Sebastian Weiss

Sebastian Weiss is a German Photographer that mainly works with abstract creations in monolithic architectural spaces. His experiences have vastly influenced his style in photography. Specifically, he studied at the Technical University in Dresden during the 1990s. He majored in civil engineering, allowing him to build close connections to different architectures. During his time, this deep contact inspired him to capture the creative viewpoints of a building; therefore, as much as he had a deep passion for the construction of structures, he shifted his focus to more of the building’s essence. I have chosen this photographer to focus on in-depth in as his photographs align closely with my vision, which strives to provoke stillness through the techniques of minimalistic compositions and minimal subjects, capturing the essence of architecture.

Five Characteristics:

-Modern

-Minimalistic

-Essence

-Shapes/patterns

-Symmetry

Above are the five characteristics that commonly appear in the works of Sebastian Weiss. His photographs have minimalistic subjects, consisting of only the modern structure and the clear blue sky. To achieve this type of composition, he zooms in on the scenery, thereby capturing only a particular section of the building rather than the whole building. His works, however, are not always of simple-pattern architectures, but can also include complex ones, demonstrating the shapes created through the almost symmetrical view.

One photo I find particularly compelling is:

I have chosen this photo as I am drawn to the shapes created by the structure. The building itself is irregularly shaped; it is a modern building where rectangle-shaped concrete elements construct a pattern of geometric forms and lines. The protruded concrete creates shadows that form a sharp color contrast between the dark shadows and the light concrete wall. This use of shapes, one of the Formal Elements, is especially important in this photograph. It not only creates a color contrast but the rectangular figures create an irregular pattern, emphasizing the texture and form of such a building. Personally, I enjoy this style. Its austere appearance reinforces the form and structure, emphasizing the essence of the structure. Ultimately, this style is structured in a in which I will aim to adapt to my own photography set. The photos above inspire me as it effectively incorporate the concept of structures in modern architecture. In my photos, I also hope to showcase the essence of structures through the use of minimal composition and a variety of shapes, which are aligned with Sebastian Weiss’ photography.