In Search of Art Deco

[dje]

I went on a search yesterday to try and shoot some art deco buildings in the inner suburb of New Farm. I think all of these buildings were built in the 1930's and roughly can be categorised as "art deco". I'm not sure about the blue one but I liked it's stucco facade anyway.

NYC's Chrysler Building they aren't but they are the best I could find in little old Brissie!

Dave

[TonyW]

Dave, those are good images and are a good sample of the character of the place. I think I prefer the colour version to the black and white for the first.

When we first arrived in Brisbane many years ago for a new job, we were put up in a flat in New Farm for the first two weeks, although as I remember it the building was earlier than art deco. New Farm and the neighbouring suburbs are interesting and I often wonder how they are going to be developed in the future.

[Wavelength]

Very nice images

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

For me, (despite the build date) the "Coronet flats" doesn't qualify on stylistic grounds (too angular and naked bricks are visible), not that I am knowledgeable on Art Deco.

"Waterloo Hotel" does and I wouldn't toss out the blue one either, for the reason you give.

That said, a google image review of "art deco buildings" does show some brick ones I wouldn't rule out, so I guess it is subjective

OK, now to the pictures:

Somehow you managed a good elevation and at a sun angle to capture the "Coronet flats" very well (even the cloud position works well). I prefer the colour version.

Good timing to avoid any traffic at what I assume is a busy intersection/junction in front of the "Waterloo Hotel".

The technical aspects of all three shots are good and nothing strikes me as needing improvement.


Have you considered some cloning to remove a few modern items that most spoil these?
I'm thinking about; the two cars in the "Coronet flats" shot, the traffic lights in the "Waterloo Hotel" shot and the parking restriction(?) pole in the last?


Ya know what; the more I look at it, perhaps "Coronet flats" does qualify

Cheers, Dave

[dje]

Dave, those are good images and are a good sample of the character of the place. I think I prefer the colour version to the black and white for the first.

When we first arrived in Brisbane many years ago for a new job, we were put up in a flat in New Farm for the first two weeks, although as I remember it the building was earlier than art deco. New Farm and the neighbouring suburbs are interesting and I often wonder how they are going to be developed in the future.

Thanks Tony

Yes that area is going through a very "transitional" period. You might call it an eclectic mix with a very broad spectrum of inhabitants. Not my cup of tea really!

Dave

[dje]

Very nice images

Thanks Nandakumar.

Dave

[John 2]

Nice series Dave. The Coronet flats lend themselves to mono and a nice conversion BTW. Their style though I think is more typical of the angular style of cubism rather than Art Deco but I'm no expert so I hold my hand up to that. There can't be a better example of a building being overshadowed than the Waterloo Hotel. Pity the architect of the modern buildings behind it didn't take some inspiration from the Hotel and make their designs blend in a bit more. I'd love to see the inside of no.3. Nice set.

[dje]

Hi Dave,

For me, (despite the build date) the "Coronet flats" doesn't qualify on stylistic grounds (too angular and naked bricks are visible), not that I am knowledgeable on Art Deco.

"Waterloo Hotel" does and I wouldn't toss out the blue one either, for the reason you give.

That said, a google image review of "art deco buildings" does show some brick ones I wouldn't rule out, so I guess it is subjective

OK, now to the pictures:

Somehow you managed a good elevation and at a sun angle to capture the "Coronet flats" very well (even the cloud position works well). I prefer the colour version.

Good timing to avoid any traffic at what I assume is a busy intersection/junction in front of the "Waterloo Hotel".

The technical aspects of all three shots are good and nothing strikes me as needing improvement.


Have you considered some cloning to remove a few modern items that most spoil these?
I'm thinking about; the two cars in the "Coronet flats" shot, the traffic lights in the "Waterloo Hotel" shot and the parking restriction(?) pole in the last?


Ya know what; the more I look at it, perhaps "Coronet flats" does qualify

Cheers, Dave

Thanks for your detailed comments Dave.

I know what you mean about the Coronet Flats, perhaps it's because the bricks are so dominant. I did my homework on the sun position but I got a surprise with the shooting position. The flats are across the road from a park and there was an elevated mound at the edge of the park which gave me a perfect spot to take the shot. Having said that though, in some ways the shot seems a bit clinical to me and I might have got a more interesting shot by focussing in on the metal panels etc on the front of the building, with a suitable artistic angle (I wish!)

Yes it is a very busy intersection outside the hotel, put it down to a traffic lull mid-morning and masterful timing.

I did think about some cloning but just didn't have the energy, but I'll probably look at again!

Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[dje]

Nice series Dave. The Coronet flats lend themselves to mono and a nice conversion BTW. Their style though I think is more typical of the angular style of cubism rather than Art Deco but I'm no expert so I hold my hand up to that. There can't be a better example of a building being overshadowed than the Waterloo Hotel. Pity the architect of the modern buildings behind it didn't take some inspiration from the Hotel and make their designs blend in a bit more. I'd love to see the inside of no.3. Nice set.

Yes John I can't decide between mono and colour on that one, just different I guess. My expertise in architectural style is close to non-existent so I won't argue with you

Old buildings getting boxed in is a bit sad but un-avoidable i suppose with the constant march of progress. Thanks for commenting.

Dave

[dje]

Nice captures.

Thanks John

[Mike Buckley]

The image of the Waterloo Hotel is quite nice because of the background and the juxtaposition of the architectural styles that showcases the hotel's art deco style. Straightening the image will make it even more enjoyable.

[ShaneS]

My type of images Dave! Like Mike I really enjoy the contrast of old and new in the Waterloo Hotel image. The other two are very nice as well.

With these type of images I am always at a loss for the right vantage point and how to deal with light and power poles along with various street signs. While you expect them to be there it can be a bit of a challenge to find the 'right' place for them in a composition. In that regard I wonder if a position to the right of your vantage point on the Waterloo Hotel image will allow you to not have that one pole jutting through the words on the marquee.

I would love to see more of your neighborhood and happen to be a fan of both art deco and mid-century modern so keep on sharing.

Thanks.

[Tronhard]

Great Photos Dave!

If you are keen on Art Deco in particular I would recommend a trip across the Tasman to Napier NZ. The city was hit by an earthquake and subsequent fire that totally destroyed the downtown area. It was all rebuilt in the 1930's and is arguably the best example in the world of a predominantly art deco environment. It is, because of this, a world heritage site.

While the city has expanded, the planning requirements still demand that new building in the area have to be finished in the Art Deco style. Every February they hold an Art Deco weekend where many people hire suitable attire and visitors come from far and wide with period cars.

http://www.artdeconapier.com/History.html and http://www.artdeconapier.com/events.html

The area also has great wineries, and the weather is generally nice and warm. I hope this helps.

[dje]

The image of the Waterloo Hotel is quite nice because of the background and the juxtaposition of the architectural styles that showcases the hotel's art deco style. Straightening the image will make it even more enjoyable.

Thanks Mike. I had a look at the verticality. It is tricky in an image like this because there are so many verticals to consider and there is perspective "distortion" at the edges but I ended up rotating it about 0.4 degrees CCW. Any better ?

Dave

[dje]

My type of images Dave! Like Mike I really enjoy the contrast of old and new in the Waterloo Hotel image. The other two are very nice as well.

With these type of images I am always at a loss for the right vantage point and how to deal with light and power poles along with various street signs. While you expect them to be there it can be a bit of a challenge to find the 'right' place for them in a composition. In that regard I wonder if a position to the right of your vantage point on the Waterloo Hotel image will allow you to not have that one pole jutting through the words on the marquee.

I would love to see more of your neighborhood and happen to be a fan of both art deco and mid-century modern so keep on sharing.

Thanks.

Thanks Shane. Yes it would have been nice not to have that pole blocking the name. I was restricted in time and shooting position when taking this shot and did try a few different shots but this is the best I could do!

I will be looking for some more examples of this type of architecture and if i find anything worthwhile I'll keep you posted, so to speak.

Dave

[dje]

Great Photos Dave!

If you are keen on Art Deco in particular I would recommend a trip across the Tasman to Napier NZ. The city was hit by an earthquake and subsequent fire that totally destroyed the downtown area. It was all rebuilt in the 1930's and is arguably the best example in the world of a predominantly art deco environment. It is, because of this, a world heritage site.

While the city has expanded, the planning requirements still demand that new building in the area have to be finished in the Art Deco style. Every February they hold an Art Deco weekend where many people hire suitable attire and visitors come from far and wide with period cars.

http://www.artdeconapier.com/History.html and http://www.artdeconapier.com/events.html

The area also has great wineries, and the weather is generally nice and warm. I hope this helps.

Trev thanks very much for your comments and links to Napier. Those Kiwis have a lot of hidden gems over there and it is a photographer's paradise. I hope to get back there at some stage in the not too distant future. I haven't been to Napier before but will keep it in mind next time we visit.

Dave

[Rebel]

Nice shots Dave, I really like the first one.

The sky compliments the building well... its just a shame those 2 vehicles are there!

[Mike Buckley]

The revised one seems straight to me in the most important areas. Consider cropping on the left to eliminate the light pole, which isn't straight. Being so close to the frame, it's especially apparent and distracting that it isn't straight.

[dje]

Nice shots Dave, I really like the first one.

The sky compliments the building well... its just a shame those 2 vehicles are there!

Thanks Matt.

Dave