Julius Shulman: The Man Behind the Lens
Julius Shulman (1910 – 2009) was an American architectural photographer. He captured the image that would represent modern architecture in Los Angeles during the 20th century. His work was contained in virtually every book published on modernist architects.
Shulman's work went well beyond merely taking beautiful pictures of houses and buildings. His mission was to use his photography to build the reputation of the architects who were bringing innovative design to the West. His photographs were, by and large, all that most people would ever see of noted architects’ works. With his photographs of homes and buildings it brought fame to a number of mid-20th century modernist architects.
Chuey House 1958 - Richard Neutra
Kaufmann House 1947 - Richard Neutra
Some of his architectural photographs, like the iconic shots of Frank Lloyd Wright's or Pierre Koenig's remarkable structures, have been published countless times. The brilliance of buildings like those by Charles Eames, as well as those of his close friends, Richard Neutra and Raphael Soriano, was first brought to light by Shulman's photography.
The clarity of his work demanded that architectural photography had to be considered as an independent art form. Each Shulman image unites perception and understanding for the buildings and their place in the landscape. The precise compositions reveal not just the architectural ideas behind a building's surface, but also the visions and hopes of an entire age. A sense of humanity is always present in his work, even when the human figure is absent from the actual photographs.
case study #21
case study House #22 -Pierre Koenig
case study #22 (daytime pool)
He is perhaps best known for his photograph Case Study House #22, 1960, the architect being Pierre Koenig.
Case Study Houses was a residential experiment sponsored by the Arts & Architecture magazine, introducing the modern movement ideas for affordable and efficient housing during the post-war years in the US.
The incredible photos of these houses reflected more than just pure architecture, it was displaying a lifestyle. He made the architecture seem complete together with the sense of life.
Shulman's work went well beyond merely taking beautiful pictures of houses and buildings. His mission was to use his photography to build the reputation of the architects who were bringing innovative design to the West. His photographs were, by and large, all that most people would ever see of noted architects’ works. With his photographs of homes and buildings it brought fame to a number of mid-20th century modernist architects.
 |
| Chuey House 1958 - Richard Neutra |
 |
| Kaufmann House 1947 - Richard Neutra |
Some of his architectural photographs, like the iconic shots of Frank Lloyd Wright's or Pierre Koenig's remarkable structures, have been published countless times. The brilliance of buildings like those by Charles Eames, as well as those of his close friends, Richard Neutra and Raphael Soriano, was first brought to light by Shulman's photography.
The clarity of his work demanded that architectural photography had to be considered as an independent art form. Each Shulman image unites perception and understanding for the buildings and their place in the landscape. The precise compositions reveal not just the architectural ideas behind a building's surface, but also the visions and hopes of an entire age. A sense of humanity is always present in his work, even when the human figure is absent from the actual photographs.
 |
| case study #21 |
 |
| case study House #22 -Pierre Koenig |
 |
| case study #22 (daytime pool) |
Case Study Houses was a residential experiment sponsored by the Arts & Architecture magazine, introducing the modern movement ideas for affordable and efficient housing during the post-war years in the US.
The incredible photos of these houses reflected more than just pure architecture, it was displaying a lifestyle. He made the architecture seem complete together with the sense of life.
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