Department of the Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach occupies a grand Edwardian complex on Upper Merrion Street, forming part of the Government Buildings ensemble that defines official Dublin. The symmetrical facade, ornate columns, and domed clocktower give you strong architectural lines to work with, and the building photographs well from the street where you can frame the full frontage with a wide angle or compress details with a longer lens. Position yourself across the road to capture the full elevation, or move closer to isolate the dome against the sky. Overcast days work particularly well here, softening shadows and bringing out the warm stone tones without the harsh contrast of direct sun. Guided tours occasionally allow access to the inner courtyard, which offers intimate angles on the architecture not visible from outside. Early morning on weekdays gives you the cleanest shots before foot traffic and parked cars crowd the foreground. (Dublin, Leinster, Ireland)