of reflections that complete otherwise plain buildings. Last year, I have created a a few such compositions that I may show in upcoming posts. Today's nearby reflection has been composed just around the corner from where we live. It shows a kind of glass bay that is attached to a nearby office building. More reflections of "completed buildings" are shown in the current reflection gallery.

As a contrast to the farthest away photographs from New Zealand, I start to share more nearby compositions again. After all, the best (photography) work can be done in the environment you know best. Only one particular building may offer photography opportunities for many repeated visits. The fifth PWC building composition does not present the building itself, but rather air pipes, gigantic exhausts, just next to the building. The composition above shows three of these pipes with the reflections of the rotating glass panes that are characteristic of the facade of this business complex. The previous blog posts about the PWC building are found HERE.

I just felt like sharing another composition of amazing light and shadow reflections taken at the skyscrapers on Hagenholzstrasse; a kind of sequel to the photograph shown earlier this week. The whole building complex has just been completed and it is really nearby - I can even see parts of it from our kitchen window. This year, I try to broaden my view (I photograph more often with a wide-angle lens) and thus search for wide, complex scenes instead of tiny details. I often find them in reflections and particularly at these skyscrapers.
In my opinion, the reflections and re-reflection in the composition above are quite amazing. First of all, the original light and shadow pattern is reflected both, in the glass panes on the right, as well as on the granite pillars on the left. In addition, in the upper left part of the photograph, the reflection in the glass panes is re-reflected on the shiny granite. Since my reflection photographs are quite different in style (much more colorful), this composition has just been added to the light and shadow gallery as well as to the nearby collection.

Have a nice weekend!

 
Reflected light reflection in Zurich Oerlikon; a photograph from my light & shadow collection. I really enjoy searching, seeing and photographing new subjects and overlooked details of beauty in deserts of concrete and asphalt (despite the fact that I much prefer nature). In this photograph, taken at the skyscrapers at Hagenholzstrasse (already shown in a very different photograph a long time ago), I like how the beam of reflected light in the foreground and its reflection lead straight into the frame and add depth to the composition - ironically in a direction where there was no depth at all; I was just a step away from the glass window.

It has been a (long) while since I have written about my philosophical thoughts; not because I have stopped thinking, but rather because I have hesitated if to write at all and which thoughts to share. Often, I have the impression that too much is being written by too many people and that all I can add are platitudes.

Today's truism is following me since a long time: The nagging awareness that there is no higher, objective meaning of my life, of life in general, or of anything at all. In moments when I become aware of this objective pointlessness, a feeling of vast, all-encompassing emptiness and discouragement may overcome me. Most attempts to fill this void with meaning, for example by objective reasoning, are doomed. However, the antidote to the venomous influence of objectivity is a subjective, inward look at life.

Meaning is by definition subjective; inherently linked to the person, the subject, who seeks meaning. The meaning of my life are thus my experiences and the lasting, happy and appreciative memories they create in my brain. Such a subjective view is also comforting for less fundamental questions than the one about the meaning of life. I often pondered decisions at length because I sought the "right" decision, not realizing that it was not a question about right or wrong, but rather about personal preference.

Please do not misinterpret and conclude that all I advocate is subjectivity. This is not at all my point; after all, I am a scientist! All I am saying is that life without meaning is really quite miserable. It is my objective conclusion that the only way life can have any meaning is with a good shot of subjectivity. I think the label "subjective objectivity" would be a funny, but fitting concoction for this point of view.

It seems to me that photography may actually exemplify the quest for meaning and the importance of objectivity and subjectivity. I believe that many people photograph so that they get an object - the photograph - of their experiences. It is an attempt to attach an objective meaning to their experiences by collecting objects (pictures). On the other hand, the activity of searching, seeing, creating and capturing a photograph may be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding to photographers - to photograph, not the photograph itself, gives (subjective) meaning to their lives.

I wish yo

  Abstract reflections in the facade of the PWC building in Zurich-Oerlikon, Switzerland.

I have just printed the photograph above - the sixth print of this year and therefore the monthly print for June. It is a composition that I have shown you almost a year ago as part of the ongoing "nearby" series. The PWC building is covered by rotating glass panes that automatically position themselves against the sun. The abstract composition comes about due to the reflection of these glass panes in the window behind - the photograph is a look into the inter-space between the panes and the windows. In my opinion, the colors of this photograph fit together harmoniously and I like the regular vertical pattern - it looks a little bit like a colorful bar code. As a supplement, there is even a hint of a moiré pattern!

If there is any photograph on my website that you would like to have as a print, please suggest it as a monthly print.

Finally a new post! I have wanted to photograph the facade of this nearby office building since a long time, but I had difficulties finding a composition that I was satisfied with. The facade is composed of greenish glass panes with black dots, but unfortunately there is neither much contrast between the black dots and the dark glass, nor is there a structural element that would cast interesting shadows. On a recent photo walk in my neighborhood, I discovered that one of the glass panes was broken and thus permitted a look behind the facade. As expected, the back light now created a highly contrasty scene and, in my opinion, an interesting composition. An example that illustrates that sometimes the inside is more interesting than the outside and that it is worth revisiting a location - something which is much easier nearby than far away!

It has already been a while since I last showed you a nearby composition to emphasize that you do not have to travel far in order to photograph (and neither need to buy an expensive camera). The photograph above also illustrates that the very same building may offer plenty of photography opportunities - if you spend enough time and regularly visit the scene.
This is already the fourth capture of the PWC building. In this example, it is not the rotating glass panes that comprise the composition, but instead, you are presented with a zebra stripe pattern that is created by light being reflected from a glass facade (and the reflection of this reflection "inside" the building). This particular scene can only be observed in autumn (and probably spring) when the setting sun enlightens this face of the PWC building in the "correct" angle.
I have deliberated for a long time how to describe photographs of such light reflections. In my opinion they do not fit the "reflection" theme and neither represent light & shadow compositions. Harald Mante has termed these phenomena Lichtkissen (light cushions), but in the particular case above a cushion does not seem an appropriate association. I have settled for the title "Play of light" and you may have a look at other examples in the Play of light gallery. The previous blog posts about the PWC building are found HERE.

Winter sunset in Zurich-Oerlikon, Switzerland.

The photograph above is a good example for two important topics that I would like to highlight with my blog. The impressive sunset is an example of a nearby photograph that was taken whithin short walking distance of our home in Zurich Oerlikon. I think this was the most impressive sunset that I have ever witnessed in Zurich. In addition, the photograph is an example for my belief that with little or simple equipment impressive results are possible. The sunset composition was taken with a small point-and-shoot camera (the fantastic Sony DSC T3, which does not exist anymore). Nevertheless, the digital file is huge (over 24 million pixels) because it is a composite of seven individual photographs (about 5 million pixels each) that were taken handheld and stitched together

We have safely returned back home and I am again in my "nearby district". As in the last blog post, I am showing you a composition that I discovered on the glass panes of the PWC building. Here, light passing through the perforated imprint on these panes created this fascinating moiré pattern (I think the phenomenon is a moiré pattern, but I am not absolutely certain). I assume that the light responsible for this effect is reflected from the glass panes themselves and then passes through several blinds, parallel to the facade. Therefore, the moiré pattern can be clearly seen in the topmost part of the area in the shadow (I only realized this now, while writing about the photograph). For me, this building is the perfect example how observation and photographing the same subject for several years can lead to ever new discoveries and compositions. 

Although I am still on holiday, I have more stable internet access again and can therefore finally share a new photograph. To contrast my far away holiday, I am showing you another nearby peek. As mentioned, over the years I have taken photographs of the PWC building from all kinds of angles and perspectives and during all the seasons. All compositions feature the outside of the building though - I have only seen the inside through the windows, but it looks highly photogenic too. The composition above depicts the most remarkable feature of the PWC building: the glass panes that serve as blinds and turn according to the direction of the sunlight. I have taken different photographs of only this special feature alone! At some times during the year and when the blinds are not completely closed despite sunshine, the interspace between the actual windows and the glass panes provides this - as I find - interesting composition, which is also part of the reflection gallery.

This is my most photographed building because it is close to where I live and I often pass by to search for interesting compositions. It is an office building, which is commonly referred to as the PWC building due to its tenant. I really like this building and it is a good example for the "nearby philosophy" - to search and find compositions close to where you live. In future "nearby posts" I will show you many different angles, details, reflections and compositions of this construction. The first photograph above shows a broad view of the most remarkable feature of this building: the outer facade consisting of glass lamellas that are printed with a kind of perforated pattern and that serve as sun blinds. These glass panes cover three sides of the PWC building and automatically follow the movement of the sun to shadow the offices behind the actual glass facade (which you cannot see on this photograph). The lamellas are not always in perfect synchrony and sometimes those that break ranks cause interesting effects. In the view above I like the different heights of the shadows on adjacent glass panes. To me it looks like a giant histogram. The photograph above is also part of the facades gallery.

I am rather busy these days and when I have finally time for a photo walk or bike ride, the conditions are not appropriate for what I have in mind. Therefore, I have had only few opportunities to really try out my new tilt and shift adapter. Nevertheless, I would like to share my absolutely very first tilt (and shift) composition - for which I only used the tilt function. In order to render the concrete columns on the right sharp, I have tilted the lens a few degrees to the right. As suggested by Darwin Wiggett and Samantha Chrysanthou, I have set the camera to manual mode, defined the aperture (f8) and exposure time before applying the tilt and then composed the photograph by slowly changing the tilt angle and verifying sharpness in live view mode (much less tilt was necessary than I had expected).
The photograph was taken in Zürich Oerlikon, close to where I live. The particular building is featured in several of my light & shadow compositions, some of which were shown in previous blog posts (I like to call it the not guilty building). This composition is broader than previous versions (due to the 20 mm lens), but I quite like it. The little lightly colored square at the end of the alleyway really catches my eye! Nevertheless, this is only my very first attempt at tilt and shift photography and I certainly hope to improve my technique (I am still terribly slow at setting the camera up). In this example, it may not even be apparent that a tilt & shift function was used - only the blurred reflection on the left may indicate that the focal plane was not straight.

A third Light & shadow composition of the not guilty building in Zurich Oerlikon (number two is HERE). Again, I like how the shadow hides and the light reveals detail. But there is also a subtle spot of reflected light on the base of the shady face of the pillars that I appreciate.

Another Light & shadow composition of the not guilty building in Zurich Oerlikon.

Light arrows on pillars in Zurich Oerlikon, Switzerland

I have just added the photograph above to my Light and shadow theme. I have pondered a long time  on the development of this photograph, in particular the shadow detail. As you can see, I have decided in favor of completely black shadows (in agreement with my son). Many people (including my wife) probably prefer less contrast and at least some detail in the shady section of the pillars. However, by looking at my light and shadow gallery it is apparent that I really like black shadows. For me, one value of shadows is their capability to hide detail and irrelevant parts of a composition. When I am attracted to a light and shadow scene, I imagine the shadows as silhouettes that blind out distracting parts and create interesting patterns or shapes (like here fore example). Many photographers avoid conditions of direct and bright sunlight BECAUSE of the harsh shadows and the loss of detail in the shades. With my light and shadow photographs I try to take advantage of exactly these properties: bright sunlight and completely black shadows. In contrast to Billy Joel, I do not see only shades of grey, but rather black AND shades of grey (please note, I do not write "black and white"!). I think it is important to have absolutes, such as absolutely black shadows, because they help to concentrate and emphasize what is considered relevant. Interestingly, at least in photography these absolutes (shadows) change during the day and throughout the year!
The photograph above was taken at a building that I visit regularly on my photo walks (or rather bike rides). In my lightroom catalog it is entitled "not guilty building" because it houses a restaurant with this memorable name (along with other businesses and apartments with less catchy names). The exact same building was already shown in an early photograph (depicted here) and I will post more photographs in the future (I have been working on them over the weekend).

Florian.

Many blogs, people and photographers have a mission that they want to spread. Unfortunately, this often involves advise on what other people should like or enjoy, for example in photography. I very strongly and decidedly dislike any such kind of proselytism. Actually, I find the urge to convince others to imitate ones own conduct presumptuous, assuming and arrogant. 

It is very important to separate facts from opinions. For example, I try to teach my children that it makes a big difference whether you say "this soup is bad" or rather "I find this soup bad".
Remember to separate facts from opinions whenever you read a review or listen to advice! Words like "good", "bad", "best", "complicated" or "intuitive" are subjective designations that usually do not relate to facts at all and only depend on the subjective opinion of the author. In my opinion, the crux of the matter is to discover what works for yourself, irrespective of what other people suggest. This applies not only to photography, but to most things in life. Having a clear idea of your own needs frees you from all sorts of manipulations by peers, reviewers and advertisement and I am quite sure that it also reduces compulsive camera buying syndrom (CCBS) and benefits your wallet.
The above explains why I do not like to write about equipment and tools too much and why you should not take any of my opinions as absolute truths. I present things that I like because they work for me and I am arrogant enough to think that my experience may be helpful or enjoyable to somebody somewhere. I do not share my opinions to convince, but to provide food for thought that may help you discover what is pleasing, right, wrong or useful for you.
To finish this digression into the photosophical, I share a simple light and shadow composition that "works" for me. The photograph was taken very close to my home in Zurich Oerlikon - a favorite spot of mine to photograph on a quiet and sunny weekend morning. I hope that for one or the other of you the composition works as well.

All the best,
Florian.

Light and shadow in Zurich Oerlikon, Switzerland