Looking down at a curved spiral staircase
Architecture,  CBWC,  Monochrome Madness,  Photographic techniques,  Themed galleries

Gallery: staring up at the steps

May 19, 2023 / 56 Comments

There have been many times when travelling that I’ve stared up at some steps. I’m not the best at climbing stairs, but the incentives to do so are often great. A wonderful view, an interesting building, a slice of history … Any of these is likely to entice me to climb.

Steps and staircases have an inherent contrast built into them, with the angles creating slices of shadow and light. That makes them perfect for monochrome photography. So I’ve trawled the archives for Cee’s Black and White challenge theme of steps or ladders and found some of the flights of steps or stairs I’ve climbed in the past, as well as a few that I haven’t. I’m sharing these also for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

My feature photo has been used before in a gallery devoted just to that one staircase. But it was too fitting for this theme not to share again. That one is in London while the remainder will take you to Newcastle, Italy, China, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Guatemala, France and the US!

As always I have used Silver Efex for all my edits.

Looking up at an elegant spiral staircase

The Tulip Stairs at the Queen’s House in Greenwich, London: the first unsupported spiral staircase in Britain

Metal spiral staircase inside a brick tower

Looking up at the climb in front of us, Cape May Lighthouse, New Jersey

Worn stone spiral staircase

Looking down this time, in the tower of the Misericordia church, Tavira, Portugal

Rough stone spiral steps

Inside Rocca Roveresca, a fortress in Senigalia, Italy

Climbing the stairs of the Torre Guinigi in Lucca, Italy

Man walking up stairs inside a square tower
Shallow stone steps leading up between buildings

In the small hilltop town of Serra San Quirico, Marche, Italy

One of several flights of steps leading up from Newcastle upon Tyne’s Quayside

Stone steps between buildings
Stepped stone pyramid with stairs leading up

The Lost World pyramid at Tikal, Guatemala

Worn stone steps leading to a temple

Steps at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Steps at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing

Stone steps with ornate balustrade and urn
Spiral staircase decorated with ceramic tiles

Tiled stairs in the Musee Tiskiwin, Marrakesh

Stairs to the lower floor of the Jeu de Paume gallery in Paris

Woman walking past a flight of steps
Man sitting on the steps of a metal fire escape

Fire escape, Meatpackers District, New York City

At the Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, India

Man sitting on wide stone steps
White ladder leaning against an adobe building

Ceremonial khiva ladder at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico

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