photography
Most studios are either one interrupted area or an annexed area but the studio below has a more interesting layout. Were the bedroom to have windows and a door, it could be legally called a bedroom but it remains a studio, and a unique one to boot.
“A pop of color” is a phrase I often hear when photographing interior design. With more minimalist designs that utilize subtle and muted tones, one can use a well-placed object to provide an exclamation point to the scene which provides an accent. Even without much post processing, I’ve noticed my camera and lenses (all Canon) are all very good at capturing color - sometimes too much. It’s something I’ve leaned into with shooting which perhaps is something to consider - whether the types of tools a photographer uses can shape their aesthetic as much as viewing other photos in the world.
In New York where real estate is costly and most restaurants have tables pressed up against one another, it’s unique to find a space like this, that is not only spacious but contains multiple dining rooms. Because of the different spaces, this restaurant was tricky to photograph as the restaurant was poised to open mere hours after the shoot. One tricky element of shooting interiors is making sure people and things are clear from all the frames. Many photos I’ve taken have people hovering mere inches from outside the frames but you’d never know.
Le Bernadin is a world-renowned three-Michelin star fine dining restaurant in NYC and it was an honor to shoot it. The space definitely has a vibe that aims towards an older crowd - it’s dark, modern but not overtly contemporary and very warm. When photographing restaurant interiors I usually don’t have a ton of time as the space is set for service, which is often impending. I really had to zip through this space but it wasn’t an overtly complicated floorplan so it wasn’t too much of a challenge. The staff was very cooperative, which can sometimes be rare when shooting restaurants since photography is a low priority when the doors are about to open for service.
Photographing darkness is hard. The FIDI restaurant that I shot the interior photos for was well lit but had a large black disc at the end of one of the walls. Not only was it black, but it was reflective which made taking the photos a little difficult. Luckily, the shape was rear-lit which provided some depth, preventing the circle from looking like a porthole. Interior photography can always be challenging but there are some challenges that the photographer just can’t predict. You can see the photos in action on Chikarashi Isso’s website.
I tell my clients that, no matter the weather, we can get a great looking shot that will have ample light and showcase the space well. While that is true, there is no replacement for a great sunny day. Much like a plant, an interior photographer thrives in the daylight and it’s been a terribly rainy winter in NYC this season. The shoots have continued and light has been produced (sometimes you can get a really great soft light from a cloudy day in photos) but there’s some very unique and dynamic to a photo with some beautifully angled sunlight.
It’s widely known that a wide angle lens is a popular choice when photographing interiors, but, particularly with interior design, one can easily find some creativity shooting with a longer lens. Details and vignettes are such a key element of shooting interiors - not so much when shooting real estate - that photographing with a medium or longer lens can really elevate the photos and give an alternative perspective on a space.
I photographed this beautiful unit and was amazed with the staging work done. The owner had lived here for almost 30 years but had since moved. Because of that, the apartment needed to be staged and the owner was able to impressively stage this unit in only 3 days.
Photographing a ground floor unit is always tricky because the light isn't usually as good as the units on higher floors; however, the designers of this unit placed as many large windows as they could to maximize the light - they also picked a neighborhood where most buildings don't stretch beyond 3 stories.
I started Gotham Interiors when I moved back to New York in 2013 and didn't even consider a blog/journal/space to share my thoughts but here I am and here they come. For my first post I'm sharing a photo of one of my favorite places in NYC: Perry St. A gorgeous restaurant that has beautiful light emanating from the adjacent West Side Highway. Despite all the traffic, you don't hear a peep. You just enjoy the wonderful interior space and the even more wonderful food.
