Welcome back! “Oxford Window” was taken during a short day trip to Oxford, England in Fall 2008. I shot this photo with an aperture of f/5.6, shutter speed of 1/100, and ISO 200 with my trusty Nikon D80.
This photo is among the more significant images in my portfolio because it was the image in which my love affair with windows and doors began. As we were walking around what arguably is one of the most beautiful universities in the world, I was immediately taken with this simple window framed by the beautiful colors and textures of the growing ivy. The architectural details and overgrown ivy reveal a sense of aged beauty and provide context for the window that calls such an historic university campus home.
For me, windows and doors represent wonder. I wonder who lives on the other side of the window or door. I wonder when the structure was built. I wonder who else has noticed such a common architectural necessity. Windows and doors, at their core, are nothing more than access to the outside world. Because of such a simple purpose, windows and doors provide me with an endless narrative that I find myself piecing together as I try to capture them with my camera.
When I travel, I find myself continually drawn to windows and doors. I often wonder how many residents have looked outside of their window in complete confusion as to why someone is photographing their home. While windows and doors do not easily fit under the traditional umbrella of travel photography, they are a huge part of my travel photography and one of my favorite subjects to shoot. I think that doors and windows provide access into a world that we as travelers cannot physically enter but instead, can access through a bit of observation and imagination.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to check back next Monday for more photo blogging!
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