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    Feinknopf Documents Columbus Architecture Through Photography

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    If you spend any time at all looking at the websites of architectural and design firms (and we have been doing our share of that here at Columbus Underground in preparation for Design Week), you will see lots of impressive photos that document their work. We started to wonder who took those pictures, and upon looking into it were happy to learn about some very talented local photographers who specialize in taking pictures of architecture.

    Brad Feinknopf, whose work has been focused on architecture for 25 years, was recently selected by ArchDaily as one of the top photographers in the field. He shared some of his thoughts with us about his career, working with big-name photographers in New York, and the quality of architecture coming out of Columbus.

    Our full Q&A can be found below:

    Columbus Underground is celebrating Design and Architecture this week, brought to you by our friends at the Hamilton Parker Company. All this week we’re featuring articles on local architects, designers, creators, big thinkers and other creative professionals.

    Q: How did you get into the architectural photography business?

    A: Just like most people, the story is one that was neither planned nor strategic. My father and grandfather were both architects and I thought I would follow in their footsteps. I went to Cornell University to study facility planning and management as a lead-in to architecture. During my junior year, I had several friends who happened to be photography majors and they persuaded me to take my first photography course; after that first course I was hooked. Over my senior year I took every photography course I could cram into my schedule.

    After graduation, I moved to New York City where I had the good fortune to assist incredible photographers like Richard Avedon, Robert Mapplethorpe, Arnold Newman and Horst. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to return to Columbus and did so in the late ‘80’s. I initially worked with Jeff Rycus, doing work for Columbus Monthly Magazine and then I formed a partnership with Scott Cunningham. Since the mid ‘90’s however, I have been on my own. Back then, the internet didn’t really exist so everyone was a jack-of-all-trades and largely worked in their local markets. With the inception of the internet, it allowed for people to specialize more and reach a broader market.

    I think that after spending my early life looking at buildings and studying architecture, there was natural predilection towards architectural photography. So, over the last 25 years my focus has been increasingly on architecture. I must say, I really enjoy shooting people and portraiture as well, but my reputation has grown in such a way that architecture does constitute much of what I shoot these days.

    Q: What’s different about photographing architecture than other subjects?

    A: In one word, everything. I think the truth of the matter is that many people “think” they can shoot architecture but few really can. Back in the days of people being jack-of-all-trades, any photographer if called would say, “Yes, I can shoot a building for you”. They would show up on a sunny day and take a picture of the building from a 3/4 angle or set up their camera with their widest lens on in the corner and take a picture and consider themselves an architectural photographer. What they are doing is merely documenting the building. Architecture is not static, it changes. It changes over the course of the day. It changes over the seasons. It changes due to weather conditions. It is constantly in state of change.

    It takes many years of looking at architecture to fully appreciate and understand how to best approach it. Once you first have that foundation that only looking, seeing and understanding can provide, then you can more fully know how best to approach your subject. I have been fortunate to have been shooting for over 25 years and have logged countless hours shooting so I feel I am in a position to say that I know how best to approach, look at and photograph a piece of architecture and, hopefully, do it justice and NOT merely document the architecture.

    Q: What’s the most difficult job you’ve had?

    A: Every job has its challenges but I try not to look at things as being difficult. Difficult has a negative connotation to it and I would rather look at things more positively. Probably the shoot with greatest challenge was ultimately one with the greatest outcome; our Boston Convention Center shoot. In essence, we flew into Boston on Saturday for a five-day shoot. Because of a family emergency, I needed to return to Columbus almost the moment we landed in Boston. In turn, we returned to Boston on Monday morning and crammed five days of shooting into three.

    We worked approximately 20 hours each day and on day three with virtually no sleep, at dawn, we did a shot of the Boston Convention Center that remains my most notable. It has appeared on the cover of numerous books, published worldwide and will remain one of my favorites. Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy and I guess the Boston Convention Center shoot falls under that premise.

    Q: You’ve photographed lots of local architecture, but have also worked internationally – what are your thoughts on the architecture that is being produced in Columbus?

    A: I think there is a great deal of good work going on in Columbus these days. We are a far cry from where we were in the 1960’s when I was growing up in Columbus. Back then, there was the Lincoln Leveque Tower and not much else of note. The first critical project for the city was the Wexner Center for the Arts, the first Columbus building by a “signature” architecture of the modern era. Since the Wexner Center, we have had numerous buildings by many celebrated architects and I believe this has had a positive influence, not only within the city but also the local architects.

    This influx has pushed Columbus architects to design and create more progressive and thoughtful architecture. I think we as Columbusites far too often thing the grass is greener on the other side and tend to believe that somewhere else is doing better, but in truth, THERE IS SOME FANTASTIC WORK BEING DONE IN COLUMBUS. All one needs to do is take a part in the Center for Architecture’s Design Weeks and will become readily apparent that there is much good going on around this town.

    Q: Are there any exciting new projects that you’re currently working on, or looking forward to in the near future?

    A: I have the philosophy that everything is exciting. There isn’t a day that I do not look forward to going to work. Yes, there are some fun projects in the weeks and months ahead, but I also look to the future; as to what next year may bring and beyond. What is more exciting than merely the projects I photograph is the relationships I build with my clients. Over the years my greatest joy has been the relationships that I have built with my clients both big and small. My ability to be an asset to them, to live vicariously through their success – whether that be in awards, publications or the gaining of new clients – is far more fulfilling than the rush provided over the few days of working on a particular project.

    The process is long for a building: design and conception is often several years, and after I do my work, it is often several years before that design is recognized or published. So I feel as though I am, in essence, the midpoint for that process. The excitement is partially in the now, but more in what the future has to bring.

    More information can be found online at www.feinknopf.com.

    All photography by Brad Feinknopf.

    From September 23rd to September 29th, Columbus Underground is Celebrating Design Week, brought to you by the Hamilton Parker Company. With a 15,000 square foot showroom located just outside Downtown at 1865 Leonard Ave, the Hamilton Parker Company has been your go-to local resource for home and business improvement projects of all sizes and budgets. Find out more at www.hamiltonparker.com.

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    Brent Warrenhttps://columbusunderground.com/author/brent-warren
    Brent Warren is a staff reporter for Columbus Underground covering urban development, transportation, city planning, neighborhoods, and other related topics. He grew up in Grandview Heights, lives in the University District and studied City and Regional Planning at OSU.
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