Performing Arts Wing
This striking building, part of the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, is one of the most architecturally dramatic structures in Downtown Los Angeles. Designed by Wolf Prix of Coop Himmelb(l)au, the angular steel and glass form erupts from the streetscape in a way that rewards wide to medium focal lengths, anywhere from 16mm to 35mm. You will want to shoot from across Grand Avenue or from the corner of Grand and César Chávez to capture the full sweep of the jutting roofline and the tension between the building's sharp geometry and the sky behind it. Overcast days flatten harsh shadows and let the metallic surfaces glow evenly, while blue hour adds drama as interior lights begin to bleed through the glass. The surrounding sidewalks are open and unobstructed, making it easy to move around and experiment with low angles that exaggerate the building's aggressive tilt. (Los Angeles, California, United States)
