Concrete steps

It was a beautiful winter afternoon for my weekly constitutional around UQ and I was on my own with the dog, so I took my time and explored some spots I don't usually go.

I decided to try to focus on one theme (although I did get side tracked) - steps. This was inspired by Nicole's kind comments of a couple of posts past, but I also wondered if setting a narrow topic would force me to look differently at the common things that I might ordinarily pass and not notice.

As it turned out, I found a few likely subjects. I chose these shots because they seem to capture different feelings from the same medium (concrete) that is finished very differently in different settings.

So there they are: the bare; the organic; and the smooth. (Canon 450D, 18-55mm zoom)

The Club

The Queensland Club was another subject that my friend, John, suggested that I investigate as it has a rather grand main door. The Club, located on the corner of Alice and George Streets diagonally opposite Parliament House, is a three storey rendered brick building incorporating Italianate elements. Its main door is atop the stairs off Alice St, although the members seem to regularly use the alternative entrance off George St. (OM2n, Tamron 135mm f2.8, f8, HP5 @ 400)

Path to Glory

This was shot in midday sun, which while not always the photographer's best friend, was perfect for picking up the repeating horizontal surfaces. After processing the image, I liked the effect of the lower half of the flight being bathed with a slightly mysterious light and was instantly reminded of the Biblical account of Jacob's dream of the angels on the ladder or stairway reaching to Heaven. In a more transient and earthbound sense, the title is still appropriate as this flight leads to the stage in the Roma Street Parklands.

Flights of Fancy

This was taken last month, but time has slipped by so quickly, I'm posting it a bit late.
Was quite an experience taking this shot of the parallel stairway and escalator from the Ground floor to the Piazza level of the Brisbane Convention Centre. There is something unbalancing, and unnerving, about hanging over a glass railing, leaning into space to get a shot - while passers-by mill about pointing at one in a semi-concerned fashion.
Well, I think I got the shot I was after. Hope the slight sense of vertigo is conveyed!

Stairs

A lunchtime foray into Margaret Street (corner Edward Street) last Wednesday produced this interesting view of a criss-crossing staircase. Photograph taken using a Canon EOS300 with Ilford FP4 Plus. Developed for 6:30 in Ilfosol S at 20C. I subsequently scanned the negative and edited the image in Photoshop Elements. There were several dust artefacts that required removal before the image was moderately sharpened and digitally toned using a custom process I have called "Old Newspaper 2". I rather like the added warmth this particular tone adds to the image.