The Double Helix

When I made this photograph, I was struck by the tension between form and function in the spiral staircase. The image does not seek drama or grandeur; instead, it isolates a fragment of everyday architecture and presents it as a study of rhythm and geometry. The curved underside of the staircase sweeps across the left of the frame, guiding the eye upward, while the metal railing introduces a vertical counterpoint. The steps themselves, worn and slightly uneven, add texture against the otherwise smooth surfaces.

From a technical standpoint, I opted for a straightforward exposure, allowing the contrast between the whites of the wall and the greys of the steps to carry the weight of the image. The tonal range is limited, yet deliberate: the lack of deep blacks preserves a softness, while the highlights avoid slipping into harsh overexposure. Compositionally, the choice to crop closely reinforces the sense of abstraction, reducing the staircase to a near-sculptural object rather than a functional passageway.

The image succeeds in suggesting movement through its form — the upward twist hints at continuity beyond the frame — while simultaneously holding the viewer in a suspended moment. It is, in essence, a photograph about seeing structure in the ordinary, and about how framing transforms a utilitarian object into something contemplative.