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By Brent Hoffmann, 2005

Kelly Manteck’s occupation tracks well with CAC’s mission “to inspire people to discover why design matters.”  In Kelly’s words, “my photographic eye shows, in my photography, that it’s my mission to inspire individuals to see architecture as large-scale artwork by artists.  I point out the different, unique views and vantage points of the buildings we show.”

As well as an architectural photographer, she’s a full-time educator.  Kelly teaches digital art (digital photography I and II, advanced placement digital art, and digital illustration/graphic design as well as ceramics) at Plainfield South High School in south-suburban Chicago and is the head girls bowling coach.  “I focus on digital art and design,” she explained.  “My students do a lot of their illustration work on iPads.  They learn to use Adobe Photoshop app to create images, graphics, digital paintings and animation.  They create six-frame photo storyboards and design posters.  For example, they design posters for schools plays and make ‘vintage-inspired’ music and travel posters starring the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Paramore and other bands, as well as for places like Ghana, Mexico, and The Faroe Islands.

“One of my assignments is to study the work of 20 famous photographers, such as Richard Nickel, Richard Avedon, Cindy Sherman and William Eggleston.  My students create photos in the style those photographers, then show and explain their work to the class, which gives them an abridged history of photography.  I also help them build photo portfolios to show when applying for further education at art schools.  Several of my student grads are now working on visual arts degrees at Columbia College and other schools.  Last year, 20 of our art students were offered $4.8 million in scholarships.  I recently attended the 2022 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York to support one of my students who won a gold medal for her digital art piece ‘Xenophobia.’  And she’s now attending the School of Visual Arts in New York.”

KAMera Chicago Photography

“In 2014,” continued Kelly, “I started my own architectural photography business called KAMera Chicago Photography.”  According to her website, wwwkamerachicago.com,  “Kelly’s work takes the buildings and turns them into geometric wonders that transform the urban landscape into an incredible work of art.” In the summer of 2012, she interned at WTTW-TV.  Her photos of FLW’s Robie House were used in the station’s national documentary 10 Buildings that Changed America, hosted by Geoffrey Baer.

In 2013, Kelly earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Columbia College, Chicago.  She followed with a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education and a Master of Education in Secondary Education with a concentration in humanities from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.  “In 2020,” she said, “I became a docent, having fallen in love with Chicago architectural history after studying Devil in the White City in a class, Burnham in Chicago.”

She leads the Walk Through Time, Must-See Chicago and the river tours and is currently writing a walking Photography tour.  “I love Walk Through because of its chronological aspect, and it gives Chicago’s quick rise to prominence the respect it deserves.”  As a member of the docent photography features group, Kelly has shown her architecture photos in The Bridge.

Photo Tips

“For my own architectural photo assignments, I usually shoot with my digital Canon 5D Mark IV or a Calumet 4”x5” large-format camera.  But for general building photography, the cameras on an iPhone and Android phones are sufficient.

“When shooting,” advised Kelly, “look for unusual angels, consider what’s in the entire frame. I think oftentimes that we’re so quick to capture something that we don’t slow down to look at the entire image. For example, did you crop out an important part of the building?  Is the roof line or cornice there? Does it need to be in the image?  Is this meant to be a detail shot or a picture of the entire building? Are your lines straight or did you want an unusual angle?  So, think about what enticed you about the shot and see if that is reflected within your image. Be aware of the light: is the sunlight harsh? How do your shadows look? Are there interesting reflections or abstractions that you see? Don’t be afraid to take risks. It’s okay to have an unconventional crop in your image. Get low to the ground, look all the way up…really study that building, or whatever you choose to photograph.”

“When I’m on a river tour, I found that the best place for photos is by the St. Regis Hotel because of the amazing abstractions presented by the gradient of glass. Also, the different tiers reflect differently in diverse weather or lighting situations. On the south branch, I talk about “glassitecture” at 150 N. Riverside. It has a glass façade that does a dramatic job of reflecting the river and surrounding buildings.”

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