Author: noelbaldewijns

Crafting your own square brush?

When post-processing an architectural image to create the perfect black and white picture, crafting your own square brush can significantly enhance the final result. Here’s an improved step-by-step guide on how to do it using Adobe Photoshop:

  1. Open a New Document in Photoshop:
    • Launch Photoshop and create a new document (File > New).
  2. Select the Rectangle Tool:
    • In the toolbar on the left, choose the Rectangle Tool (U). It looks like a rectangle or square.
  3. Create a Square Selection:
    • To ensure you create a square selection, go to the top menu and choose “Fixed Ratio” in the “Style”
    • Click and drag on your canvas to draw a square. Hold down the Shift key while dragging to constrain the shape to a perfect square.
  4. Fill the Square with Black:
    • Select the Paint Bucket Tool (G) from the toolbar.
    • Choose black as your foreground colour.
    • Click inside the square to fill it with black.
  5. Define the Brush Preset:
    • Go to Edit > Define Brush Preset.
    • Give your brush a descriptive name (e.g., “Architectural Square Brush”).
    • Click OK to save the brush.
  6. You Now Have a Square Brush:
    • Your custom square brush is ready to use!
    • Select the brush tool (B), choose your newly created square brush from the brush presets, and start enhancing architectural details in your black and white image.

Remember, creating your own square brush allows you to add a personal touch and precision to your architectural post-processing. Happy editing! 📸🖌️

Why brutalist architecture and where to photograph?

Photographing brutalist buildings is interesting. The geometric shapes and texture of the concrete are phenomenal. Additionally, photographing these buildings can be a way to capture the beauty of this style and share it with others.

Architects constructed several buildings in this style in Belgium, including the Rectorate of the ‘Vrije Universiteit Brussel’ and the Chapel Kerselaere. Similarly, in the Netherlands, they built several structures in this architectural style, one of which is the former Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment located in The Hague .

Crossing the channel, there are several interesting brutalist buildings in London that you might want to check out. Here are some of them:

The Barbican Estate is a residential complex in the City of London that was built in the 1960s and 1970s. It is one of the largest examples of brutalist architecture in Europe and is home to over 4,000 people.

Architect Ernő Goldfinger designed Trellick Tower, a 31-storey tower block in North Kensington, which was completed in 1972. The building is now listed as Grade II.

Architects Norman Engleback, Ron Herron, and Warren Chalk designed the Hayward Gallery, an art gallery within the Southbank Centre in London. Completed in 1968, it is a Grade II listed building and is renowned for its striking concrete design

The Royal National Theatre This is a performing arts venue in South Bank, London that was designed by architect Denys Lasdun and completed in 1976. It is known for its distinctive brutalist design and is a Grade II listed building.