Photographers capture the visual essence of Cincinnati

Every photographer has a unique way of viewing the world around them. What might look like unadorned dark and cold clutter to the untrained eye becomes a kaleidoscope of shadows and light to the imagination of the artist behind the lens.

Getting started
A good place to start in the city of Cincinnati might be to examine the many diverse types of architectural design throughout the city. Look at the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company building on West Seventh Street for example. The passerby’s reflection can be seen in its marbled tan and black granite. The stone is so polished that it almost appears as if a thin layer of glass is pressed against the majestic stone building. The front doors of this building alone are picture worthy. Gold carvings adorn the old glass doors; giving the impression of royalty.

Gargoyles and dark water
While some photographers prefer to explore the details of the gargoyles that decorate Saint Mary's Cathedral, on Madison Avenue in Covington, others take inspiration from the dark water of the Ohio River, which at night provides a perfect canvas upon which to paint the colors of the downtown skyline. For the former, the ancient stone figures sit hauntingly poised on the roofs ledge high above the city and beg for attention, while to the latter, through the lens of the camera, the once cold water now warms and sparkles with night life reflections of the town some know as "sin-city".

Going for effect
A more daring photographer might be in the mood for that special effect look which would come with a more modern building design, for example the Scripps Center building at 3rd and Walnut. This towering structure produces the mirage of a never ending sky due to the way that it appears to be constructed out of nothing more than glass windows. This presents the optical illusion of an open blue sky, and soft white clouds to materialize as a bigger than life sized painted mural

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The view from the top
If history is your passion, head over to the Carew Tower, built in 1930. This example of French Art Deco stands in the heart of downtown Cincinnati and even now remains one of the city’s signature buildings. If one dares to climb the 49 stories to the top of the tower, a multitude of sights welcome the anxious artist. In fact on a clear day visitors can see the entire tri-state area, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. At this vantage point even the amateur photographer can capture some of the most breathtaking aerial views they may ever encounter.

Only in Cincy
With as picturesque as this may sound to you, some artists may not have their eye on the skyline, but rather find themselves inspired by a different motif. Perhaps they see the water and the curved design of the Serpentine Wall on the river to be a jackpot of excitement and sculpture. It's all in the eye that views the image behind the lens before the shutter clicks. There is one important warning that any photographer who is entertaining the idea of capturing images in "Cincy" should be made aware of: "Be on the lookout for flying pigs."