A Career Spent Capturing Architecture's Greats

The subject of his first career retrospective, noted architectural photographer Pedro E. Guerrero describes his work, lessons learned, and his inspirations, in an interview with Alexandra Lange.

1 minute read

April 11, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT

By Alesia Hsiao


Lange speaks with Guerrero, now 94, on his career in retrospect including his reasons for going to art school, how he learned his craft, and most notably, his relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright.

As to his initial approach to photographing architecture, Guerrero says, "Seeing Mr. Wright's work in the desert, I decided I would approach it like sculpture. I started photographing Taliesin West as sculpture. What happened - and this may sound arrogant - was I had a great sense of composition. I say that I have a direct line between my shutter finger and my brain. My brain tells me when I see something and I should take one. That's my technique."

Other architects' work Guerrero deems noteworthy are Eero Saarinen's ice skating rink at Yale University and his I.B.M building in Yorktown Heights.

Currently, Woodbury Hollywood Gallery in Los Angeles is exhibiting Guerrero's work, including a series of 12 images of Frank Lloyd Wright's hands demonstrating the difference between organic and conventional architecture. The show runs until April 25, 2012.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in The New York Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A flooded road in Oakland.

A multi-billion dollar problem is brewing under Oakland’s streets

Oakland’s stormwater drainage systems are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. The El Niño will only further strain the city’s infrastructure.

15 minutes ago - Mercury News

People on mopeds turn a corner in Key West, Florida. A two-story bar is in the background.

$2 trillion in economic growth may hide in ‘micropolitan communities’

Small cities hold 39% of America’s population, but receive only 10% of U.S. venture capital investment.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Elon Musk's colossus data center. An aerial view of the massive facility.

'I can't live in this:' Mississippi town besieged by power plant noise

A plant powering Elon Musk’s xAI data centers is subjecting Southaven, Mississippi residents to ceaseless noise.

2 hours ago - CBS