USF Dining Hall and Koret Lodge - Field Paoli Architects

The USF Lone Mountain Dining Hall stands out across the USF campus like a brilliant accordion lantern illuminated at night. Nestled among the historical educational buildings, this modern one-story pavilion designed by Field Paoli Architects offers sweeping views from San Francisco to downtown, making it almost impossible not to capture an incredible photo from inside.

We were fortunate to gain access to the roof of a nearby residential hall, allowing us to capture the magnificent span between the dining hall and Koret Lodge, truly showcasing this stunning piece of architecture. Shooting during the early summer months presented the challenge of long days, which meant we found ourselves on the roof until 9:30 in the evening.

However, the resulting nighttime image was well worth the wait. The extended daylight also provided more opportunities for additional shots and minimized the risk of rain. We were particularly lucky on this occasion, as the typical San Francisco fog stayed at bay. Our goal for this shoot was to capture the vibrancy of such a dynamic space, with numerous students passing through to study, eat, socialize, or relax by the through-wall fireplace under the covered walkway.

Managing the multitude of individuals walking through the shots was challenging, but we overcame this by taking multiple exposures, waiting for clear moments to shoot, and later compositing several shots into one. Working with Field Paoli and Principal, Christen Soares, was a delightful experience, and it was an honor to help capture such a remarkable project!