Wes Anderson is an American filmmaker. His films include ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’, and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.
They are known for their distinctive visual style of symmetrical viewpoints and bold colours.
In recent years, the phrase ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ was popularised by the Instagram account @accidentallywesanderson to describe places photographed similarly.
How do you shoot in the style of Wes Anderson?
Wes Anderson’s style draws on architectural photography principles that our photographers use.
His style is possibly influenced by iconic ‘straight photography’ artists like Eugène Atget, August Sander, Candida Höfer, and Hilla and Bernd Becher.
You won’t find many converging verticals in Anderson’s films, where the building’s form is compromised by viewing upwards. Perspective control and keeping the camera level are essential.
Architectural photographers set out to articulate the built environment as succinctly as possible. Anderson utilises simplicity as a critical component of his compositional style. Appropriate accoutrements are allowed, but unnecessary objects are removed, which is why Anderson’s scenes look clinical.
10 places in England that are Accidentally Wes Anderson
If you’re inspired to take some Wes Anderson-style photography, look at our examples below.
1. The Crown House in Ely, Cambridgeshire
The buildings in Waterside, Ely, show that the area underwent extensive reconstruction in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Though this building appears to be from the 18th century from the outside, an investigation of its interior suggests an earlier date that may reflect the changing use of the area in the post-medieval period.
2. Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham, West Midlands
Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham is one of England’s most complete examples of an Edwardian Bath House.
They are the only Baths in the country built before 1914 to have continuously hosted swimming since they opened.
3. Canary Cottage, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Built around 1750, Canary Cottage at Knarr Farm near Peterborough in Cambridgeshire is a rare surviving example of a mid-18th century fenland cottage.
It’s thought to have been built shortly after the drainage of the local fens.
4. HMP Garth, Lancashire
Garth is a men’s high-security prison near Leyland, Lancashire. It was opened in 1988.
5. The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
The seaside’s most characteristic buildings are often piers, established at the beginning of the 19th century to provide landings for steam ferries.
They soon became used for strolling or promenading. Weston-super-Mare pier was first built between 1903 and 1904 to the designs of engineer P. Munroe.
6. The Isle of Dogs Pumping Station, London
Architect John Outram’s ‘Temple of Storms’ was built as part of the 1980s regeneration of London’s Docklands.
Built on a small budget, the pumping station is typical of Outram’s work, extensively referencing classical architecture and mythology.
7. Seating shelter, Southsea, Hampshire
The seafront. A place to sit, look at the sea, eat an ice cream, build a sand castle.
8. Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
Designed by architect George Kenyon, the Civic Centre was built for Newcastle City Council in 1967.
9. Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Sandford Parks Lido is a remarkably intact example of a 1930s lido in the Arts and Crafts style.
It opened in May 1935, and the café has winged covered terraces representative of the 1930s enthusiasm for outdoor leisure, particularly in spa resorts such as Cheltenham.
10. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham, West Midlands
The Barber Institute at Birmingham University is thought to be one of, if not the first, facility of its type for teaching music and the arts, with gallery and exhibition space.
Further reading
- 10 Tips for Architectural Photography
- How to Recreate an Archive Photograph
- England’s Seaside Heritage from the Air
I sure hope he sees this. These are wonderful!
Great blog, thank you. Delighted to live near one (Sandford Lido) and within visiting distance of several others!