In honor of World Photo Day (August 19th) ArchDaily wanted to thank the photographers who bring to life the projects that we publish every day. So we asked architects to weigh in on the work of some of our most-appreciated architecture photographers. Here, Shaun Lockyer writes on behalf of Scott Burrows.
While good architecture will always need to be experienced in the flesh to properly understand its true joy and complexity, the reality is that this will not be possible for most disciples of architecture. Our work needs, by necessity, to promote itself more broadly in a way that is accessible to all who are interested. Architectural photography is the conduit through which most potential clients and followers will get to engage with our work so we need to take this seriously and invest heavily in it. By consequence, our work needs to be captured and depicted in a way that tells an honest but provocative story that engages the prospective client. I have worked with Scott for more than 10 years where we have learned how to bring the best out of our respective work. As a passionate photographer myself, I am challenged and provoked Scott (and I do the same in return) about ways to depict space, treat perspective, occupy space and the light conditions to do this all in. Scott has taken all of our photos of every project and despite an evolution in skill and equipment, he has maintained a wonderful consistency and quality that has transcended fashion and trend (which is really important to us). Scott’s work has been timeless and enduring which is a value we seek in our work as well, so our fundamental starting points are the same albeit the outputs different.
It would be a massive oversight not to credit Scott with a great deal of the media attention and support we have enjoyed over the years. His work is outstanding and he continues to improve where others may become complacent. I welcome his creative input and feel very lucky to have him interested in our work and someone who I consider a friend as well! We don’t consider a project complete until it has been captured by Scott with all of my office in attendance to celebrate the collective achievement. Our clients in turn have also come to enjoy this milestone in the project and now seem to play and active role in the photoshoot itself!
