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3 of 1000 DOCUMENTS
The Pioneer (India)
August 19, 2014 Tuesday

Architectural photography of past monuments of vital importance


LENGTH: 1165 words
DATELINE: India
India, Aug. 19 -- The World Photography Day is all about celebrating photography. It marks the 175th anniversary of
the first permanent photographic process patented and freely released to the world on August 19, 1839. The day is celebrated on August 19 because that was the day the French Government allowed the daguerreotype process to be known
to the world. The process had been invented by Joseph Nicephore Niepce and Louis Daguerre which was verified and
approved by the French Academy of Sciences, which dubbed the ability to capture an image using a camera onto a light
sensitive silver iodide plate as the Daguerreotype Process.
The day is dedicated to honour the artists who are in pursuit of immortalising those precious moments that seem to pass
us by in a minute. This year, the day is encouraging businesses, organisations and social groups to influence the power
of photography by engaging their communities as part of a global photography celebration.
Photography itself can have a powerful effect on architecture, not only as a means of record but through its communicative power that can be an aesthetic force for change or influence. From the very earliest days of its invention, the photographic medium has a particular resonance with architectural subject matters. The relationship was to some extent
born of necessity, buildings being one of the few subjects that would withstand long exposures, but the affinity goes
much deeper. Photography is also fundamental in shaping our understanding of the contemporary architectural design
practices.
The meaning of architecture is to be found in the expressive detailing of a structure, and is communicated to the viewer. Photographs extend the range of human vision and communicate aesthetic and symbolic qualities in architecture.
Architecture is one of the most appreciated art forms that date back to the time before the pyramids were erected. It
took many forms; even the simplest geometrical lines were considered architecture. As the years went on, more complex creations were introduced to the world. Today, each work of architecture depicts more than just a design; each
work carries an identity, distinct characteristics and meaning.
Architectural photography is commonly described as the form of photography that uses buildings and other structures
as subjects. It has many classifications, but the two most common and simplest types are Interior and Exterior Architectural Photography. Different types of photographs are captured in such a manner that define space and allow communication through aesthetic ideals that take on social, philosophical or religious meaning.
Architecture and photography concretise moments of beauty and provide visual expressions for existing and new
ideas. An exterior architectural photographer prefers scenes with good landscaping around a building. The main aim of
an exterior architectural photographer is to invite interest and curiosity among viewers. In this architectural photography, the most important element is space. This is why those taking interior and exterior shots of buildings and monuments use wide-angle lens. They'll be better able to capture the complete picture, including the aesthetic elements. This
greatly helps in establishing the focus and highlighting the character of a space or structure. An architectural photographer's techniques also help produce photos that add more dimension, life and meaning into an architectural creation. For
instance, while many people can recall what the Taj Mahal, Lotus Temple, Kutab Minar, Gol Gumbaz, etc., look alike,
most have never been to these places. A series of photographic depictions of such architecture construct a physical and
spatial mental image of space.

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Architectural photography of past monuments of vital importance The Pioneer (India) August 19, 2014 Tuesday

Photography provides a powerful way for architecture to be appreciated from a distance. Besides, architectural photographs enliven the memories of contemporary past. Many of the photographs from Odisha are available with the Archaeological Survey of India. These were captured by different tourists in the past. However, the structures are destroyed with the passage of time.
In the 1850s, Edouard-Denis Baldus, Hippolyte Bayard, Henri Le Secq, and Gustave Le Gray were commissioned by
the French Government to photograph historic buildings before they were destroyed during Haussmann's renovations of
Paris. There have been countless others who have contributed to this documentation of our environment, both built and
natural.
Odisha is quite rich in its heritage and houses many remarkable monuments of ancient times. Some exist in ruins and
many are totally destroyed. The photograph of this article is the representation of a massive two-storied gateway in
Bhubaneswar. This is from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections taken by William Henry Cornish in 1892.
Bhubaneswar has many Hindu temples built between the Seventh and the Thirteenth Centuries in the Odishan variant of
the Nagara or Northern Indian style of architecture. These temples normally comprise a sanctuary covered by a tall
curvilinear tower divided into horizontal bands and capped by an Amalaka and a pot finial. The square Mandap or hall
has a pyramidal roof. Most temples of Bhubaneswar are grouped around the Bindu Sagar, the tank in the middle of the
ancient town. This view shows a ruined unidentified gateway. This photograph is also available in the British Library.
Such photographs have been shared by all. However when photography didn't exist, those precious monuments couldn't be captured.
This clearly indicates that historical research and analysis is supported by photographic records. Analytical studies are
necessary to ascertain all the features of the edifice, including those which were not executed and those left unfinished
and those were destroyed. Geometric diagrams indicating modules or proportional systems and indications of design
techniques are also of the greatest interest. Old drawings and photographs may give a lot of information about the past
art forms.
Irregularities of shape and outline and damaged parts can be seen more clearly on photographs than by any other means,
hence vital for the purpose of documentation. Photographs also have many uses for publicity purposes in raising funds
for preservation of cultural property. Many historic monuments have been destroyed in warfare or by earthquake or other disasters. As an insurance against such events, full photographic records are advisable.
Photographs can revive the contemporary art and architecture of different monuments and structures which do not exist now. Their documentation will help study and research more on the contemporary art and architecture of our State.
(Dr Mayarani Praharaj works in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Pioneer. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
LOAD-DATE: August 18, 2014
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper
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