Hannu Koivisto
Architectural photographer
Hannu Koivisto has been working with architects and design groups in Finland over thirty years. He has been photographing public buildings, educational buildings, research buildings, commercial buildings and residential buildings. Koivisto has been teaching architectural photography in Aalto University of Technology, Department of Architecture Finland. He has been teaching international students, coming from numerous countries and continents, i.e. America, Australia, Asia,Europe. He has also been both photographing and building architectural models for national and international competitions and projects since 1972. The main focus in his work is in understanding the importance both three dimensional thinking in architecture as well as of detailed handicraft. He uses the play of light and shade within a space as a tool in his work.
Background
As a professional photographer (The University of Art and Design, Helsinki, 1985) of Modern Architecture Hannu Koivisto has been early subjected to architectural influences on The Island Fortress OffHelsinki in Finland (1750 proudly named Sveaborg) where he lived for twenty years. The beautiful islands nowadays called Suomenlinna outside Helsinki today belong to UNESCO’s World Heritage Catalogue.“The basis for the development of my architectural thinking was grounded there, on the islands surrounded by the sea; in the shade of granite walls, built in the 17th century.”After leaving those historical Islands (1973) Hannu Koivisto launched his ‘architectural career’ working in architectural offices in Helsinki and later working as a freelancer with architectural photography projects andthen in 21th century teaching in Aalto University, Helsinki.Inspired by the visual aspect of architecture he started the photography studies in the University of Art and Design, Helsinki in 1978.
Philosophy
"Catching the spirit of architectural form and space with the light is the main philosophy in my architectural photography. As a Finnish architectural photographer visualizing buildings, spaces, environment and nature I believe in close, creative touch and understanding between the photographer and the client."
Photography work
"I prefer the high quality of photography, good service and fair competitionbased on my professional qualification.Respecting the copyrights and the moral rights of the creator andthe photographer shall be the important part of the professional work.Payment will be received only if the work is accepted by the client.Donating time for the betterment of my profession for creating more inspiring photosis a natural way of keeping up my professional skills in thisdeveloping and every day changing architectural world."
Teaching Architectural Photography
In Aalto University School of science and Technology, Department of Architecture.
During last three years (2008, 2009, 2010) Hannu Koivisto has been teaching both Finnish speaking and international students. Koivisto got an invitation to Department of Architecture autumn 2007 and soon started organizing lessons for January 2008.The interactive communication between students and teacher has been extremely interesting and motivational.
Students have found in themselves the positive creativity when catching the spirit of light and shadow photographing under specificnorthern light circumstances during the season when low winter light has been turning to bright spring.
During the ctique lessons students have been showing their developing projects in order to continue and complete their work after a while. The succesful and popular interactive Final Critique sessions with the finalized printed material have brought numerous strong architectural photographer individuals' pictures to be added later to The Exhibition held in the endof every spring.
Hannu Koivisto, Photographer.
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