Architecture Photography | NMC Clinics Building

In my second shoot for Northwestern Medical Center I took interior photos of their new Clinics building addition. Directly connected to the hospital’s new main entrance, the building offers an expanded check in kiosk, a spacious waiting room and a multitude of exam rooms for Northwestern OB/GYN, and Northwestern Cardiology & Pulmonology. It’s a major improvement to the hospital’s overall flow by relocating the check-in for these services to the front of the building. And as hospital office design goes, it’s a cozy space thanks to details like the custom lighting, natural stonework and a waiting room wall of windows for ample natural light.

The goal of the shoot was to capture a variety of the spaces to demonstrate efficiency, atmosphere and connectivity to the hospital. The shoot had to be scheduled for after working hours in order to have an empty space and satisfy patient privacy issues.

Lobby

Since it was an evening shoot, I wanted to get the waiting area first in order to get enough exterior light for the windows. In this view you can see through the space to the registration desks and out into the main lobby.

Another view shows the opposite direction where patients can also enter. The hospital wanted to have both views for their website so that patients could have some familiarity with the space when coming from either direction. You can see that the space is flooded with natural light. There was an additional angle I shot with a better view of the wall of windows but due to continued construction outside the “view” itself needs a bit of work. I’m weighing whether or not the best approach is to continue working on it in photoshop or to possibly reshoot the space.

Details

Check-in

Here’s a view of the patient registration area where you can see through the windows into the refurbished main lobby.

Exam Rooms

In my architecture photography I use tilt shift lenses because they correct perspective distortions. (The way rooms or buildings seem to fall away as you look through a wide angle lens up close). I most often use a 24mm tilt shift but for this shoot I also tried out a 17mm tilt shift (rented from Camera Lens Rentals who I’ve used several times and have great service!). It’s wider than I’d prefer from a creative standpoint but in tight spaces can be a lifesaver. I’m so glad I had it for the exam room shots.

Work Space

The last space we shot was the staff area for doctors. A one-point perspective was a great angle to show the space with a hint of how it extends. We wanted to show the space slightly “lived-in”.

It’s been fun working with the hospital on these shoots capturing such a variety of spaces. My goal is to strike the right balance of lighting without making anything look too clinical or unnatural. That can be tough in a hospital! It takes a lot of work to find the right mix.

Stina Booth is a commercial architecture photographer based in northern Vermont available to shoot in Vermont and throughout New England. Services include residential, municipal and commercial projects. To inquire about having your project photographed contact me.

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