Tuesday, May 01, 2007
National City Bank, Champaign, IL (03660023)
Comments:
Is this the back of the bank? If not then this is anonymity taken to new heights - at least there is an ATM. I tend to look at this as picking up a detail of urban landscape rather than as an exercise in light and shadow. I suppose the bank is pleased with the product but it doesn't enhance the landscape for those living near by or working in it.
I guess this is 4 drive through ATMs.
It is rather a clinical building and a rtather clinical presentation.
"anonymity taken to new heights"
That would be a good title for a book of a mid-western photos of a certain kind.
May be Robert Adams is right?
Hard to love anywhere that looks like this.
The picture is well anchored with the lines and circles on the right, and well finished with the light globe on the left. Considerably more imagination in the photo than in the architecture!
Champagne it ain't.
There is a lot to like in this shot. The intial blandness is soon replaced by some very strong verticles. The lamp at the end though such a small part of the overall frame does dominate the scene somewhat. Even though concrete abounds the little cresents of foilage add some life to the scene. It's also interesting to note how the detail in the shot fades as you move further in to it. I like this very much and each time I return to it I find even more to enjoy. Thanks!
I don't feel I have much to say about this, which is why I have so far said nothing. I've looked and looked -- and although I'm getting what was said by akikana, with the verticals and all -- my undoubtedly less sophisticated brain just keeps saying "unattractive bank building".
I will agree with Colin's statement "Considerably more imagination in the photo than in the architecture!"
Thanks for the comments everyone.
John, I'll be sure to credit the title to you when the book is published ;-)
The rest of the bank is not quite so hideously bland; it's actually a fairly respectable federalist style building. I think this was someone's idea of modernism. Champaign has some terrible architecture along this vein.
Colin, I'm assuming that you are referring to Adam's idea that there is beauty in these places. I'd probably tweak that a bit and say that the human eye wants to see beauty, no matter how uninspired the surroundings.
The print of this does a better job of showing the drama of the light and shadow. It's one of the first times I've had a print exceed what I see on the screen.
Matt,
I was more thinking of Robert Adams in depressed mood, as in this post:
http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/photowords/?p=311
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It is rather a clinical building and a rtather clinical presentation.
That would be a good title for a book of a mid-western photos of a certain kind.
Hard to love anywhere that looks like this.
The picture is well anchored with the lines and circles on the right, and well finished with the light globe on the left. Considerably more imagination in the photo than in the architecture!
Champagne it ain't.
I will agree with Colin's statement "Considerably more imagination in the photo than in the architecture!"
John, I'll be sure to credit the title to you when the book is published ;-)
The rest of the bank is not quite so hideously bland; it's actually a fairly respectable federalist style building. I think this was someone's idea of modernism. Champaign has some terrible architecture along this vein.
Colin, I'm assuming that you are referring to Adam's idea that there is beauty in these places. I'd probably tweak that a bit and say that the human eye wants to see beauty, no matter how uninspired the surroundings.
The print of this does a better job of showing the drama of the light and shadow. It's one of the first times I've had a print exceed what I see on the screen.
I was more thinking of Robert Adams in depressed mood, as in this post:
http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/photowords/?p=311