"The Grand Staircase" - The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney - The HDR Experience

Philip Johnson

"The Grand Staircase" - The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney - The HDR Experience

MUCH BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE VIEWED LARGER

Thanks for dropping in your viewings,comments and if i’m lucky favouritings are greatly appreciated.

The Queen Victoria Building is currently undergoing a facelift at $37.5
million , one of the features is upgrading the paintwork to victorian period colours.

This image shows “The Grand Staircase* of Sydneys Grand Queen Victoria Building, and is an example of how grand old buildings can be restored ans still be used as money making concerns, in this case a grand shopping experience

The Queen Victoria Building, now affectionately known as the QVB, was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898, replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. The elaborate Romanesque architecture was specially planned for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen – stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists – in a worthwhile project. Originally, a concert hall, coffee shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople, such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers and florists, were accommodated.

The QVB fills an entire city block bound by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets. The dominant feature is the mighty centre dome, consisting of an inner glass dome and an exterior copper- sheathed dome. Glorious stained glass windows and splendid
architecture endure throughout the building and an original 19th century staircase sits alongside the dome. Every detail has been faithfully restored, including arches, pillars, balustrades and the intricate tiled floors thus maintaining the integrity of the building.
The visual message of Sydney’s coat of arms, on the cartwheel stained glass window, is that the beehive depicts business, the sailing ship – trade, and the dolphins – the harbour. Panel 1, on the left hand side, represents the Council of the City of Sydney, and symbols of architecture, while the letters I.G.B. on panel 3, on the right, represent Ipoh Gardens Berhad, the Malaysian company who restored the QVB.

The symbols are of property developers – the builders. The bottom central panel represents the heraldic symbol of a finished building and the joining of two hands denotes the fusing of two cultures. There are many interesting and charming exhibitions and attractions throughout the building, along with portraits of the Queen. There is also a letter from Queen Elizabeth II to the Citizens of Sydney to be opened and read by the Lord Mayor of Sydney in the year 2085. Outside the QVB, on Town Hall Place, facing The Town Hall are the Royal Wishing Well and Queen Victoria’s statue.

For More Information : http://www.ipoh.com.au/IPOH/QVB/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE134

Equipment – Nikon D300 Sigma 10-20mm lens
Technique : HDR 5 Bracketted images



"The Grand Staircase" - The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney - The HDR Experience belongs to the following groups:

All Around the Styles, Architectural Photography, Art from the Workplace, Australian Landmarks and Icons, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., HDR Photography (3 Photos per 24hr-day), Heritage Listed and Other Trusts Sites World Wide, New South Wales Photography, Nikon DSLR Users Group - 2 uploads per 24 hours, Out of the Past, Safe Haven, Shadows & Reflections, Shameless Self-Promotion, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, Sydney, Sydney's Guide to Exhibitions, UK to Australia and Back, Unwanted , Abandoned & Saved Through Preservation., Windows and Doors and Your Magic PLACE Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
"The Grand Staircase" - The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney - The HDR Experience by Philip Johnson
"The Grand Staircase" - The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney - The HDR Experience by Philip Johnson
  • Jamaboop

    Jamaboop

    Oh my word what a sight to see!!! I can’t believe how much there is to take in and view!! Amazing job!!!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Thank You Jama

  • Sandy Woolard

    Sandy Woolard

    WOW….This is an awesome angle and POV!!! Great work!!!!!!!!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Sandy thank you

  • UnEasy

    UnEasy

    Stunning – from your narrative, to wit “This image shows “The Grand Staircase* of Sydneys Grand Queen Victoria Building, and is an example of how grand old buildings can be restored ans still be used as money making concerns, in this case a grand shopping experience”, I’m reminded of the Musee D’ Orsay in Paris, it’s evolution from a train station into one of the premiere art galleries in the world. And you’ve captured the stunning architectural beauty so perfectly. Brilliant Philip.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you Kevin thats some comment , its a great building

  • vadim19

    vadim19

    Wonderful work! Great perspective!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you Vadim

  • Visual Inspirations

    Visual Inspi...

    Beautiful POV!!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Kazzoom IPA

    Kazzoom IPA

    lovely caputre Phil

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks Kaz its a great building as you know

  • ej29

    ej29

    What a wonderful capture….the color and lighting is wonderful!!!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Joel Hall

    Joel Hall

    Awesome shot! I love…well everything about it! lol

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Thanks Joel

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Terri Chandler

    Terri Chandler

    Wow! What a stunning photo and the history in your description was very interesting indeed.
    Well done! xo

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • barnsis

    barnsis

    So beautiful, excellent lighting and perspective.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • sendao

    sendao

    stuning shot,everything is just great!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Melanie Roberts

    Melanie Roberts

    It really looks grand in this photo Philip. The perspective is amazing.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Melanie
    thank you its a great building with many opportunities, its good they are giving her a facelift. The colours work well

  • kreesor

    kreesor

    Philip, You’ve really done it this time!! Amazing!! The POV is stunning!! :)

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks im glad i didnt fall over the bannister getting the angle

  • retsilla

    retsilla

    Superb!!
    View it larger folks.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities and LARGER shows it off

  • catnip addict manor

    catnip addict ...

    freakin awesome.
    freakin beautiful.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    WoW!......what catnip said….Superb!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks EG its a building worth a wander

  • Rebecca Bryson

    Rebecca Bryson

    excellent use of HDR not over processed/treated like I have seen some which for me is a big turn off as they look too cartoonie..this is excellent and an instant fav for me please add to the architecture and cityscape group please please!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Thanks Rebecca, its tender touch HDR, you need to give it a go

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Rebecca Bryson

    Rebecca Bryson

    This has got to be the best HDR work I have seen yet!!!!! out of this world I just can’t get over it!

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    Now this really is a winner mate – apart from the perspective, the detail etc, how did you get it without a heap of pedestrians wandering around?!!!!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    patience patience patience lol

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you Rosalie its a great building and worth a wander , they have done a great job with the new paintjob

  • Philip Golan

    Philip Golan

    Fantastic angle and shot .

  • Philip Johnson replied

    {hilip thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Noelene Davies

    Noelene Davies

    My all time favourite building when I come to Sydney Philip. Fabulous capture indeed.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Thanks Noelene

    I would love to [hotograph the old Ballroom which is now the Tea Room

  • Steve Cozart

    Steve Cozart

    This is my all-time favorite shot you’ve shared! Amazingly beautiful!!
    FYI – just got my D300 and same glass today!! whoohoo!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks Steve the D300 rocks

  • Jason Connolly

    Jason Connolly

    Top notch work here, well done.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you Jason your HDR rocks

  • Tom Gomez

    Tom Gomez

    Wow, a superb angle, wonderful composition, nice one Philip …

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks for the support as always Tom

  • Cherubtree

    Cherubtree

    Incredible shot..love the pov and comp! Colors are incredible..like a kaleidoscope!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you its a great building with many opportunities

  • Rees Pearse

    Rees Pearse

    I’ve gone through all your images, all I can say is all of your images are beautiful,superb, great and excellent! Great work!

  • Philip Johnson replied

    Thanks Rees there os a lot of images there lol

  • PhotosByG

    PhotosByG

    Philip, your photo is just as good as being there. Love the lighting. Cheers.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thank you , my research is it was once used as a Concert Hall, its good they are looking after the building

  • Terry Everson

    Terry Everson

    Excellent image Phillip, I like the way you have composed this with the stairway leading down to the stained glass windows.

  • Mike Barletta

    Mike Barletta

    Wow, what a sense of vertigo, that window appears to belong on the ceiling

  • Tiffany Brown

    Tiffany Brown

    This is amazing!!!! Wonderful capture!!

  • Qba from Poland

    Qba from Poland

    Wow … awesome composition, light and colors. Bravo !

  • Bruce Wallace (Wombatwal)

    Bruce Wallace ...

    Great angle, great image, well done.

  • Roddy Atkinson

    Roddy Atkinson

    Beautifully done great work!

  • Adam Bykowski

    Adam Bykowski

    This is awesome. What a beautiful piece of architecture and an image very well done.

  • Yvonne Less

    Yvonne Less

    Like your other great pictures…very spectacular shot! I like the light captured in your picture! Great!!

  • OZZREBELXTI

    OZZREBELXTI

    Great shot Phillip love the angle of the shot.

  • flokot

    flokot

    spectacular!

  • Barbara Brown

    Barbara Brown

    The HDR is great but also the depth of field and the composition! So much to see. The angle is great.

  • IRISHPIX

    IRISHPIX

    Great perspective!!

    IrishpixGallery

  • Braedene

    Braedene

    Brilliant angle – love the stained glass windows

  • Barbara Burkhardt

    Barbara Burkhardt

    I know the building and wondered how you managed to get this without shoppers in view? Also what shutter speed did you use? You’ve got me thinking …. Just LOVE the light, you have captured my favourite Syd building beautifully!

  • kathy s gillentine

    kathy s gillen...

    wow, excellent work and pov , must see large

  • Rebecca Bryson

    Rebecca Bryson

    OK this was your best HDR until the one with the cityscape and bay that is my all time fav now xoxo

  • phil decocco

    phil decocco

    philip
    could the designers have ever imagined this image?? I doubt it. Great job!
    phil

  • Jewd

    Jewd

    Your compositions are wonderful, taking something already amazing and enhancing it with your visions…

  • natureshues

    natureshues

    Superb!

  • Dane Austin

    Dane Austin

    Spectacular! I second what Jewd said :) :)

  • PhotosByG

    PhotosByG

    Congratulations! Your photo has been featured in “Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!”

    This photo was chosen because it was of a very high quality and it captured exactly the sort of work we are looking for in this group.

    Please keep up the great work and we hope you continue to add more of your excellent photographs to our group.

  • Catherine Sherman

    Catherine Sherman

    Wow! I tried to capture that shot, but it doesn’t come close. Gorgeous!

  • Deborah Austin

    Deborah Austin

    I can understand your fascination with it. Beautiful, truly.

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