Architectural Photography and Historic Preservation

[@bruceharvey6428]

This is terrific, Steve, thank you for this strong support for the documentation of historic places, and recognizing their importance both as examples of good design and as components of communities. As a historian, I've been involved in HABS/HAER documentation of historic buildings for nearly two decades, and am a strong advocate for photography as a component of a public memory of these places. Wonderful work and commentary as always, thank you!

[@stevenbrookephotography]

The HABS/HAER work is so very valuable!

[@bruceharvey6428]

@@stevenbrookephotography Thanks, Steve! Yes, I think that it is pretty important work, helping to create a publicly-accessible memory of these significant historic places, and it is also lot of fun! I'm so glad to hear of your support for recording historic architecture.

[@alvaroecheverria5630]

Great, thank you master.

[@dankoons5577]

You have earlier videos encouraging finding a special place to revisit. In my part of the world I have photographed abandoned farm houses and grain elevators. I will revisit these to see if morning light or winter light can add something to a scene. Often I can add something, but, there are times the structure has been demolished or destroyed by a grass fire! I have missed your recent absence.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Thank you for your note, Dan. If you would like to send one of your farmhouse photos, I will gladly add it to the other images being sent in. You may send it to [e-mail].

[@dankoons5577]

@@stevenbrookephotography I'll look one up

[@geoffgowans7778]

Being a Tasmanian/Australian myself, I’m so glad you mentioned Thomas Ryan in your video. He’s been documenting/photographing buildings here for many years, we need more like him ! By the way, I signed a petition to help save the Deauville Beach Resort recently. Many famous people have stayed there including the Beatles !

[@stevenbrookephotography]

I, too, signed a petition to save the Deauville. To no avail, unfortunately. The general indifference was saddening.

[@geoffgowans7778]

@@stevenbrookephotography Oh, that’s a shame.😳

[@ArminHirmer]

Just wonderfully made Steven, well done. I believe if we all work together, that we can create a change. Thank you for your tremendous work!

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Thanks for contributing, Armin. I’m very grateful for the support.

[@open.studio.architecture]

Thank you for another great video!

[@prburley]

Steven this is such a wonderful video. I come from a metadata background and only bought a camera to contribute images to Wikimedia Commons, and your channel & e-book have been so helpful. By coincidence, our Wikimedia organization in Brazil is starting to hear from folks who photographed all sorts of cultural heritage in the past and want a repository to leave them in. Exciting times ahead.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Thank you, Paul. A repository for such archives would be a wonderful idea. With digital, it would be relatively easy for people to contribute their documentation.

[@thephotoroad]

Fantastic and inspiring video. I’m an American working in West Africa (Senegal) and there are so many French colonial buildings in need of preservation. No one pays then any attention. Your video helps motivate me to document them before they are gone.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Good luck with this most important work. Perhaps it will inspire others to help in preserving them.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

One more note: The Italian modernist buildings, particularly in areas like Garbatella (Rome), suffered from neglect in part because of the nature of their original governmental (Fascist-era) patronage. The citizenry have come to realize that the architecture, itself, absent the gloss of original patronage, was worthy of preserving.

[@thephotoroad]

Yes I think it’s a similar dynamic at work in Senegal. Many buildings were constructed by the French colonial authorities who are of course viewed today as unwelcome oppressors. So there is little interest (and even less money) to preserve these buildings.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

When you have documented a sufficient number, you might consider publishing an e-book with them, along with whatever history you think appropriate. This is a convenient way to get the work seen, absent a commitment from a publishing house.

[@thephotoroad]

Thank you for the advice

[@darrylroberts5235]

Steven, thank you, I'm getting involved with my new 4x5 Camera.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

My cherished cherrywood and gold 4x5 view camera is in my living room, now functioning as a work of art. Glad you are actually using yours

[@terryfebruary6485]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting video. I bought a copy of your book. This is now my go to reference book for architecture photography.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

You are very welcome, Terry. I hope it helps you with your work.

[@barbd.222]

This is such great work to preserve these buildings that have a huge impact on the spaces they are situated in, and losing them can be devastating. (I have your book too & am slowly working my way through it. I love the references to old paintings & artworks, especially de Chirico. I wasn't familiar with his work until I saw your video featuring his work.)

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Thank you for your note. Barb, and for your purchase of my ebook.

[@pedrovieira936]

Wonderful work, thank you for the video

[@stevenbrookephotography]

Thanks, Pedro.

[@johnmcaleer6917]

Great video Steven, I absolutely love Art Deco architecture, are you aware of Napier in New Zealand ? It was flattened by an earthquake in the 1930’s and rebuilt during the Art Deco period, apparently regarded as the Art Deco capital of the world.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

I have seen photos of that region. Hope to visit some day.

[@blancaartgallery]

Great to see. Always a terrible shame how history and environment - place and life - are replaced by money grubbing nothingness. These photographers preserve and speak through images to the next generations what the money makers of present have destroyed. I am not a photographer, but my son Thomas Ryan (mentioned) is. The importance of his work in architectural photography is yet to be fully discovered. Thanks for noticing and featuring his love of photography and of architecture.

[@stevenbrookephotography]

I admire Thomas's work and applaud his efforts on behalf of the historic architecture of his homeland.

[@GauravSharma-lj2ug]

Amazing video man I wanna connect with you personally can we connect on social media?