Flack Block

Built in 1899, the Flack Block is one of Vancouver's finest surviving examples of Romanesque Revival commercial architecture, with its ornate terracotta detailing, arched windows, and rusticated stonework giving you a lot to work with even on a single facade. Position yourself across West Hastings Street to capture the full width of the building, or move in close to isolate the decorative brickwork and carved stone details with a longer lens. Overcast days are ideal here since the flat light brings out the texture and warm tones of the masonry without harsh shadows cutting across the relief work. A wide angle works well for the full facade composition, while a 70-200mm lets you compress and isolate the upper-floor arches and cornices. The streetscape around it adds context, so including the sidewalk and street level gives a sense of scale. (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)