OK, I’m going to claim true innovation here by shooting an open rectangular shaped staircase from the bottom, up!
Normally, we photographers like to get as high up on a spiral or rectangular staircase and shoot down to achieve that dizzying and abstract cliche. How brilliant is this to take the exact opposite perspective.
This is an interior of the Salmagundi Club in Greenwich Village. I shot this a few years ago when I photographed all weekly presentations sponsored by the truly awesome preservation organization, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, GVSHP for short.
They’re an amazing band of dedicated preservationists that almost single-handedly, with a gargantuan staff of around 5, work to preserve the character and history of Greenwich Village, and beyond.
The Salmagundi Club’s present location, a brownstone townhouse at 47 Fifth Avenue, was purchased in 1917. You can Wiki it for more information. I did.
The Club has all the requisite old world mansiony (I just made that word up) features like parlors with marble fireplaces and expansive high ceilings. But I was really taken with with the central staircase and chandelier.
So next time your time you’re confronted with a beautiful open staircase, treat it like a great cocktail and, bottoms up!
Great shooting,
Bob Estremera