When I was very little, we had a couple of charcoal sketches framed on the wall. One was of an iron latch. I think there was a hand in the picture as well, but maybe it was just of the latch. Ever since then, I have always found latches, locks and doorknobs fascinating objets d’art in their own right. So I like to photograph them when I travel…
A lead or pewter door in Prague with a serpent knocker.This door set, also in Prague, clearly did not come from Home Depot.Wrought iron reinforced door, again in Prague.Brass door knob on a black door worn from use.You’d probably think twice about reaching for this fierce knocker in St.Lizier, France.The lion on the right managed to swallow a visitor, so be warned.Sometimes the patina on the door is almost a Turner painting.The blacksmith really put his heart into this door set.The juxtaposition of different textures make doors and door frames good photography subjects, as with this London door.Sometimes it’s all about the textures, as in this French door and wall.Penang, Malaysia has a lot of beautiful old doors around almost every corner.This gate handle was in Chiangmai, Thailand.Foreign scripts can be so beautiful.Tropical humidity and heat can take a toll on wood finishes.Islamic patterns adorn this door hardware in Istanbul, another great place to photograph doors and latches.Deco simplicity, too, makes a stylish entrance, as at this San Francisco house.