The Michigan Central Station was Detroit’s passenger rail depot from its opening in 1913 until the discontinuation of Amtrak service in January 1988. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest railway station in the world, and was designed by the same architectural firm that built New York’s Grand Central Station.

There have been proposals for station restoration, but it hasn’t gotten past the negotiation process. The building’s Beaux-arts façade is an excellent subject for architectural photography.

Beaux-arts is a neoclassical architectural style with heavy French influences. Its flat roof, arched windows, and ornate classical details make it the perfect place to practice your compositional photography skills.

One of the best ways to add dramatic effect to a photograph is to use an interesting or unusual camera angle. Point your camera upwards to emphasize the height of the building – also adding an element of drama to your photograph.

Get close to the building and take some close-ups – create abstractions with the lines and shapes of the architecture.

Please bring your fully charged digital camera, and any other photographic equipment you would like to use during the class. Please dress for the weather and wear your most comfortable shoes.

Meeting Spot and Address:

Visitors are encouraged to park at Michigan Central’s Bagley Mobility Hub parking garage located at 1501 Wabash, Detroit, MI 48216. Parking at The Bagley Mobility Hub is $10 per vehicle.

Meet at The Shop (a former semi trailer made into a shop offering Michigan Central merch)!

It’s nestled within the landscaping outside the main guest entrance on the east side of the building:

2001 15th Street Detroit MI 48216.

Contact Us:

Call Digital Photo Academy at 1 877 372 2231. Lots of people seem to hang up if our welcome recording comes on instead of a live voice, but we promise to return your message within a day or two if you leave one with your name and number.  It would be even better if you included your email address as well as the date and city of the class you are considering.  If leaving a voice mail message is not your thing, please email us at [email protected].

E-MAIL US AT [email protected] OR CALL 1-877-372-2231 OR click here TO LEARN ABOUT OUR PRIVATE ALL DAY OR HALF DAY CLASS

ASK ABOUT OUR BACK-TO-BACK SAME DAY WORKSHOP OFFER STARTING WITH A SIT-DOWN SESSION FOLLOWED BY A 3-HOUR DEMONSTRATION PHOTO SHOOT, LED BY A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

And in case you’re interested, click here to check out some FREE SAMPLES of our ONLINE CLASSES.