Tag: architecture

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W Edinburgh hotel

A large building with a unique curved golden coloured roof design.

Each visit to Edinburgh I try to walk up Calton Hill. It is my favourite lookout over the city centre. Having not visited for nearly ten years it mostly looked the same. The skyline of Edinburgh city centre is dominated by the neoclassical Georgian stone terrace rooftops and chimneys. Standing out from this is the relatively new W Edinburgh hotel. A 12 story 5 star hotel in St James Square opened in November 2023. This striking modern architecture is a bold ribbon structure of metal ribbons that twist around the building. Depending on who you ask some locals many likening its shape to the poop emoji or walnut whip. 



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Eiffel Tower from the River Seine

The iconic Eiffel Tower alongside a bridge over the Seine River, highlighting a picturesque Parisian scene.

In the foreground is the Esplanade David Ben Gourion and the Passerelle Debilly footbridge over the River Seine. Of my limited photographs of the Eiffel Tower from this year this is my favourite. The rays of light shining through the clouds on the tower and surrounding city make this photograph great to me. Whilst I didn’t get back to the Eiffel Tower at night I still had an amazing trip to Paris that I will never forget. Looking forward to many more adventures with my camera in 2026.

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Cheval Blanc Paris Hotel

A picturesque view of a river with a bridge and buildings lining its banks.

Boarding a tourist cruise along the River Siene I knew I wanted to look out for the Samaritaine building. Back in 2005 I had photographed Le Samaritaine from the river and shortly after it had been shut down due to fire risk. I had heard it was now a hotel. After 16 years of closure the department store was reopened in 2021 but part of the building (I assume the top part) is now a Cheval Blanc hotel. Hopefully I won’t have to wait another 20 years to get back to this part of Paris. Maybe on the next visit I will try and photograph inside this famous building. It probably has a great view of the city from the top floor.

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Christmas Metrolink tram Manchester

A bright yellow tram moves across the city centre square with a large Santa sculpture made of Christmas lights in the background.

Happy Christmas from St. Peter’s Square in Manchester. This was taken last year in November 2024 when I was in town just as the Christmas lights and market had started for the year. Back in 2007 I took a similar blurred tram photograph, St. Peter’s Square Metrolink at Night. I didn’t think it would take me 17 years to retake this photograph. This more recent photograph above was taken on a tripod but only a quarter of a second exposure and no flash. This captured more of the tram but still some movement. Putting the two photos side by side I can see how my photography has improved over the years.