“Those who only know the University casually probably aren’t very familiar with the pavilion gardens, although many may be aware of the serpentine walls,” he said. “I think the Rotunda itself is the most recognizable element for UVA, or Moses Ezekiel’s Thomas Jefferson statue on the [Rotunda’s] North Plaza.”
As compelling as the historic architecture of the University is, Addison knows the importance of people in his images.
“Occasionally when I notice a location that seems visually compelling, I’ll wait for people to arrive, adding interest and a sense of place,” he said. “I may pause and the moment I’m trying to capture just doesn’t happen. In other cases, it is just perfect. Either a student really adds to the photo and the composition, or I take the photo without a student and it may not make the cut in the end.”
In Addison’s images, the student may be a minor part of a photo or may be a key element.
“I have two approaches to students,” he said. “One is if I am shooting wide enough that the student is part of the composition, but not the main focus. If I think the student would probably be a bigger part of the composition, I will walk up him or her and introduce myself and see if they mind being a subject. Ninety-five percent of the time the students are fine with it and they ask if they can have a copy.”