John Gollings: Eye for Architecture (ATOM Study Guide)

Eye For Architecture journeys into the world of cutting-edge architecture in Australia and Asia through the lens of renowned architectural photographer John Gollings. A Gollings photograph can turn an ordinary building into art, helping it get published or win an award. We join Gollings on a journey from ancient cities in India and Cambodia to the modern face of China and Australia, seeing his influences and what it takes to create memorable images.

When it comes to winning awards or major contracts, a Gollings photograph can give an edge to an architect's design; an attention-grabbing, inventive, strong twilight shot – the so-called 'hero shot' with a slightly exaggerated wide angle – can turn an ordinary building into art.

'The buildings tell me what to do, I'm not the director of the shot. I can get in the helicopter, but then I have to fly around the sky until the building puts on its makeup and displays itself to me and then hopefully I can go "snap".'
– John Gollings

At sixty-five, the wiry, irreverent Gollings is known as the unofficial curator of Australian architecture, such is the power of his eye and ability to get a building published.

He lives in Melbourne, Australia, a city known for its innovative modern architecture. Top Australian architects, including Cassandra Fahey, Barrie Marshall (Denton Corker Marshall), Rob McBride and Deb Ryan (McBride Charles Ryan) and Ian McDougall (Ashton Raggatt McDougall), share their stories about the man.

But while his passion is documenting cities and reflecting urban space, his muse is not the modern world but the ancient cities of Asia.

Eye For Architecture follows Gollings on a photographic journey through the rapidly changing cities of Australia and China. We travel with Gollings to ancient cities in India and Cambodia to show how these magnificent places have influenced his work. Here he reveals his insecurities, despite being recognised as one of the world's top architectural photographers.