Governor's House
Perched on the southern edge of Calton Hill, this striking turreted facade is one of Edinburgh's most photogenic historic remnants, all that survives of the old Calton Gaol. The castellated stonework photographs beautifully against the sky, and you can compose tight architectural shots that isolate the towers, or pull back to include the sweeping context of Waverley Station, the Old Town roofline, and Arthur's Seat beyond. The building sits at a natural elevated vantage point, so a wide angle lens works well for environmental shots while a short telephoto helps compress the layers of the city behind it. Approach from Waterloo Place for the most direct view, or drop down slightly on the slope to bring the skyline into the frame behind the turrets. Overcast days soften the contrast on the grey stone, but golden hour light from the west gives the facade a warm, dramatic glow. (Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom)
