Documentary Topographics
The question stands; why would this picture be different from a Real Estate advertisement?
Both would show a structure in an uncritical manner. The difference being -- a Real estate 'document' photo has an intent of use while a 'documentary' style New Topographics photo is a useless image. This is not semantics, but a purpose of use by the photographer at the time of making the image.
reference; Szarkowski.
Plus, "In a NT picture one cannot understand the structure without understanding the landscape and conversely."
Addendum: it is difficult for me to comprehend and subsequently digest the idea of ‘useless’ pictures being worthy of inclusion into the New Topographics genre. But I acquiesce to photography historians who are well adept in this field.
Documentary Topographics
The question stands; why would this picture be different from a Real Estate advertisement?
Both would show a structure in an uncritical manner. The difference being -- a Real estate 'document' photo has an intent of use while a 'documentary' style New Topographics photo is a useless image. This is not semantics, but a purpose of use by the photographer at the time of making the image.
reference; Szarkowski.
Plus, "In a NT picture one cannot understand the structure without understanding the landscape and conversely."
Addendum: it is difficult for me to comprehend and subsequently digest the idea of ‘useless’ pictures being worthy of inclusion into the New Topographics genre. But I acquiesce to photography historians who are well adept in this field.