For my senior project, I want to do a personal photography study. When considering what I wanted to do for this project, I tried to think of something I’ve always wanted to do but never got the chance. I’ve always wanted to take a photography course and learn more about the specific types of photography and the different ways it’s used to learn about various topics. I’ve always had a secret passion for Europe, specifically, and its intriguing architecture. More specifically, I was drawn in by the stained glass that is very common in religious buildings and I am excited to learn and see how it’s different in Europe versus NYC. When I visited France, I fell in love with the beautiful architecture and the history behind each monument.
I want to compare, contrast, and learn about European and NYC architecture. I am really interested to research how we’ve interpreted and integrated European architecture into our city over many years. I’ve found it really easy to walk from place to place in NYC and miss what we are surrounded by. One of my essential questions is: what can we find in the city when we stop to look? I’ve always loved the endless amount of hidden jewels that NYC has, and I want to discover more of those and learn the history behind them. I want to uncover what is not seen when you’re in a rush on your way to work or going out to lunch with a friend. One of my goals out of this project is to show those around me what they’ve been missing and teach them about the historical architecture that they pass on an everyday basis.
Even though I have lived in NYC my whole life, there are still several landmarks that are known for their beautiful architecture, that I still haven’t visited. I would love to visit the Ansonia Hotel, the Flatiron Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity Church, Grand Central Terminal, the Plaza Hotel, Ellis Island, and Belvedere Castle. After a little research, it seems these historic buildings and landmarks would be a good place to start since they reflect the Renaissance and Gothic architecture revivals in NYC. I also want to look for interesting stories of architecture in places you’d never expect, the locations that aren’t well known and famous. I want to shed light on the overseen and disregarded places and bring their architecture and history to the forefront.
During this project, I will visit, photograph, and research these landmarks, and others, to gain a deeper understanding of the history of their architecture, how they were inspired, and learn how architecture in NYC is overlooked and uncover what is not seen by the average New Yorker. I know that this project will mostly entail extensive and detailed research, but I am extremely intrigued by and prepared for it.