[Rob Barron]

I couldn't resist the gorgeous lighting that late afternoon gave me here so I spent a while grabbing some shots. This is an under-stated shot of the viaduct as I wanted to capture the way it just settles itself into the landscape.

I have a much more dramatic close-up shot of the viaduct which I'll put in the Crit thread tomorrow (already got one there today) for you to look at, entirely different to this one.

Hope you like it.
Cheers,
Rob

[danpen]

Nice shot, lovely golden light.

Architecture from the Victorian age does seem so much more complementary to the landscape than a lot of modern stuff. I don't know if that was deliberate or just because of the limitations of the materials they had available but could you imagine them building a motorway bridge nowadays that looked as good as that?

Of course, it may just be that we're accustomed to these structures being part of the landscape, perhaps when they were first built people saw them as an eyesore and felt the same way about them as I feel about the M62.

cheers

Dan

[P-E]

Originally Posted by danpen

Nice shot, lovely golden light.

[HIMUPNORTH]

Agree with above, with light like that you just had to use it. Lovely scene.

[Rob Barron]

Couldn't agree more Dan, we all travel the world marvelling at wonderful architecture yet when our town planners today are designing modern structures, they seem to forget all that and go for ugly monstrosities! Having said that, I am not claiming that all modern buildings and structures are ugly, not by a long way. As you rightly said, if the Victorians had had the materials and engineering knowledge of today, they'd have doubtless done things differently too. But they certainly understood the importance of elegance and that is rare with modern buildings.

I mean, Swiss RE building (Gherkin), Selfridges Birmingham (the Dalek), etc.... <spit> need I say more? They do make good photos but are a horrendous blot on the landscape. I mean, how the hell could anyone in their right mind build a glass bullet a stone's throw from The Tower of London and Tower Bridge!!!

Ok, off my high horse, back down to the ground. Cheers guys

Rob

[HIMUPNORTH]

Sorry Rob, I don't want to hijack the thread, but as you brought them up. As a rural Highlander who has only the odd castle (and a couple of viaducts ) to admire from an architectural standpoint I loved both the buildings you mention when I saw them first. They stood out against older buildings which stood in their company which some may disagree with however they are far preferable to the bland buildings we are seeing way too much of north of the border.
Good architecture should invoke strong feelings and mix form and function in challenging and interesting ways ( a bit like a stone built viaduct must have done all those years ago) .

Gary

[Rob Barron]

The great thing about architecture Gary is it is another artform and so will always have its admirers and detractors no matter what they do.

I feel the Gherkin is a monstrosity that has spoilt the classic skyline of our historic capital and this is the comment I here time and time again from my foreign students whenever I take them up to London for a guided tour and a trip on the London Eye. When you have not just the Tower of London but also St pauls, The Tate Gallery, The National Gallery, St Martins, etc. it does seem a shame to stick a glass bullet in the middle.

However, to offer a balanced point I must add that one of the most famous elements of the skyline of London is the Post Office Tower (now the BT Tower or something) which is recognisable by most British people but that of course is still relatively modern. I guess it is because it was built before I was born that I see it as a permanent part of London whereas a senior citizen might see it differently.

So I do see your point Gary, and I do agree in the most part. The examples I gave are two I personally consider ugly but others will see them as aesthetically pleasing. I mean, I hate the Selfridges building which is a bit surprising really.... I'm a big Dr Who fan

Cheers,
Rob

[JMitchell]

Like this one Rob, really good to manage to get both the structure to fit in and get a nice landcape at the same time.

[Rob Barron]

Thanks Jack

[simpbow]

Nice shot Rob great light .