Made of stone
Artist Statement
I took these photos around the University of Michigan Law Quadrangle. The Law Quad has always been one of my favorite places on campus. I love the secluded feeling of enclosed courtyard areas like the Law Quad. I also admire the Gothic architecture of the law buildings, with their marvelous stained glass windows and tall towers. The stone walls and Gothic architecture of the law quad create a sort of “medieval” feel, as if you are transported back in time when you step through the Law Quad’s archway. My parents could had to drop me off to take pictures on the day I visited the law quad, and initially I was nervous to photograph on campus by myself. However, when I entered the Law Quad, I found a graduation reception happening for some University of Michigan graduates. Although I thought it would be hard to take photographs with so many people around, I actually enjoyed blending into the crowd as I took pictures because I felt safer with so many people around me. Because the law buildings are so large, it was not difficult to take photographs without people in them. I was photographing in the late afternoon, and I had some difficulty finding buildings that were not completely shadowed or covered in shadows of tree branches. These issues were easily resolved with some editing in Photoshop, though. In these photos I am trying to convey the grandeur of the University and Michigan Law buildings and the awe that being in the Law Quad makes me feel. The solid stone walls and empty skies really do make it seem like the photographs could be of a thousand-year-old castle, rather than buildings in Ann Arbor!
I took these photos around the University of Michigan Law Quadrangle. The Law Quad has always been one of my favorite places on campus. I love the secluded feeling of enclosed courtyard areas like the Law Quad. I also admire the Gothic architecture of the law buildings, with their marvelous stained glass windows and tall towers. The stone walls and Gothic architecture of the law quad create a sort of “medieval” feel, as if you are transported back in time when you step through the Law Quad’s archway. My parents could had to drop me off to take pictures on the day I visited the law quad, and initially I was nervous to photograph on campus by myself. However, when I entered the Law Quad, I found a graduation reception happening for some University of Michigan graduates. Although I thought it would be hard to take photographs with so many people around, I actually enjoyed blending into the crowd as I took pictures because I felt safer with so many people around me. Because the law buildings are so large, it was not difficult to take photographs without people in them. I was photographing in the late afternoon, and I had some difficulty finding buildings that were not completely shadowed or covered in shadows of tree branches. These issues were easily resolved with some editing in Photoshop, though. In these photos I am trying to convey the grandeur of the University and Michigan Law buildings and the awe that being in the Law Quad makes me feel. The solid stone walls and empty skies really do make it seem like the photographs could be of a thousand-year-old castle, rather than buildings in Ann Arbor!
Upward
Artist Statement
These photographs were taken inside of the University of Michigan Law Library. The University of Michigan is home to many interesting museums, inspiring artworks, and beautiful examples of architecture, but I can confidently say that the Law Library is my favorite place on campus. I don’t go there often, but it is always exciting when I do get a chance to visit. I can remember the first time my mom took my brother and I to the Law Library- I was nervous because I didn’t believe we were allowed to go in! But as soon as I stepped through the doors of the library, I was amazed. The high, ornately decorated ceilings, beautifully carved wooden walls and tables, and tall stained glass windows combined to create a place like somewhere out of my dreams. In fact, being the Harry Potter-obsessed child that I was, I felt like the room was exactly like a room out of Hogwarts! I knew I wanted to take pictures of the buildings around the Law Quad for this assignment, and I decided I might as well go into the library while I was nearby, because I hadn't been there in a long time. Although the room didn't seem quite as huge or unfamiliar as I did the first time I visited, the Law Library hadn’t lost any of its former magic. I still loved it, and decided I had to take a few pictures. I felt a little bit awkward taking photos in the quiet library, however I didn’t end up being the only one taking pictures of the library that day. My biggest challenge with photographing inside of the Law Library was the large stained glass window. There was much more light coming in through the window than in the rest of the room, and as a result the window appeared as just a blob of light in some of my photos. However, I was able to darken the window in Photoshop by adding another Brightness/Contrast layer over only the window and darkening the area more than the rest of the image. Like the other photos I took in the Law Quad, I wanted to convey the sense of wonder and awe I felt that first time I visited the library in my photos, and inspire others to visit the Law Library and feel the same magic that I feel there.
These photographs were taken inside of the University of Michigan Law Library. The University of Michigan is home to many interesting museums, inspiring artworks, and beautiful examples of architecture, but I can confidently say that the Law Library is my favorite place on campus. I don’t go there often, but it is always exciting when I do get a chance to visit. I can remember the first time my mom took my brother and I to the Law Library- I was nervous because I didn’t believe we were allowed to go in! But as soon as I stepped through the doors of the library, I was amazed. The high, ornately decorated ceilings, beautifully carved wooden walls and tables, and tall stained glass windows combined to create a place like somewhere out of my dreams. In fact, being the Harry Potter-obsessed child that I was, I felt like the room was exactly like a room out of Hogwarts! I knew I wanted to take pictures of the buildings around the Law Quad for this assignment, and I decided I might as well go into the library while I was nearby, because I hadn't been there in a long time. Although the room didn't seem quite as huge or unfamiliar as I did the first time I visited, the Law Library hadn’t lost any of its former magic. I still loved it, and decided I had to take a few pictures. I felt a little bit awkward taking photos in the quiet library, however I didn’t end up being the only one taking pictures of the library that day. My biggest challenge with photographing inside of the Law Library was the large stained glass window. There was much more light coming in through the window than in the rest of the room, and as a result the window appeared as just a blob of light in some of my photos. However, I was able to darken the window in Photoshop by adding another Brightness/Contrast layer over only the window and darkening the area more than the rest of the image. Like the other photos I took in the Law Quad, I wanted to convey the sense of wonder and awe I felt that first time I visited the library in my photos, and inspire others to visit the Law Library and feel the same magic that I feel there.
Classic
Artist Statement
These photos were taken of the University of Michigan Angell Hall. I knew I wanted wanted to photograph columns or this project, and decided to photograph Angell Hall after I remembered visiting there in sixth grade to study Greek architecture. I was interested in the way the massive stone columns on the front of the building looked imposing up close, and neat and orderly from far away. I enjoyed photographing the columns because of all the different angles I could capture them from- far away standing on the sidewalk, from the front steps of the building, at the base of one of the columns, looking through the columns from the side, etc. I especially liked taking photos of Angell Hall because I could get a far-away shot of the entire building, something I could not really do at any of my other locations. I had some trouble making my photos of Angell Hall visually exciting, to because the building is very plain and symmetrical. However, experimenting with different angles solved this problem. Unlike the Law Quad, Angell Hall did not give off a magical fairytale feeling, nor did it hold any personal stories for me. Yet, the building was still beautiful in a distant and untouchable way, with its perfect symmetry and stoic indifference. I found it interesting how different styles of architecture affect the way the buildings make you feel. I had never really taken time to think about or experience “connecting” with buildings before!
These photos were taken of the University of Michigan Angell Hall. I knew I wanted wanted to photograph columns or this project, and decided to photograph Angell Hall after I remembered visiting there in sixth grade to study Greek architecture. I was interested in the way the massive stone columns on the front of the building looked imposing up close, and neat and orderly from far away. I enjoyed photographing the columns because of all the different angles I could capture them from- far away standing on the sidewalk, from the front steps of the building, at the base of one of the columns, looking through the columns from the side, etc. I especially liked taking photos of Angell Hall because I could get a far-away shot of the entire building, something I could not really do at any of my other locations. I had some trouble making my photos of Angell Hall visually exciting, to because the building is very plain and symmetrical. However, experimenting with different angles solved this problem. Unlike the Law Quad, Angell Hall did not give off a magical fairytale feeling, nor did it hold any personal stories for me. Yet, the building was still beautiful in a distant and untouchable way, with its perfect symmetry and stoic indifference. I found it interesting how different styles of architecture affect the way the buildings make you feel. I had never really taken time to think about or experience “connecting” with buildings before!
Triplets
Artist Statement
I took these photos of the University of Michigan Tappan Hall. This building is behind the art museum, just off of the Diag. It is the kind of building you would glance at walking past but might never really realize it exists unless you had a reason to go inside of it. It is hidden in all of the beautiful buildings on campus. I came across the building while walking and taking photos around the art museum, and decided to photograph it on a whim as I walked by. I admired the simple red bricks and the archway over the entrance of the building. I also liked the vines creeping all over the face of the two-story building, which allowed me to imagine it as a mansion in the countryside, with a stately garden out front. I had no difficulty taking pictures of this building, because I was photographing on a Sunday afternoon when most of the college students were out of school. I know nothing more about this Tappan Hall other that the fact that it exists, however I still feel a connection to the building. In these photos, I am trying to convey a feeling of secluded calm and simplicity. I wanted to represent all of the anonymous and overlooked buildings in Ann Arbor, which are just as beautiful and valuable as any other famous building in the area, through my photos of Tappan Hall. I enjoyed imagining this building as a hidden treasure when photographing it.
I took these photos of the University of Michigan Tappan Hall. This building is behind the art museum, just off of the Diag. It is the kind of building you would glance at walking past but might never really realize it exists unless you had a reason to go inside of it. It is hidden in all of the beautiful buildings on campus. I came across the building while walking and taking photos around the art museum, and decided to photograph it on a whim as I walked by. I admired the simple red bricks and the archway over the entrance of the building. I also liked the vines creeping all over the face of the two-story building, which allowed me to imagine it as a mansion in the countryside, with a stately garden out front. I had no difficulty taking pictures of this building, because I was photographing on a Sunday afternoon when most of the college students were out of school. I know nothing more about this Tappan Hall other that the fact that it exists, however I still feel a connection to the building. In these photos, I am trying to convey a feeling of secluded calm and simplicity. I wanted to represent all of the anonymous and overlooked buildings in Ann Arbor, which are just as beautiful and valuable as any other famous building in the area, through my photos of Tappan Hall. I enjoyed imagining this building as a hidden treasure when photographing it.
Hazardous
Artist Statement
These photographs were taken around the back of the University of Michigan art museum. I could not find a time when the museum was open to to go inside and take photographs, which was disappointing. However, I am glad I still was able to take photos of the art museum building, which is a work of art itself. The art museum is a unique piece of the University of Michigan campus. The front of the museum is built in a Greek style, giving the viewer the illusion that the whole building is in the same ancient-looking style. However, the other sides of the museum are, in fact, in a modern style with sharp lines and corners made of concrete blocks, metal, and glass panels. I used to think the architecture style of the art museum as strange and ugly. Howber, I have since then grown to appreciate modern architecture. Modern art can seem very foreign and random at times, yet often is very purposeful and symmetrical. I believe this foreignness is what draws people to modern art and architecture, because we naturally want to learn more and become more familiar with it. Photographing the art museum reminded me of modern architecture photographs I researched online for my architecture Photocollage Journal, making me realize that crazy and weird architecture is not something only found in far-away countries and big cities- in fact, modern architecture is all around us if we take the time to look! In these photographs, I wanted to convey the strangeness and specialness of modern architecture while also demonstrating that it is all around us, and not as foreign of a concept as many people believe.
These photographs were taken around the back of the University of Michigan art museum. I could not find a time when the museum was open to to go inside and take photographs, which was disappointing. However, I am glad I still was able to take photos of the art museum building, which is a work of art itself. The art museum is a unique piece of the University of Michigan campus. The front of the museum is built in a Greek style, giving the viewer the illusion that the whole building is in the same ancient-looking style. However, the other sides of the museum are, in fact, in a modern style with sharp lines and corners made of concrete blocks, metal, and glass panels. I used to think the architecture style of the art museum as strange and ugly. Howber, I have since then grown to appreciate modern architecture. Modern art can seem very foreign and random at times, yet often is very purposeful and symmetrical. I believe this foreignness is what draws people to modern art and architecture, because we naturally want to learn more and become more familiar with it. Photographing the art museum reminded me of modern architecture photographs I researched online for my architecture Photocollage Journal, making me realize that crazy and weird architecture is not something only found in far-away countries and big cities- in fact, modern architecture is all around us if we take the time to look! In these photographs, I wanted to convey the strangeness and specialness of modern architecture while also demonstrating that it is all around us, and not as foreign of a concept as many people believe.