Write Through The Lens

29Seven in Lakeview District & The Node Strategy

2012-02-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

29Seven Project (Above and Below)

I attended a meeting last year that brought forth ideas on a revival strategy for downtown Birmingham. One theory described a concentric zone process to revive a city. The idea is not to choose one area of town to renovate but to have small nodes scattered throughout the city that already have cultural significance to build off of. That idea made a lot of sense to me and apparently it makes sense to many others because you can this process working today in the city. The new and beautiful Railraod Park around 1st avenue, the in-progress Birmingham Barons stadium, and now a new and really cool residential loft project named 29Seven in the historic Lakeview district. Its under construction right now and I have seen the renderings and it appears to be a hip place to live. You are a minute (maybe seconds) from Lakeview's swank nightlife and restaurants and five minutes away from the historic Highland Park area with parks, restaurants, and fine dining. I believe this strategy works because if a new building is built or renovated then others around should follow suit. Birmingham, or any city, needs cool and excited places to live, work, and play to bring culture, creativity, and money. I sense a revival in Birmingham....can I get an Amen?

"Node Strategy"

Details & Abstractions from New Orleans

2012-02-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

New Orleans is so rich of ornate and colorful architectural details. It's hard to walk a block in the French Quarter or the Garden District and not see an extravagant facade ornament or a colorful palette selection on a wall, a door, or a shutter. Here are some details and abstracts I captured recently on a trip to New Orleans and thought I would share them with you.

Behind the Scene of a Photoshoot

2012-02-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

Gabby Time Lapse Photoshoot from Chris Luker on Vimeo

EcoHome featuring The Cottages of Lakeshore

2012-02-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of EcoHome magazine is out and the feature story is of The Cottages of Lakeshore located in Homewood, Alabama on the grounds of the wonderful Lakeshore Foundation. The case study highlights the design and use of the community and much more. Please take some time and read more here: CLICK HERE

Luker Photography New Website

2012-01-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

I've been long overdue for a new website and at last the new Luker Photography website is here. Please check it out. CLICK HERE

The Essence of a Furniture Company II

2012-01-24T23:09:00.000-08:00

Thunderhouse Short Film

2012-01-17T08:11:00.001-08:00

Thunderhouse from Chris Luker on Vimeo.

So finally it's here. Please enjoy this three and a half minute short film highlighting the great design of the Thunderhouse.

The Essence of a Furniture Company

2011-12-14T23:23:00.000-08:00

You wouldn't believe the amount of hard work and literally long hours it takes to create a consumer catalog and every year and I say to myself, "I can't wait til next season to do it all over again". Shooting for a furniture company has taken me to some amazing locations, allowed me to capture some awesome photographs and I have developed some great relationships with colleagues. Outside of myself there are many people behind the photo frame to make a catalog happen. Everyone from the stylist, furniture designers, graphic designers, creative head, photography assistants, and laborers make a vision a reality. Thanks to all that made this happen! I hope you enjoy some of the photographs from the latest Summer Classics catalog. If you would like to find out more about Summer Classics you can click here.

Railroad Square and Its Beauty Within

2011-12-14T23:03:00.000-08:00

The Railroad Square building was built in the 1920's for the National Biscuit Company and now its home to the commercial real estate firm Shannon Waltchack and employee education company Enrollment Advisors. While studying the Shannon Waltchack office I felt my eyes bouncing around to one material to the other due to contrasting colors and textures of all the finishes. There was so much excitement with the interior and it felt as if it demanded and ushered an environment of creativity for its employees to a new way of thinking about selling and branding commercial properties. I could also feel a sense of time here as well. Original floors where horse drawn buggies would sit for loading, walls of red brick which are pretty common color for Birmingham buildings, and wooden beams were reused for finishes and furniture. Studying the Enrollment Advisors office as you can see was very white which made me feel very clean and organized. I also loved the way the employees bold color clothing worked almost as works of art against the while walls dancing back and forth performing a ballet of color while executing routine work tasks. I also like how the white walls receive the sunlight and reflect and diffuse a very natural and heavenly white light. You could turn every light off in this office and it would still be properly lit for reading and other tasks. Railraod Square was a very fun work of architecture to photograph and study and I hope these photographs give insight on what I experienced and felt.If you would like to find out more about this Railraod Square please click HERE

Thunder House In Motion

2011-12-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

The AIA Honor Award Winning "Thunderhouse" has now been captured in motion. Thanks to everyone who made this little project possible. To see more of the Architects work you can click here: Dungan and Nequette. If you would lke to see the awesome community of Silver Rock Cove you can click here.

Creative Head

Chris Luker

Cinematographer

Dylan Lard

Chris Luker

Editor

Greg Taylor

Hollywood, Homewood, Alabama Private Residence

2011-12-03T10:25:00.001-08:00

11 Bonita Street is a wonderful home I had the opportunity to photograph this Fall. In the past few years it had been renovated by the Birmingham architecural firm Dungan and Nequette. The style of architecture is Spanish Colonial Revival also referred to as Spanish eclectic which features white exterior stucco walls, little or no eave overhang, terracotta tiled roof, and usually an asymmetrical facade. As you will see in the photographs a beautiful master suite was added on the rear in a rustic/modern style wrapped in glass, mullions, copper, and reclaimed wood. The glass walls give way to a great view of a private garden and cozy exterior fireplace. The interior of this home is just as amazing as the exteriors, however, I can not show these to you yet until I get permission. I did some research on the town of Hollywood's orgin and Wikipedia had great information worth reading. Here is the link: CLICK HERE. More information about the Architect George Turner: CLICK HERE

Autumn and Architecture

2011-10-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~Stanley Horowitz

Autumn is here and its a great time to get outside and experience all the wonderful colors and cool weather. Its also a great time to photograph buildings in contrast with the changing leaves. I had talked earlier about how architecture should be documented in all four seasons and this is one reason why. The environment is in an ever changing state and so is the architecture. The light is different and the contrast of materials against foliage play dramatically with the viewers eye. I applaud communities that choose to have trees remain on site that maintain the integrity of the land, give residents sense of privacy and place, and also it allows beautiful photographs such as this to be made.

The Waters - Montgomery, Alabama

2011-10-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

When looking at a boat dock many people may not think of it as a public space as we would a park or plaza. I had the chance to photograph this amazing boat dock located in The Waters community in Montgomery, Alabama about a month ago and it broadened my horizon on my definition of a public space. I had been fishing on many docks before as a child but until I stepped back and observed this dock I never realized how important it could be to a community and how a dock could come to life as does a small town square comes to life in the morning hours. There were a constant circulation of activity as I saw fisherman, children playing, and a couple getting their engagement pictures made on this dock. I was happy to see the man above in this photo standing still taking in the beauty of the environment which granted great sense of scale to the structure. The dock is composed of all honest materials and its facade's is entirely of teak wood which has patina nicely and its roof is of cedar shake. I believe the environment and the structure are responding to each other very romantically here. Both site and structure witnessing the same sun, same weather, feeling the same breeze, and all aging and sharing experiences together as an elderly couple would to the end of life. Its very important for a structure to complement its site and its does here in extraordinarily fashion.

Cool Place To Live - Private Residence

2011-09-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

I recently photographed a private residence last month and thought I would share it with you. This home is in Southern Alabama on large plot of beautiful land which I believe had three different pastures separated by tree lines and cattle guards. Finally after literly what seemed five miles of dirt road you reach the home which is nestled at the edge of a slightly downward hill. On one side of the house are tall Southern Pines and on the oppisite side there's a very large feild of grass eventually ended at another wooded area of pine. In between this Southern landscape lies a country home made of honest materials and its color are all earth tones blending nicely- meshing with its surrounding as if its been there for years. The left side of the home recieved the early morning sun casting golden light into the side porch, front porch, and kitchen window.

The interior of the home has many great spaces. Each are a very thoughtful composition and also acting as a seamless whole. The kitchen is a great volume of space and has three facades of glass. One side recieves the eastern sun and the other side receives the western sun. The kitchen is joined to another great space- the two story living room. One out of many things I enjoyed about this space is the wooden staircase that leads to the loft and if I remember correctly there was not even a right angle on the railings. (The railing was so honest) The truth of materials is repeated throughout the house whether it be the rock fireplace, the wooden staircase railing, the wooden headers, or the cedar shake roof. All materials are how they once were and will always be.

It was a real pleasure photographing this home and learning something new about architecture. It always amazes me how architects can create these wonderful spaces we live in with such unique vision and creativity. Ahh!- What a beautiful house this is and a cool place to live........

A Thought About Architecture II

2011-09-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

There is no best time to photograph architecture.
Yes, that statement my be controversial but is there truth to it? Everyday we see buildings in various kinds of light and weather. So why not show the real experience to the viewer? Why should the photographer be confined to time, season, and weather when the approach should be to show the essence of the architecture and its surroundings as it is in everyday life. I have found that the materials of a building take on different textures in certain directions of light and reflect different colors throughout the seasons and different kinds of weather. Why not show this? You would loose this effect if you were only to photograph at 7:00am on a clear Summer day. Sure, that is a great time of day to photograph but there is so much more to light and architecture. One of my favorite seasons to photograph architecture is in the Winter when the trees are stripped of their leaves and reveal the homes they've been hiding all the other three seasons. There is something very minimalistic and structural to trees without leaves which can compliment the architecture in a way if the style permits. Many people would never choose to photograph a house or building in Winter if they want to glamorize it but I choose to document the life and truth of architecture. A building lives and breathes and it is important to show that simple little truth.

A Thought About Architecture

2011-08-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Its fascinating how much we can describe past experiences in buildings and homes. I once had a conversation with a fellow photographer regarding his memory of his old elementary school. He mentioned he could still remember the light that came through a certain window that flooding the room with natural light and also recalled other details of this room in detail. It's so fascinating how we can remember where doors were, that scary hallway, your grandmothers kitchen, the color of the walls, shape of the room, and so on. Architecture has a particular way of pointing us to a certain period in our lives. Its almost as if it adds a little more detail to our memories. A particular doorway you pass through today may remind you of a door you carried your wife through after your wedding day, or it could bring back thoughts rather forgotten. Architecture has the ability to usher epiphany, delight, happiness, and on the other hand sadness, fear, and regret.

A Memorable Building

2011-08-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

This small structure is located on Smith Lake in the community Silver Rock Cove and I've wanted to do a dusk shot of this for some time now. Its a very unique building and it serves as a cafe for its residence. During the dog days of the Alabama summer people can come here and get ice cream, soft drinks, hop on the internet via WIFI, and socialize. In any community it is important to have memorable buildings for its people. The communities of Sea Side, Edenton, Ross Bridge, and The Preserve are great examples of using memorable buildings mixed along side of residential housing. I believe this ensures a better chance of creating a thriving sense of community where people will want to live and vacation and also creating a unique sense of place.

Cool Place To Live-Private Residence on Smith Lake

2011-07-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a really awesome house I photographed this summer and wanted to share it with you. Its located on Smith Lake in Alabama. I love the idea that architecture never exist in isolation. Architecture should respond to the site and the site should respond to the architecture. My earlier post of Silver Rock Cove is a great example of this. The home featured here does a remarkable and noteworthy job in doing so and the home is in total respect of the natural spring that runs below it which yields two heavy geometric forms linked by a sleek steel glazed catwalk. I can't help but think of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater design when I see a home honor its environment so well. The interior is just as amazing. Art exist to challenge and as artistic statement as this may be to you there is no challenge of comfort on the inside. Architectural statements have popped up all over the world but it has to serve the resident with comfort and be livable. Its not easy living in a work of art but when aesthetics and comfort coexist it is truly great. When walking through the front door your eye is carried outside through a axis door on the opposite wall which overlooks beautiful Smith Lake. The interior walls are cladded and lines are created everywhere and adds texture and creates visual candy for the eye. The glass catwalk houses the living room with views of the natural spring and Smith Lake. The catwalk also has a visual lightness about it that makes one feel as if floating in mid-air. All rooms have views of Smith Lake and all the walls are painted in a pleasant neutral tone that reflects light so well and soaks ever inch of the room with a soothing white light.

I hope the photographs explain what I could not put into words.

The Cottages of Lakeshore

2011-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

I recently photographed the Cottages of Lakeshore that was designed by Dungan and Nequette Architects. This is a community that houses injured veterans that prepare them for a better future and thanks them for their sacrifice and service to the military. The community is located on the property of the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama and features a common area, fountain, grilling area, and six cottages that can house the veterans family. Aside from the stunning beauty of the design I had the opportunity to experience a great sense of community while I was here. On my second day of photographing I looked out my window and it appeared it might rain, however, I chose to go anyway in hopes I may capture some great light and as I arrive, no rain in sight. What I had found was veterans outside with their wives and kids, immediate family members stepping outside on their front porch to take advantage of the cooler summer temperatures, veterans in conversation by the fountain and, children playing ball in the common area. I believe I experienced true community and witnessed the power of great design come to life. Its one thing to design a community but when it you see it breath its even more special and you realize this is what great design can do.

The Dome Home, Pensacola, FL

2011-07-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

I had an assignment in Pensacola, FL earlier this week and came across this cool gem. It had me asking myself, when did this thing land and where are the little green men? The locals call it The Dome Home and its located in Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico, which is notorious for hurricanes. The Dome Home has withstood some of the most powerful storms with very minor damage mainly because of its shape. What a great shape to surround a home in if you live on the coast. I thought this would be a cool home to share with you and a little less serious than the post before. Please excuse the quality of the photograph as my Canon 5D broke and I had to snap this with a cell phone.

Storm Shelter or Dwelling?

2011-06-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

I’ve made a trip to Cullman County, Alabama every month for about a year now and have developed a great love for this land. Its beautiful pastures, aging barns, rolling hills, and people make up the southern fabric of what I have come to appreciate and love. I even enjoy the passing of on coming cars as the locals raise an index finger to signal a kind gesture of “hello”. Across this landscape I have noticed there are storm shelters nestled into small hills and for some reason they always caught my eye and naturally my curiosity began. I started asking myself what attracts me to these simple structures and began to recognize these small objects are just a primitive form of dwelling. These shelters provide a very basic need of architecture: they shelter from the elements. Yes, it is just a storm shelter, even vernacular, however, I think it is so much more. The Cullman County shelters have a very basic and consistent design as you can see in the photographs and they are all made of similar materials. The design is simple but every now and again a little detail may be added to express individuality. Each shelter has certain uniqueness and states certain creativity about its owner and strangely it reminds me of weird fashion trends and the feathers in women hats as a personal expression. I also think what people may remember while in these shelters. Did these structures save lives and what kind of emotions must have been felt while a horrible storm was passing over their head. The fear of death, the jubilation of surviving, and the sense of security all must have happened in these small unnoticeable objects. As a side note- the photographs featured are were taken on a 4x5 view camera, Polaroid Land Camera and a 35mm film camera. I also will be posting more of these shelters throughout the year.

Any thoughts on everyday structures that have deeper meaning? Please leave a comment.

Silver Rock Cove

2011-06-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

On the Conservation

When I first arrived at Silver Rock Cove, it was a peninsula covered in trees and absent of homes. It’s been almost four years since developer, Carter Hughes, commissioned me to photograph the development. During that time I have witnessed an amazing transformation. The raw beauty I discovered on my first impression is still present today. The land retains its wildness. I can still see a Luna Moth resting on a rock, beautiful grey sandstone boulders home to brilliant green moss, a southern pine towering overhead, or two oaks framing a picturesque view of Smith Lake. Conservation has played a large role in this development. What SRC has changed has been done with respect to nature with recycled railroad ties, new seedlings, and flagstone entrances, all adhering to the integrity of the land.

On the Architecture

The architecture at Silverock Cove responds to the site and the site returns the favor. I have noticed a relationship here between design and environment that creates a special tension. The architecture and site work in harmony. Wood-clad homes function as lake cabins surrounded by woods, reminding me of what a cabin would have looked like many years ago. In Vincent Skully’s book The Natural and the Manmade, he describes Palladio’s villas as having a tension between vernacular tradition and stylistic rhetoric. At Silverock Cove, the tradition of the cabin plays off the traits of old mountain homes and barns in addition with clean lines, refined spaces, and rustic natural elements in details and materials. Scully describes this duality as practical and romantic with the land. This community is special. It works and is totally in tune with its purpose and environment. Silverock Cove is more than a community, it’s more than a retreat. It is a work of art.

Silverock Cove interiors have an abundance of windows—sometimes from the floor to the ceiling, other times not. Bathed in natural light, these interiors become an extension of the exterior. Views are virtually unobstructed of the beautiful Silverock Cove environment. This relationship allows the dweller to experience nature from the comfort of a favorite sofa or chair. Phillip Johnson’s iconic Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut is a great example of this extension from interior to exterior space. Louis Kahn asked the question, “What does the building want to be?” A home in Silverock Cove answers with seamlessness between inside and out, twenty-first century cabin with timeless, ageless appeal.

On the Photography

Honestly, words fail in conveying the qualities of Silver Rock Cove. I am grateful for the language of photography. An actual onsite, physical experience is the only way to grasp the relationships I’ve described, but hopefully my photographs will inspire a viewer to see and explore this unique community in person. I try to capture something larger than the individual, not out of interest in self-expression, but in an attempt to connect with what is visually there, the communion between architecture and surroundings. I try to capture moments that resonate in my soul and communicate it through photographs.

Sense of Place- New Orleans

2011-06-18T15:02:00.001-07:00

Ah, New Orleans, home of Louis Armstrong, Café Du Monde, and the infamous Bourbon street. An oasis for musicians, artist, culinary sophisticates, and other things I dare not mention. New Orleans has within it some of America’s oldest neighborhoods dating back to the 18^th century and many of them embody a great quality of “sense of place”. To quote a famous architecture critic, Paul Goldberger, “In an age where we can be anywhere, what does it mean to be somewhere?” In other words are we creating meaningful and memorable places our kids and generations will want to live and visit. That question has always resonated with me and reminds me that the making of place is so important. Will we create places that spawn and influence creativity, culture, and community, and a higher quality of life? In the age of the automobile, webcams, and television, I can’t help but wonder if we will loose the curiosity to experience and explore. Technology will never satisfy the great occasion of walking the French Quarter streets and feeling a true sense of place, and the feeling you can see the arch of time, the colorful visual stimulation where broad palates of pastels, whites, and warm colors are the vertical fabric of facades all specific and fashionable to a certain period in French Quarter history. The smell of coffee from cafes, whiskey from bars, Creole food, and even the bizarre odor of aging are strangely memorable to making of place. Nothing can replace the experience of Jackson Square watching the artist sell their work, jazz musicians playing their music, and absorbing the view of the public and monumental buildings from a plaza park bench. I encourage on your next vacation to find out what makes where your destination are so special. Ask yourself, what brings me back to this place or what made me come here in the first place? Remember to take in the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations all around you. I have done this in New Orleans and I must say it holds a very special place in my heart.

Do you have a favorite town or city that has a “great sense of place” and what makes it so memorable to you? Please share your comments …