Fisher Building in Detroit, Michigan

Nicknamed "the Golden Tower" and "Detroit's largest art object", you need look no further than the Fisher Building for one of Detroit, Michigan's truly incredible landmark skyscrapers. Opened in 1928, the building was financed by the sale of the Fisher Body Company, the iconic automobile coachbuilder, to General Motors in 1926. 

As  a result of the Fisher Body Company becoming the in-house coachbuilding division of General Motors, the Fisher Building was built directly across the street from what was the General Motors World HQ at the time. That building has since been renamed Cadillac Place after GM moved to its new HQ into the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. 

Complete with granite, limestone, gold leaf, mosaic tiles, and several types of marble, the architectural embellishments of the Fisher Building don't go unnoticed. From the arched ceilings and massive pendant lights to the inlaid patterns on practically every surface, the Fisher Buidling boasts a next-level attention to detail. You'll also find the Fisher Theatre here, one of the oldest live theatre venues in Detroit.  

We saw a lot of memorable locations during our exploration of Detroit, but few wowed us quite like this. From the grand lobby to the surrounding walkways, we really couldn't stop staring. The Fisher Building is a testament to the grandiose architecture and impressive wealth that existed during Detroit's seemingly unstoppable boom in the early 20th century. 

Archival image of the Fisher Building in Detroit.

Explore Hawaii: A Travel Magazine Feature

A travel feature about a series of images shot in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

Professional Photographers Already Know This

Everyone thinks the prerequisite to becoming a professional photographer is the ability to take a "good" image, but if we're digging for specifics I'd argue that it's always been bigger than that.

The real secret is timing.

It's recognizing when you can capture something rare. It's storytelling in choices. It's bringing people into your work by sharing a perspective often easily missed.

Case in point, last night around midnight an ice fog had decended over Medicine Hat. I was on my way home and while passing the Saamis Teepee on the highway the fog was so thick that I thought the lights on it had been turned off.

I pulled off to have a look and only as I rounded the corner did it begin to reveal itself. The fog was causing the lights on this familiar landmark to bleed into the haze and I immediately recognized in that moment, that even after all the teepee shots I'd grabbed over the years, here was one that I didn't have.

Needless to say when the image went up this morning on the Editing Luke page it began to spread quickly. Timing gave it purpose. Timing made the shot more interesting. It had a story. My point is that when you're really playing the game, this is what actually makes the difference.