With his SAH/SCC membership renewal, distinguished Architectural Photographer Richard J. Levy, AIA, APA indicated that he was interested in providing a lecture titled, "Architecture of the Lower Columbia River." Since several of us were planning to attend our sister SAH, North Pacific Coast Chapter's Fall Meeting in Astoria, Oregon (along the Lower Columbia River), we thought that this would be a great opportunity to take Mr. Levy up on his offer. In meeting Mr. Levy, reviewing his slides and concept for the talk, we realized that the program offered was much more than a "travelogue", and that it would be a fascinating evening for both our members and guests.
Mr. Levy's major study of Architecture was at the University of Oregon and later, SCI·ARC. During that time, he studied Art Photography and Environmental Structure under such prominent Landscape and Architectural Photographers as Morley Baer, Bernard Freemesser and Julius Shulman. In both a slide lecture and a display of his fine prints (which can be acquired), we'll examine the origins of industry and building types in this unique region. This exploration will include Mr. Levy's photographic printed editions of original historic glass negatives, and of copy negatives made from original prints found in the territory's archives, museums, universities, historical societies and private collections. Mr. Levy fastidiously used historic photographic processes common to the period in which the originals were created, replicating the originals. He then painstakingly sought out the same buildings, and carefully made contemporary photographs, using modern processes and materials, that complement the original historic images.
He will also discuss how his techniques of historical photographic documentation could have local applications.