#picturedetroit

“Fall” Did you know that I create mixed media work from my photography? Although this work is way off from the season we’re experiencing, or about to experience, it’s one of my favorite pieces and has been sitting in storage for a while. It was originally shot in 2012 or 2013 (the info is on the back and it’s 2am and not getting out of bed to look) and features @stjosephoratory, founded in 1873. I also do commission work, and can even incorporate text (favorite quotes, poems, etc.) to really personalize my images as a special gift. I keep meaning to dedicate a page on my website just for this work and haven’t figured out exactly how to do it yet. I have something fun coming up, especially for those on my email list, so if you’re not on it, you can register via my website (link in bio). Wishing everyone a happy Thursday! ~ Christina ••••••••••••• 📸🎨x Christina / @picturedetroit • • • • • #PictureDetroit #DequindreCut #StJosephOratory#Fel3000ft @Fel3000ft #OpportunityDetroit @HourDetroit #HourDetroit @BuildInstitute #CrainsDetroit #ThrowbackThursday#MidMichiganNow #DetroitUSA#PureDetroit313#RawDetroit#DocumentingDetroit#WXYZDetroit #MotorCity #DowntownDetroit #NothingStopsDetroit #DocumentingDetroit @puremichigan #MichiganPhotography #VisitDetroit @visitdetroit #PureMichigan #StreetDreamsMag #ActuallyDetroit #I❤️Detroit (at Dequindre Cut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY8Yx7FLduC/?utm_medium=tumblr

V I E W S 📷: @dubd2350 #detroit #detroitphotography #detroitlove #detroitness #detroitpictures #picturedetroit #rencen #michigan (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwuqFQ2gT0D/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h4lniz31usxn

“CARE” In the background of this image one can see what was known as the “Care Building”, torn down in 2014. The words and phrases on the side of the building were done for the Kid Rock video: “Care”. This was also one of the main areas where filming for Transformers 4: Age of Extinction took place in July 2013. Shot: August 2013 © Christina x @PictureDetroit • • • • • #PictureDetroit @HourDetroit #HourDetroit @BuildInstitute #CrainsDetroit #ThrowbackThursday#MidMichiganNow #DetroitUSA #DocumentingDetroit#WXYZDetroit #MotorCity #DowntownDetroit #NothingStopsDetroit #DocumentingDetroit @puremichigan #MichiganPhotography #VisitDetroit @visitdetroit #PureMichigan #StreetDreamsMag #ActuallyDetroit#CityLife #I❤️Detroit (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXi50ZsrtHs/?utm_medium=tumblr

Spring in the D 📷: @msaadatjoo #detroit #detroitlove #detroitness #detroitpics #detroitpicture #picturedetroit #michigan (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwcby1KgBtx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19y4nm5uuqjdf

C H U R C H 📷: @charlesrostamloo #detroit #detroitlove #prayfordetroit #detroitness #detroitpictures #picturedetroit (at Ste. Anne de Detroit Catholic Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaA6RXAk3I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j5fpi4r8hcoz

“I Spy Some People Mover Tracks” This view is gone now, interrupted by a new building which replaced an old building (Hudson’s) that was a rich part of Detroit’s history but deemed not worth saving and torn down in the 90’s. Constant change is what keeps a city growing and what is actual progress is sometimes debatable. What isn’t debatable is the constant revenue necessary to make a city run. In order to thrive, cities need tax revenue and income from businesses, tourism, and the people who live there ~ but it’s also imperative that those finances be handled correctly. Detroit seems to have finally come out on top, fingers crossed that it will happen for the city of Flint as well. 📸: @picturedetroit | Christina Collie • • • • • #PictureDetroit #DPM #DetroitPeopleMover #PublicTransportation #LightRail #FlintviaDetroit #DowntownDetroit #ElevatedTrain #VisitDetroit #DetroitHistory#DocumentingDetroit #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #HomeDecor #RenaissanceCenter #GMRenCen #DetroitMarriott #MillenderCenter (at Downtown Detroit) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckx7yi3r79l/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“Cathedral of Finance” The Guardian Building is considered one of Detroit’s top architectural jewels. Originally built for the Union Trust Bank, it’s nickname was “The Cathedral of Finance”, and no expense was spared when it came to materials and labor. There is a great book that goes into detail regarding the materials, artists, murals, etc., but the thing that has always blown my mind is the ceiling. Looks pretty beautiful, right? There is a ¾” layer of insulation above the main bank lobby (@bankofamerica is now located in the building) and that insulation is HORSEHAIR. But for me, the most amazing aspect is that the whole ceiling is PAINTED canvas. That’s right, the same stuff artists have painted on for centuries is what you’re looking at in this photo. There’s also a cool story behind the clock, but I’ll save that for another time. According to Dan Austin, of @historicdetroit, the work was done by 16 painters. Keep this in perspective, I could barely get one person to just paint the ceiling in my living room white… Wishing you all a happy Thursday! Shot: 6.11.15 © Christina x @PictureDetroit • • • • • #PictureDetroit#DetroitArchitecture #GuardianBuilding @smithgroup #SmithGroup #ArtDeco (at Guardian Building) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgjaiEhuMlk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“Did you know?” The next couple of series are going to highlight some of my favorite buildings and the relationships between Detroit and Flint, Michigan. Shown here is one of the first postcards ever printed for @PictureDetroit highlighting the Guardian + Penobscot Buildings, two historical structures designed by @smithgoup (Wirt C. Rowland of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls as it was known in the 1920’s) in downtown Detroit. Both are amazing specimens of original Art Deco architecture with so many cool details that I’m not going to go into here, but I invite you to research on your own (@PureDetroit has a shop in the Guardian and also offers tours!) to discover the unique qualities that each of these buildings feature! According to research from Michiganmodern.org Smith, Hinchman and Grylls is one of the oldest architectural firms in America. Sheldon Smith, a self-taught architect, started the company in 1853 in Ohio, having gained experience with his brother, an architect on the east coast. In 1855 he moved the company to Detroit.   In 1861, Smith’s son Mortimer, a formally trained architect, became a partner in the firm, but sadly it would not lengthy collaboration, Smith Snr. passed in 1869. After his fathers death, Mortimer began to expand the office and it is reported the office became a popular place for up-and coming architects to train and gain experience. One such novice was George D. Mason, who would go on to become one of Metro’s Detroit’s most outstanding and influential architects (projects include Detroit’s Masonic Temple + Mackinac’s Grand Hotel).   What I just discovered, and find absolutely fascinating, is that Flint was also blessed with some amazing and beautiful feats of architecture by Rowland/Smith Group, and I’m excited to share these buildings over the next couple of weeks! Shot: 2013 © Christina x @PictureDetroit • • • • • #PictureDetroit#DetroitArchitecture #GuardianBuilding #PenobscotBuilding #SmithGroup #ArtDeco (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgRblEnO-pq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=