In Focus is Archinect's new series of features dedicated to profiling the photographers who help make the work of architects look that much better. What has attracted them to architecture? How do they work? What type of equipment do they use? What do they think about seeing their work in blogs?
In this feature, we talk to Catalan photographer Jordi Miralles.
Archinect: What is your relationship with architecture? What drew you to architecture, as a photographer?
Jordi Miralles: Since I was a child, I like very much photography. After graduating in technical architecture at the Polithecnical Barcelona University, I was employed as technical architect at a prestigious company of construction settled in Barcelona. When I finished my work journey, I spent my free time studying in the photographic Studies Institut of Catalonia.
My knowledge of architecture and photography made me able to join work and vocation devoting myself completely to the photography. That’s why I know and I am skilled in architecture photography.
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Apartment Superspazio, Milan, Italy, Alberto Francini, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Apartment Superspazio, Milan, Italy, Alberto Francini, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Ron Ron, Costa Rica, Victor Cañas, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Ron Ron, Costa Rica, Victor Cañas, Photography by Jordi Miralles
Describe how you work... who are your clients?
JM: I bear much in mind the style of the client. I study the project and have an interview with the client to have an accurate idea of his wishes. I study and develop my own point of view and then the big work is to mix all the concepts -- and create good images.
My clients are architects, designers, constructions companies, hotels, editorials.
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Casa L-4, Costa Rica, Jaime Rouillon, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Portas Novas, Costa Rica, Victor Cañas, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Portas Novas, Costa Rica, Victor Cañas, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Tamarit, Spain, Mario Fernandez Gonzalez, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Tamarit, Tarragona, Spain, Mario Fernandez Gonzalez, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Costa Brava, Spain, Jordi Garces, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Costa Brava, Spain, Jordi Garces, Photography by Jordi Miralles
Do you mostly work in a specific region? What is your travel schedule like?
JM: I work firstly in Spain because that is where I live (Barcelona). Fortunately in this country, there is very good architecture, and so my works mostly are done here.
I couldn’t say how many travels I do per year. It depends on the clients. I have clients settled for example in New York or Costa Rica, and whenever they have beautiful projects commission me for the photographic report. So I travel to various countries around the world.
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Casa Port Lligat Girona, Spain, Nando Torrent, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Pinemar, Barcelona, Spain, Octavi Mestre, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Casa Santpedor, Barcelona, Spain, Jordi Freixanet, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Clinica Dental Nart, Barcelona, Spain, Guillermo Bañares, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Loft, Brooklyn, New York, USA, Slade Architecture, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Lobby Avalon, New York, USA, Slade Architecture, Photography by Jordi Miralles
What is your goal when capturing buildings in photographs?
JM: A part of the photographic architecture report consists of capturing in photos the project of floor and views plans that the architect draws in his plans. So I try to capture in the picture the architectural vision of the building, adding my personal artistic style.
What are your thoughts about including people in your photos? Is it important to photograph a building in use, or by itself?
JM: I would say that I prefer the building clear of people. I look for the architectural purity. But sometimes, setting people helps to give the suitable proportion of the architectonic space.
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Hotel AC Baqueira, Spain, AC Hotels, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Hotel AC Forum, Barcelona, Spain, AC Hotels, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Hotel Barcelo Raval, Barcelona, Spain, Jordi Gali Camprubi, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Hotel Confortel Atrium, Madrid, Spain, Rafael de la Hoz, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Hotel Eurostars, Madrid, Spain, GCA Arquitectes, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Hotel Me, Barcelona, Spain, AIA Navarro Salazar, Photography by Jordi Miralles
What are your favorite pieces of equipment?
JM: Before digital, I used a Hasselblad and Sinar as best equipment. I have very good memories of the hassel, especially because it was giving square format. I believe that the square format is a challenge at the time of defining spaces in photo and simultaneously a solution.
Now I use a Digital Canon Eos Ds mark III, with extractable optical to correct perspectives. It is a panoramic format, but also I keep on playing with reframing squared at the time of doing the post production.
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Estadi Futbol, Reus, Spain, Mamen Domingo & Ernest Ferrer, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Oficines Caixa Laietana, Barcelona, Spain, GCA Arquitectes, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Oficines Hines, Barcelona, Spain, AIA Navarro Salazar, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Parc Recerca Biomedica, Barcelona, Spain, Pineda & Brullet, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Parc Recerca Biomedica, Barcelona, Spain, Pineda & Brullet, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Restaurant Evo, Barcelona, Spain, GCA Arquitectes, Photography by Jordi Miralles
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Torre Agbar, Barcelona, Spain, Jean Nouvel & B720 Arquitectos, Photography by Jordi Miralles
Do you work alone?
JM: I work with my assistant and sometimes, if the magazine/editorial needs it, I have to work with stylists.
How do you feel about seeing your photographs on blogs and websites?
JM: I think that it is an excellent way of spreading my work as well as the architects and designers. The fact that most of blogs pay nothing for publishing my photos is a topic that I do not like and that worries me. I believe that in the long run, it can be harmful to everybody and that in the future it must be solved.
Jordi Miralles Sambola was born in Barcelona in 1963.
Professional degree in Técnic Architecture in 1990 at Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona.
Professional degree in 1993 at Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya.
Started working as Tècnic Architecte in a well-known building enterprise in Barcelona in 1990, and it was there that he developed his interest for photography, especially architecture photography.
His professional dedication to architecture & design photography began in 1994.
In 2001, his photographic report “U.S.A. Style Live” for Editorial Loft Publications, was published in 3 languages.
His reports are published periodically in magazines and editorials worldwide.
1 Comment
"In this feature, we talk to Catalonian photographer Jordi Miralles"
you mean, to a "Catalan" photographer, not Catalonian.. -ans, -ers, -nians, etc., are people from a city, not a nation. Barcelonians are Catalans, Berliners are Germans, Chicagoans are Americans.
nice photography work, but those pics credited to AIA Navarro Salazar are actually projects by Dominique Perrault (AIA, which has nothing to do with the US' organization, is an architectural engineers office from Barcelona). And the EVO restaurant is actually a project by Richard Rogers, GCA are, again, only collaborators (local architects who are mostly known by their interiors work).
And, "Tècnic Architecte" = quantity surveyor.
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