Photograph the Futuristic Landscapes of Fort Worth's Water Gardens
Tucked away in downtown Fort Worth lies a futuristic oasis of cascading pools and modernist architecture. The iconic Fort Worth Water Gardens, designed by acclaimed American architect Philip Johnson, opened in 1974 as part of an urban renewal project. With its striking angles and mesmerizing water features, this National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark has become a magnet for photographers seeking unique urban landscapes.
The Water Gardens' three interconnected pools each have distinct textures and shapes that create visual intrigue. We'll also explore the gardens' best times to shoot for epic perspectives of Johnson's forward-thinking concrete creation.
The Iconic Central Active Pool
The Active Pool is the crown jewel of the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Centered under the shadow of the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Vortex Pool features a 36-foot inverted pyramid with water cascading down 38 staggered steps into a small central opening. As over 9,000 gallons of water plunges down the structure each minute, mesmerizing repetitive lines, movement, and reflections abound for striking photographs.
Overview of the Vortex Pool's Cascading Steps
The mighty vortex structure has rightfully earned the name of "water theater." As thousands of gallons rush down the steps minute by minute, there are endless possibilities to freeze flowing lines and directions in your frame. The key is to envision the geometry and compose around the shapes the water is creating.
Tips for Capturing Movement and Repetitive Lines
Set your camera to a fast shutter speed like 1/2000th of a second to freeze the rushing water in place. Compose around the powerful lines and negative space of each step pocket. As the water fans out from the central hole, capture its kinetic energy by emphasizing directional flow in your frame.
Using Leading Lines For Dramatic Perspectives
The pyramid's infrastructure and jets of water serve naturally as leading lines directing towards the central vortex hole. Use these strong directional elements to exaggerate the waterfall's downward movement. For unique images, photograph from the platforms at both pyramid levels, composing through the infrastructure to frame the water's path.
Playing With Symmetry and Patterns
The repetition of lines and shapes within the Active Pool creates graphic symmetry and patterns. Isolate water cascading down a single step and use reflections to enhance harmonious doubles. Capture the sculptural formations happening at the base of the waterfall and emphasize geometric harmony. Pay attention to how light plays through the negative spaces to make every visit unique.
The Lush Quiet Pool
In contrast to the lively Active Pool, the Quiet Pool offers a peaceful atmosphere for creative photography. Water gently cascades from three sculptural black walls carved with rippling patterns. The soothing sounds complement shade-giving trees, grassy patches and tropical plantings tucked within the concrete structures. Capture the harmony between water, light and nature in this serene urban escape.
Photographing the Waterfalls and Tree Reflections
Position yourself for symmetry, using the curved concrete walls to frame reflections of the trees and sunlight dancing on the gentle waterfall. When breezes blow through the cypress trees, make multiple exposures of the moving greenery with longer shutter speeds for ethereal, painterly images. For more tranquility, compose tight intimate scenes of light filtering through the waterfall.
Creating Peaceful Scenes Through Greenery and Water
Focus on the textural details throughout the Quiet Pool, from the lively ripples reflecting light as water hits the pools below to the intricate patterns carved into concrete. Juxtapose the hard surfaces with the softness of leaves, moss and reflections for added interest. Capture wide scenes embracing the entire landscape to convey the oasis-like atmosphere.
Using Slow Shutters to Soften and Blur
Convey peacefulness by intentionally slowing down your shutter speed to soften and blur water movement. Try exposures between 1/15th to half a second to create a glassy surface or sense of velocity on the cascades. Pair slower shutter speeds with miniature water features to suggest the passage of time.
The Dynamic Aerated Pool
While lacking some of the grandeur of its neighbors, the petite Aerated Pool offers many graphical possibilities. Water erupts skyward from hundreds of small jets as light dances through its translucent surface. Take advantage of the water theater to compose abstract visual stories.
Shooting Upward Angles of the Dramatic Sprays
Shoot from within the shallow pool or along its edges to capture the fountain sprays shooting upwards. Use fast shutter speeds to freeze each bubble and water droplet, conveying the explosion of movement. Compose to exaggerate the jets reaching towards the sky against backdrops of the pyramid or buildings.
Abstract Photography With Color and Motion
Move in close to the aerated water to fill your frame with color and shapes. Experiment with slow shutter speeds, panning and zooming during exposures to create psychedelic effects. Capture the turbulence below the surface to showcase mesmerizing patterns.
Enhancing Minimalist Urban Textures
Juxtapose tight crops of water details against the hard geometric lines of nearby architecture. Photograph rounded water droplets against rough concrete backgrounds to contrast organic and manmade. Study the light moving across the surface to reveal painterly swirls and textures.
Best Times of Day For Photography
The interplay between water, light and architecture transforms dramatically across hours and seasons. Discover your own favorite times to shoot or use these suggestions to start.
Golden Hour Warmth Across the Concrete
Arrive as the low afternoon sun bathes poured concrete walls in golden light. Contrast sun flare against the Active Pool's shaded interior or silhouette trees against vivid skies. Enhance rich sunsets with the water gardens' angular lines.
Night Photography With City Lights and Reflections
Return after dark when vibrant lights from Sundance Square reflect across rippling waters. Capture glassy water mixing with colorful illumination for creative cityscapes. Use long exposures to convey the energy of the Active Pool still flowing nonstop, even when the crowds have left.
Early Mornings For Soft Light and Fewer Visitors
Beat the crowds by heading to the gardens at dawn. Photograph under soft morning light with clearer reflections and opportunities for serenity. Capture commonly bustling spaces now empty and listen to birds softly chirping amidst the peaceful pools.
Practical Photography Tips
Implement these suggestions for smooth and safe photography that also respects other visitors sharing the space.
Using Tripods For Long Exposures
When exposures extend beyond 1/60th sec, stabilize with tripods for sharpness. Position legs carefully on pathways and avoid blocking high-traffic areas.
Packing Telephoto and Wide Angle Lenses
Bring a range of focal lengths to capture intimate details and grand perspectives. Wide angles like 16-35mm exaggerate water movement and architecture near your feet while telephotos like 70-200mm hone in on cascading lines and splashes across the Active Pool.
Getting Great Compositions From the Many Angles and Platforms
Move frequently and change levels for variety, photographing from above, below and within each unique pool. Adjust tripods cautiously on the rocky terrain and leave space for visitors traversing stairs and narrow walkways.
Experimenting with Speed and Effects
Feel out each area before settling in for multiple long exposures in high traffic zones. Use slower shutter speeds discreetly when space is limited. building your creative perspective over time.
Nearby Spots to Continue Shooting
Extend your photographic adventure by capturing additional eye-catching architecture and urban green spaces connected to the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Sundance Square at Dusk
Photograph just outside the Water Gardens' fence along Commerce Street to incorporate the glittering city lights of downtown's popular Sundance Square. Capture locally beloved sites like the iconic neon sign of movie palace Hollywood Theater amidst the glitzy dining and entertainment district.
Modern Architecture in the Financial District
Wander past light rail tracks two blocks south to find the soaring skyscrapers of downtown Fort Worth's Financial District reflecting in glass office towers. Discover graphic architectural patterns to complement your water garden compositions.
The Convention Center's Geometric Lines
The Fort Worth Convention Center's massive geometric footprint and repetitive white frames provide an alternate urban perspective above the Active Pool. Contrast its right angles with the Water Gardens' fluid shapes and forms just below.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a great place to take photos. Respect this shared community treasure by capturing its static structures and living waters safely. May your own compositions convey new visual stories reinforcing Philip Johnson's enduring modernist legacy.