Mike Poggioli is one of those rare photographers who truly meditates on his subject before shooting, and his passion for the craft is obvious. While living in Chicago in 2015, Poggioli’s love of photography grew, fueled by the city’s singular architecture and its orange-hued streetlights in the rain. His studies in clinical psychology then took him to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his passion for cityscapes flourished. His upcoming book, Cincinnati Dreaming, showcases his love for experimentation. He is always looking for new ways to play with leading lines, harsh light and shadows, and depth in his compositions, as well as playing with color, giving his photos pops of orange and dark blue. Hear from Mike on his appreciation for Cincinnati below.
What drew you to Cincinnati and what about the city inspires you to photograph it?
I moved to Cincinnati for graduate school in the summer of 2015 not knowing much about it. My first year, I worked at the 4th & Vine Starbucks. After my shifts, I would walk around downtown with my camera, capturing whatever caught my eye. One morning, I ventured down to the Roebling Bridge and it felt oddly familiar. Being from New York, it was likely the resemblance to the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as many structures in downtown that resemble older parts of New York City. From there, I discovered so much about it through wandering and taking pictures. I loved the bright skyline reflected on the Ohio River. The late 19th-century facades in OTR and Historic Newport. Some parts feel reminiscent of a European town, like St. Francis De Sales in Walnut Hills, and even certain vantage points of Music Hall. The seven hills surrounding Cincinnati also made taking unique shots of the skyline without a drone easy. Some of my favorite vantage points are from Mt. Adams, Mt. Echo, and Devou Park. I also loved the more modern buildings like the Great American Tower, and the new streetcar that was just finished when I moved.
What also drew me to the city and deepened my appreciation for it was learning about its rich American history. It was founded in 1788 and incorporated as a city in 1819. Many are shocked when I tell them that Cincinnati was America’s first major boomtown, hence its nickname, the Queen City. Mark Twain and Thomas Edison worked in Cincinnati early in their careers. Cincinnati played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, being on the Mason-Dixon Line, thrived from steamboat construction and access, and has a rich history of distilleries and breweries. It experienced amazing growth in the mid-19th century and by 1890, was the most densely populated city in the US.
Cincinnati has a mix of historic charm and modern development—how did you balance capturing both in your photography?
The blend of old and new definitely piqued my photographic interest. The contrast between older and newer construction materials, colors, and shapes was exciting to capture. For example, the orange-tinted sand and limestone of the Roebling Bridge (completed in 1866) in the foreground with the blue, glassy Great American Tower behind it (completed in 2011). Or the new Connector streetcar slinking through the historic facades of OTR. It was fun to cast the city in different time periods. For example, the architecture at the University of Cincinnati’s campus or the view from One Lytle at blue hour makes the city look like a futuristic metropolis. But many downtown interiors can take you back to the Art Deco’s heyday in the 1920’s, like the Carew Tower or Dixie Terminal. Going back further, looking down Woodburn Avenue in Walnut Hills at St. Francis De Sales Church, or even walking past Music Hall, can take you back to a European setting in the Gothic period. Four of the main structures in the Cincy skyline are about 100 years apart - the PNC Tower, built in 1913, the Carew Tower in 1929, the Scripps Center in 1990, and the Great American Tower in 2011 - all lined up next to one another in the skyline.
Did you discover any hidden gems or unexpected perspectives of the city that surprised you?
Many of the gems and unexpected perspectives of the city are the shots that you’ll see in the book. I would keep coming back to the Roebling Bridge all year round. I loved walking around OTR and capturing the colorful, historic facades, including the churches and Music Hall. The beautiful Art Deco interior of Dixie Terminal reminded me of Grand Central Terminal in many ways. An unexpected gem was the Spring Grove Cemetery. It’s a hauntingly beautiful, serene place that I’d recommend to everyone - not to mention the third largest in the country. I was shocked to discover that the Union Terminal is the largest half dome in the western hemisphere. It’s mesmerizing to look straight up when inside. I loved Eden Park in the fall and watching barges and steamboats pass along the Ohio River. Historic Newport in May and early November always made for magical morning photo walks.
Tell me a bit about your editing process.
I upload RAW images into Lightroom. I first apply a preset that prioritizes blues in the shadows, orange in the highlights. From there, I try to emphasize sources of light and keep a “crushed,” bluish tone in the shadows. It can take several minutes to several days or even months before I get it edited in a way that feels right.
Do you have a favorite Cincinnati moment or memory?
Every time I went out to take pictures in the city, it was special. But the most memorable "Cincinnati" moment I had was while photographing sunset from Madison Place Apartments in June 2019 - one of my last evenings before moving to the Blue Ridge area. All the elements of Cincinnati seemed to align in one moment: The Reds' stadium was illuminated for a game, the Sky Star wheel was projecting a "C" pattern, a BB Riverboat tour was passing in one direction, followed by a small speed boat, and from the other direction, a massive barge passing under the lit-up Roebling Bridge. The three boats crossed by one another at the same moment in front of Smale Park. I don't think you could ever get more Cincinnati in a single frame than that!
Other notable memories include when I would meet up with other local photographers and we would shoot together. And one of my very favorite activities to do in Cincinnati was to attend Final Friday at the Pendleton Art Center. It’s eight stories packed with over 200 local artists’ studios that opens up the final Friday of the month to the public. It is in an old shoe manufacturing warehouse built in 1909. I think it’s one of the coolest events in one of the coolest venues and really miss it.
If someone were to experience Cincinnati solely through this book, what feeling or story do you hope they take away?
I came to Cincinnati not expecting much, which I think was a good thing. I really only knew of what Mark Twain said (although I read that he probably did not say this), "When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always 20 years behind the times." I assumed it was just a sleepy, post-industrial town. I think that is what a lot of people think about Cincinnati, too.
I moved at an exciting time for the city, in 2015, when they were restoring much of OTR facades and new businesses, and other developments were pouring into downtown. The more I explored, the more I came to agree with what Charles Dickens said after his 1842 visit, “Cincinnati is a beautiful city; cheerful, thriving, and animated... The inhabitants of Cincinnati are proud of their city as one of the most interesting in America: and with good reason...”
I hope readers of the book are left with curiosity to explore a new city that they may have underestimated - as I once did. I tried to incorporate a sense of mystery and anonymity in the photos and to depict the contrast between its historical and more modern elements. From there, I hope when readers visit, they can discover everything the city has to offer, like its professional sports teams, breweries, parks, a rich arts scene, stellar medical facilities, beautiful parks, and cool architecture, to name a few.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming photographers?
Just shoot! It’s not so much about the camera gear itself. You can take great shots with an iPhone. Only look to others’ work for inspiration, not comparison. Develop your own style - your own eye. I used photography as a practice in mindfulness: anchor yourself with your senses, see and let the photograph find you, rest and really look at what stops you, and create intentionally but without overthinking. The practice of mindfulness can deepen the practice of photography, and vice versa, in my opinion.
Learn more about Mike Poggioli and Cincinnati Dreaming here.