Albert Renger-Patzsch’s industrial photography shows an interesting perspective of abstract photos.

Key Characteristics:

1. Black and white palette: Renger-Patzsch’s photos are shown in black in white. Without many vibrant colors, it gives attention to contrast, light, and the form of the subject, creating a sense of abstraction.
2. Geometric shapes: Through unique angles in the photos of industrial sites, the pipes, windows, and buildings show many different shapes. This creates an abstract element, as the shapes are created through the different elements put together.
3. Lighting and Contrast: The use of lighting in the photos creates contrast between the background and the subject. It helps to show a sense of abandonment and decay. There is a variety of tones used in the photos, as the subject in the front is darker, while the background gets lighter.
4. Textural/Pattern Detail: His photography shows many details of the patterns and textures from the buildings and industrial sites. It can show detail in the unique buildings and machines but also emphasize the rough surfaces of the industrial sites.
5. Composition: These photographs often have a dynamic balance, with the placement of the subject and the background, creating visual interest but not following traditional symmetry.

Connection to my vision:

I chose Albert Renger-Patzsch as a photographer for my project because of his ability to turn rough industrial sites into abstract photography. This aligns with my vision of creating “Hidden Beauty” in the industrial sites of the 798 Art District. He focuses on different shapes, tones, and patterns in his photography, exploring the art behind these industrial sites. Many of the subjects he uses, such as pipes, windows, and machinery, are inspirations for me when I go to take photos. The unique angles he uses to make these photo motivates me to look closer at these industrial sites and take pictures focusing on overlapping subjects to create shapes, lines, and different textures and patterns from the surface of the machinery.

I chose this photo because it highlights the forgotten industrial sites through a unique angle of taking the photo, showing the different formal elements. The composition of the photo is very interesting, as Renger-Patzsch shows an interesting way of using the negative space and the subject.

I think that the symmetry in the photo is very surprising, as it is hard to find perfectly symmetrical buildings. This creates a sense of comfort, as the buildings in the background are symmetrical, leading up to the tallest building as the subject in the center. Also, the detailed textures of the buildings are also captured, showing the aesthetic of the industrial sites. There is also a high contrast between the buildings and the background, as it adds depth and complexity to the photo.

Formal Element: Shapes

I believe that the most important element in the photograph is shapes. Without the symmetrical cylindrical form of the buildings in the photo, it wouldn’t show the abstract aesthetic of the industrial sites. The buildings in the negative space show a cylindrical form, with a circular top. Through these shapes, it draws the viewers’ attention to the building in the center, which also shows the cylindrical form. The shapes create depth in the photo, showing the beauty of the dull buildings on the industrial site. Another detail is in the semicircle lines in the building in the center, which helps to create the form of the building. Through the tone of the buildings, there is a high contrast between the darkest cylindrical form buildings and the background, as there is a lighter tone for the building in the center. The tone also helps to create depth and contrast in the shapes, as it draws attention to the subject in the center of the photo.

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