Barry Goldman Received his
Fellowship in Architectural
Photography
photography
Architecture, to quote Constatin Brancusi, is inhabited sculpture. It ranges from the world’s most complex and expensive art forms to the humblest. It encompasses life. Accompanying this short resume are a few of my interpretations of this: from modest to monumental, city, construction, detail, heritage, rural, surreal and decay.
I am fortunate to work with many well-known architects and recently photographed Peter Rich at his Mapungubwe Interpretation Center masterpiece which won for him both the World’s Best Building and the World’s Top Architect awards.
On occasion I find myself working on the same project for a number of related companies, including the Lead, Interior, landscape and Heritage architects, electrical & structural engineers, lighting and cladding specialists (e.g. STATS SA).
Just over 40 years ago I received a scholarship to study photography at the London College of Printing and on graduating freelanced for various UK organizations and publications including Conde Naste, Penguin and Penthouse. Whilst living there was commissioned by a number of South African publications and AD agencies. Never been gainfully employed but have survived as a full time pro photog since I was 21.
Returned home and opened my studio in downtown Jozi. Wide screen multimedia presentations were the commercial/creative buzz at that time. Brought the first computerized optical printer into the country and moved into supplying specialized photography and graphics to Media, AD agencies and AV production companies.
Branched out into creating my own productions which included launching British Telcom in India, presentations in Kuwait, 360-degree productions for Transnet, stereoscopic launches for Xerox and the CT Waterfront. Did numerous productions for corporates as diverse as KFC, Siemens and Sun International. Even directed the live OB of Bishop Tutu’s inauguration as Bishop of Johannesburg. Been around the block a few times.
For me the days of large studios, mountains of equipment and staff are long gone. Now I hire freelance folk, studios and equipment as needed. Sure, I have more than a passing nostalgia for the Hasselblads, 6 x 7 Pentaxs, 6 x 17 Linhofs, 8 x 10 Sinars, Marron Carrol’s, Polaroids and even the eco awful E6 processing from that analogue era, but more importantly, the discipline and experience gained from it is priceless today ……. and better still, no more overdrafts!
Today, with my Canons and a handful of lenses I can accomplish more in less time and at far less cost. My first editing program was a rudimentary Corel Draw. For over 22 years I’ve been living in Photoshop and feel naked without my computers.