Dallas and Much More Through the Eyes of Architect/Photographer Leonard Volk
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It’s not often you get to interview a true Renaissance man. But this week, I had the honor of connecting with the illustrious Leonard Volk – FAIA architect emeritus, author, photographer, community leader, and world traveler.
His book, everyday, chronicles 60 years of personal photography and essays. “The images are more than visual; they are loaded with content, stories, and evoke emotions rarely projected,” according to Hal Box, FAIA, former dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas. “This is much more than a collection of excellent photographs. In a quiet way, it tells the story of everyday with high drama.”
In a rare personal appearance, Volk will be hosting a book signing and discussion at Interabang Books on April 25. The back stories behind the photos will surprise and delight.
“Selections in the book summarize my conclusions from architectural design and photography about art, craft, and life. I hope readers will consider the issues I have found important and build their own.”
He draws a connection between architecture and photography, calling them cousins.
“Basic design considerations rule both. Get the bones right, then enjoy the textures, contrasts, key details and relationships among the parts.”
Case in point: the Reunion Ball and Old Red. “Because of the contrasting shapes, I pushed the two as close together as possible to make the picture.” And about the Crescent under construction in 1984: “The parts all fit together in unity. It’s fun. It makes a happy composition.”
He describes a downtown street scene he shot in the mid-1980s as street jazz.
“Look at the elements and how all the angles fit together to make it a whole.”
A born-and-bred Dallasite, Volk grew up in the 1930s and ‘40s – a time when land and mortgages were cheap and available. “The Dallas real estate market thought worthy old buildings worthless, unacceptable unless give a new skin, or, even better, replaced by something new and therefore better.”
A photo of the Dallas skyline, taken from the 17th floor of his Park Towers condo, echoes a similar sentiment. “It was a great vantage point until they built uptown. Now, you can only see the tips of the tallest buildings.”
Volk never traveled without his camera. His portraits are especially moving. A personal favorite, Positano Boy, was shot on the Amalfi coast in 1950 and later recognized by the Texas Photographic Society’s National Competition.
Other accolades include awards from Black &White magazine, Color magazine, Ransom Center of the University of Texas at Austin, and the Santa Fe Center for Photography.
To all photographers, Volk offers this advice: “Stretch yourself. I challenge you to find subject matter you care about strongly, that no one else would know to photograph, that no one else would photograph your way.”
Meet Leonard Volk at Interabang Books, 5600 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas, on Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m.
