Though primarily a nature photographer, I find architecture (and outdoor art installations) to be endlessly fascinating subject matter and never turn down an opportunity to capture manmade creations with my camera. Architecture offers a nice change of pace creatively, but there are also many parallels between the two genres. No matter what you're shooting, it's all about arranging elements within the frame and creating something that is visually interesting.

I'm not at all opposed to making representational architectural photographs (in which the subject can be identified), but I've gravitated more toward abstracts over the past few years: the possibilities are almost limitless once you learn to see them. The key is to focus on details - elements like shapes, lines, angles, and patterns - and to use your imagination.

While any type of building can be interpreted abstractly, modern architecture tends to be better suited to creating these types of images. To that end, I recently visited my alma mater, the University of Iowa, to see - and photograph - some of the newer additions to campus. Stylistically, I knew these would fit the bill, though of course I kept my eyes open for anything that looked interesting while walking around town.

Topping my list were Hancher Auditorium (a beautiful performance hall) and the Voxman Music Building, each of which were rebuilt following a devastating flood which rendered the original structures unusable. Both now stand further away from the Iowa River and will be theoretically safe from future flood damage.

Hancher is 189,000 square feet of graceful curves and a striking combination of stainless steel and cypress wood. To my eyes it resembles an elegant ship. I focused on the curves.

Like Hancher, the music building is large (nearly 200,000 square feet) and equally impressive. I spent a great deal of time shooting it both inside and out. In the end, though, it was the shingled glass which protrudes over the sidewalk on its east facade which most captured my imagination.

This would have been a completely different type of image had the sky been flat white or cloudless blue. In either of those instances, I would have composed differently and more than likely converted to black and white.

The Pomerantz Center, though not on my watch list, turned out to be a goldmine. Having walked by it previously in overcast conditions, nothing about it spoke to me. Later, when the sun came out, this sight quite literally stopped me in my tracks. All those shadows!

Processing in black and white removed the deep blue sky as a potential distraction. It also enabled me to bump up the contrast.

After spending a few days in Iowa City, it was back to my home city of Chicago which never disappoints when it comes to architectural photography. I only had one afternoon to wander around, but even when time is short there is always something to find.

If this has piqued your interest in architectural abstracts, I encourage you to give it a try. It's great training for your eye, which - of course - translates to any type of photography.

If you're new to this type of shooting, it's all about details. Look for interesting lines, shapes, patterns, contrasting elements, repeating features, or colors. Free yourself from thinking literally. For example, what do you see when you tilt your camera? The interpretation is completely up to you.

Composition still matters. What is the focal point? Eliminate clutter and consider how you wish to guide the viewer's eye through the frame.

Use a long lens to isolate details and compress the scene. I shoot with my 100-400mm when doing this type of work and do not use a tripod.

Inspect the building from multiple points of view. Sometimes just moving a few feet can make a big difference.

Consider black and white. It's a great artistic tool that can simplify, emphasize graphic elements, and render the familiar as less identifiable.

Slow down when strolling city sidewalks. You will probably be surprised at how much potential subject matter you'll see if you take the time to look. It is literally everywhere.

Best of all? You can make architectural abstracts in just about any type of conditions and at any time of day.