Others may think I have a problem but not me. I seem to be drawn to photographing stairs. I only realised this when I was looking for a particular image in my archives and typing "stairs" in the search bar revealed the extent of my addiction!
I'm not quite sure why I'm drawn to stairs but maybe I'm subliminally a MC Escher fan. MC Escher is an artist famous for uptipping perspective and leading the viewers eye on a wild walkabout. My original profession is technical illustrator and maybe that's why I like the three dimensional stuff created by the Dutch graphic artist.
Whatever and why ever I like stairs is a mystery but here's a set of images of more stairs than I knew I had!
If MC Escher was a lightpainter
When I spot a stairway I immediately think about rotating it in the dark! This stairway in an abandoned building was too good an opportunity not to spin burning steel wool!
A future lightpainting subject
On seeing these stairs and the vertical composition I nearly wet myself in anticipation of a return in the dark with a bag of lights and a tripod!
Raining sparks on togs
Another abandoned building and the stairs weren't quite orientated in the way I would have liked but moving up on to a higher floor and raining sparks from on high seems to work.
Abtraction
I spotted these illuminated stairs on a walkabout around Sheffield city centre in the dark. Rotating the stairs 8 ways worked out surprisingly well.
Rotating the Royal Armouries Museum
Being also addicted to camera rotation photography, I couldn't resist zooming in on this stairway lined with swords and military paraphernalia leading all the way to the roof. I think I may be due another visit here, it's been a while.
Alex gathering dust
I don't just shoot only in the dark. Here Alex ends up with a dusty bum after posing on a powdery stairway!
The Northern Quarter Manchester
Shot from a multi storey car park, I found this shot difficult to get a decent composition. The Northern Quarter is a curious area in Manchester with quite a lot of old buildings in need of repair but also surrounded by modern apartments. I would imagine these old decrepit places are disappearing year by year....
The Stairs of Doom
Shot inside the abandoned George Barnsleys & Sons factory, I couldn't resist adding a red LED light at the top of the stairs to create a bit of mood. Sadly after a recent fire around the entrance to this place, George Barnsleys has been sealed and is no longer accessible!
The Chair of Doom
I thought this composition was originally about the chair but I've since realised the stairs in the image lead the eye further in to the frame. Another shot also taken inside George Barnsleys and I doubt I'll ever be able to get back in here unfortunately!
Accidentally on purpose!
This is a reject shot where during the exposure we were disturbed by a group of kids in the dark. The white light is me running with a head torch to protect the camera gear!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
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