Photographing Classical Architecture with Steven Brooke

15 AIA LUs and 15 Credits Toward the Certificate in Classical Architecture

Photograph of the New York Public Library by Course Instructor Steven Brooke

Photography plays an essential role in how architecture is perceived, studied, and presented. Every choice made by the photographer helps determine which architectural qualities of a building or place are communicated to the viewer.

In this three-day class for all backgrounds and skill levels, architectural photographer Steven Brooke will guide participants through an introduction to the history of architectural depiction and composition, and to the technical demands of photographing classical architecture.

Topics to be covered include: the historical depiction of architectural subjects and principles of composition; digital equipment, techniques, and software for post-production; analysis of subject matter; planning a photo session; and methods for capturing a variety of subjects and environments, from classical details and buildings to streetscapes.

The course includes studio lecture, review, and fieldwork, with field sessions designed to take advantage of natural early morning lighting. Participants will be introduced to a broad range of skills and techniques for examining and documenting classical architecture. The course is suitable for students and professionals of all design backgrounds and for those for whom architecture is a passion.

Steven Brooke has photographed architecture for over 35 years and is recipient of the National AIA Honor Award in photography and the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome. He has photographed over 40 books on architecture and design including books on Rome and the work of Carrere and Hastings. Mr. Brooke is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture. His work may be seen at www.stevenbrooke.com.

Required Materials and Suggestions

The following equipment is required for Steven Brooke's regular class in architectural photography. Those in this workshop can use other equipment without these controls, but the items below are strongly preferred.

Recommendation for reviews of cameras and lenses: www.fredmiranda.com

Recommendation for stores: B&H Photo, Adorama

Recommendation for camera: See below for detailed information. One of the Canon EOS Rebels with an 18-55mm lens will work well.

35mm Digital SLR Camera: Ideally, any camera with complete manual controls, including independent controls for shutter speed, aperture, focus, white balance, and ISO. Capacity to shoot RAW files is preferred. If your camera does not shoot RAW, the highest resolution JPEG setting available shout be used.
24mm or 28mm Wide Angle Lens: This is the preferred focal length for a “full frame” camera. “Full frame” means that you use the entire 24 mm x 36 mm sensor. If your camera has a sensor “crop factor”, your wide angle should have the equivalent coverage of at least a 28 mm. For example, cameras with a typical 1.6x sensor crop factor need a 15 mm or 18 mm lens to cover what a 24 mm or 28 mm covers on a full frame camera. If you have not purchased a camera, a full frame camera is highly recommended. Note: Many students have previously had success with one of the Canon EOS Rebels with an 18-55 mm lens.
Additional Lens in 35-105 mm Range: Suggested but not required for landscape and details. This can be a prime lens or zoom. The zoom supplied with your camera is usually fine for what we will be doing in the workshop.
Cable Release: Recommended to avoid movement.
Extra Batteries or Battery Charger for rechargeable batteries.
16-32 GB Storage Cards: Sandisk brand cards are highly recommended. One is sufficient; two are better.
Tripod: Required. It should be sturdy, with horizontal, vertical, and pan controls. A quick-release mount is suggested. Buy the most stable one you can afford.
Photoshop 5.5, 6.0, or Creative Cloud on your laptop or computer: The industry standard for photo processing. Highly recommended. If, for some reason, you cannot get Photoshop, we will work with what you have.
A Mouse with a Scroll Wheel: A laptop pad will not work efficiently.
You must be able to transfer your files from your storage card either to your computer or to a stand-alone hard drive. This can be accomplished with a card reader that plugs into your laptop, or a USB or Firewire connector, depending on your camera.

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May 18, 19, & 20, 2018

ICAA National Office

Overview What You Will Learn Instructor Tuition FAQ

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What You Will Learn

The history of depictions of architectural subjects
A comprehensive introduction to photographic equipment, techniques, and processing software
A deeper understanding of architectural study and presentation through photography
Important concepts and considerations such as systems of proportion, subdivision of picture plane, and lighting and shadow control
Specific techniques to capture architecture detail, buildings, and streetscapes, as well as for black and white photography

Instructor

Steven Brooke

Architectural Photographer

Tuition

ICAA Members

$475

General Public

$525

May 18, 19, & 20, 2018

ICAA National Office

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FAQ

How do I register for an upcoming ICAA continuing education course?

To register for a continuing education course hosted by the ICAA National Office, you can use the registration link noted on the program page, email [email protected], or call 212-730-9646 x112. ICAA Chapters manage course registration for their own events. While Chapter programs may be listed on classicist.org, you should check the Chapter website, or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, pricing, and information on how to register.

Does the ICAA offer the same continuing education courses seasonally?

The ICAA National Office does not offer recurring continuing education classes on a regular basis, but aims to offer future sessions of classes whose demand exceeded capacity. Core classes are generally offered annually or semi-annually. The frequency of ICAA Chapter courses varies by region.

Which courses count towards the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture?

You can find a list of the ICAA's core curriculum subject areas along with more details about the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture program here. For questions about specific courses that aren’t on this list, please contact [email protected].

Do I need to have prior experience to keep up in a studio-based class?

Most ICAA continuing education courses are suited to all artistic and academic backgrounds. Seasoned artists and novices alike have enjoyed and improved on their skills in ICAA classes. If a class has any pre-requisites or is recommended for a certain experience level, this will appear on the class listing on the ICAA website. While Chapter courses may be listed on classicist.org, you should check the Chapter website, or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, pricing, and pre-requisites.

What do I have to do to get AIA/CEU credit for a continuing education course?

In order to receive AIA credit, you will need to sign an AIA attendance sheet that is circulated with the ICAA’s own attendance sheet at the beginning of each class. You’ll provide your AIA number, if applicable, email address, and full name as it will appear on your certificate of completion, should you indicate that you would like to receive one. If you neglect to provide any of this information, or if you have questions regarding your credits, please contact [email protected]. For questions related to a regional Chapter's continuing education course, please contact that Chapter directly.

What is the difference between AIA LU and HSW credits?

Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) in architecture includes topics that relate to the structural integrity and soundness of a building or a building site. Course content must focus on these topics in order to provide HSW credits. For more information on ICAA classes that have been endorsed by the AIA for HSW credit, please contact [email protected].