Warriston's Close Stairs
Warriston's Close is one of Edinburgh's hidden staircase alleys, dropping steeply from the Royal Mile down through layers of aged sandstone and weathered walls toward a sweeping view over the rooftops of the Old Town. The tight, narrow corridor of stone creates natural leading lines that draw the eye down the steps and out toward the cityscape beyond, making a wide angle lens in the 16 to 24mm range a strong choice here. Position yourself near the top of the stairs and shoot downward to maximize the depth and compression of the walls on either side. Overcast days work particularly well, softening the harsh contrasts between shadow and stone, though golden hour light catching the warm sandstone can be striking. The close is accessed directly from the Royal Mile and is easy to find, though the steps are steep and uneven so watch your footing while shooting. (Edinburgh, Old Town, Scotland)
