The Grand Staircase - QVB - The HDR Experience

Philip Johnson

The Grand Staircase - QVB - The HDR Experience

MUCH BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE VIEWED LARGER

Thanks for dropping in your viewings,comments and if i’m lucky favourites 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

See Also

The Grand Staircase - QVB - The HDR Experience belongs to the following groups:

# 1 ARTISTS OF REDBUBBLE , All Around the Styles, Architectural Details, Architectural Photography, Australian Landmarks and Icons, Bits and Pieces , Canon Vs Nikon (1 per day!), Digital Photography, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., Escher and Perspective Art 5/24, Freedom to Shine, Friends of Bangor and North Down Camera Club, Northern Ireland, Friends of RedBubble, HDR Photography (3 Photos per 24hr-day), New South Wales Photography, Nikon DSLR Users Group - 2 uploads per 24 hours, Out of the Past, Safe Haven, Shameless Self-Promotion, Stairs and Staircases, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, Sydney, Sydney's Guide to Exhibitions, Take Me Higher (Dynamic Range), UK to Australia and Back, What A Shot ( READ RULE"S) and Who are YOU to Judge? Available for sale as

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The Grand Staircase - QVB - The HDR Experience by Philip Johnson
The Grand Staircase - QVB - The HDR Experience by Philip Johnson
  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    This is going to be another Escher-like shot in B&W, I can feel it in my bones! Gorgeous tones and excellent composition.

  • Philip Johnson replied

    well there is a ebony and ivory relative waiting in the wings lol

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    How did I guess that might be!!

  • StarKatz

    StarKatz

    Absolutely BRILLIANT!!

  • GerryMac

    GerryMac

    just stunning mate! the colour! your treatment is fantastic Philip!

  • Simmone

    Simmone

    Incredible shot! I love the treatment!

  • Roseann

    Roseann

    Wow! I just love the colors.

  • Tom Gomez

    Tom Gomez

    Super HDR Philip …

  • Philip Johnson replied

    thanks Tom , i have an addiction to this staircase lol

  • odarkeone

    odarkeone

    BEAUTY HERE PHILLIP LOVE THE HDR EFFECT

  • Sue Buckingham

    Sue Buckingham

    Ooooo I was there a few weeks ago… stunning shot xx

  • Marilyn Harris

    Marilyn Harris

    Stunning work Philip! So love the colours! :o)

  • Karl Williams

    Karl Williams

    I’ve been flipping between the colour and the mono version trying to decide which I prefer .. and I honestly can’t decide. The colour version is more of a picture .. if you see what I mean .. but the mono version has more of an Escher-like quality which hold the eye. In both of them, the treatment is superlative. Can I take it the 5 exposures were at 1EV spacing?

  • Debbie Roelle

    Debbie Roelle

    awesome image

  • Fremme

    Fremme

    this series is so very impressive and this no different, love the lines, quite the abstract image

  • Jonathan Bartlett

    Jonathan Bartlett

    amazing. As Always!

  • Wendi Donaldson

    Wendi Donaldson

    You are a Master at these, Philip….. magical!

  • toby snelgrove  IPA

    toby snelgrove...

    Woooooh … all aspect excellent . great frame and processing … you are the man

  • LudaNayvelt

    LudaNayvelt

    AWESOME SHOT

  • Keith Reesor

    Keith Reesor

    Incredible capture Philip!! :)

  • ElYPares

    ElYPares

    Wow!!! Perfection.

  • Heloisa Castro

    Heloisa Castro

    great capture

  • John Dicandia

    John Dicandia

    Better than Escher. The next step! : ))

  • Melonie Wallace

    Melonie Wallace

    beautiful!

  • midnightdreamer

    midnightdreamer

    Wow, this is stunning, an amazing angle, an awesome view, I mean WOW!!!

  • woodgag

    woodgag

    awesome image

  • Andrew Murrell

    Andrew Murrell

    Definatly better viewed large. Just amazing.

  • Karin  Mai

    Karin Mai about 1 month ago

    like the artist escher. Beautiful work mate

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