SACRED SPACES: Fallingwater, Stairs - Collectors Edition Italian Frame

Fallingwater, Stairs
MILL RUN, PENNSYLVANIA, 1936
Photographed 2018

Like most of my compositions, the first thing I noticed walking across the bridge in front of Fallingwater was the beautiful yellow beam making its way down each step on the floating stairs coming down from the hatch, casting a warm glow on the calming water of Bear Run below. But from where I was standing on top of the bridge, I couldn't see the entire sequence of stairs coming down, I needed to find a better composition then looking down, I need to get eye level with the stairs.

This is usually where the story would end for a photographer at Fallingwater, as stepping into Bear Run is off limits , like seriously off limits, but I was no ordinary photographer at the time. I was an official Artist-In-Residence and knew as long as I was safe, they would be ok with it. I slowly and carefully made my way down to Bear Run and stood barefoot in the creek, directly below where I was standing on top of the bridge. Here was the composition I envisioned for the light.

The stairs down from the hatch, to me, was the most important joining of architecture to nature in the design. This was Wright's organic principles reaching out to the most defining element of Fallingwater. With the heavy construction of the cantilevers themselves, it's a beautiful and very elegant way to bring the two in harmony together.

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Buying A Print = Giving Back To Wright’s Legacy
A portion of the proceeds of all print sales to support youth education at the four hosting sites of the Sacred Spaces exhibit; Beth Sholom Synagogue, Taliesin, Fallingwater, and Taliesin West. Learn More