Does this look familiar? It's NOT in Saltaire (or Venice!)... but it could well be. It's a building in the city of Manchester. It was formerly the Manchester Reform Club - a Victorian gentlemen's club for Manchester Liberal Party's elite. Designed by Edward Salomans, it was built in 1870-71, just as Saltaire was being completed. It too is Italianate, built in the Venetian Gothic style and it shares many motifs in common with Saltaire's buildings. In fact when I first saw it, I wondered if the architects were Lockwood and Mawson. Look at the arch and roundel pattern of the windows - seen here in Saltaire - and the patterned tops of the arches - see here. The elegant building now houses shops and a restaurant. You can see the whole building and a bit more about it here.
I couldn't decide if I like the B&W or the colour version best. If I was clever I'd have done a mouse-over but I still can't figure out how to add the html. So you can have two big pictures in one post today.
This is a super composition, and with the subject being architecture, I like it better in monochrome. All colour - except the striped arches - are a distraction. A very handsome building.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the B&W. There are a number of places online, where you can pick up the javascript for the mouseover effect. Give it a whirl.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer the B&W. Italy in Manchester and Saltaire, who could think that?!But that's true, it's really an italian architecture!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the B&W shows the details more clearly without the distracting reflection. It is fascinating to me as well to see the similarities in architectural styles in different places.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't figure out the mouseover thing, either. Why do these effects have to be more confusing on a Mac?
But in Italy the bricks would have that warm 'sun-kissed' look which is difficult to find in Manchester. That said, glorious Indian summer down here.
ReplyDeleteI prefer it in color ! Italian in black and white is impossible. BTW I can say your title each time Mr. G. enters a room !
ReplyDeleteI initially liked the b&w version best, but after playing with the color balance a bit (lessening the saturation of the reflected reds in the windows and increasing the overall saturation) I decided I liked the colorized version better. Either way, it's an excellent shot. Jim
ReplyDeleteThis was a great architectural period, Jenny. The B&W version is good, but my eye prefers the colored one, with the red flashes.
ReplyDeleteNormally, I am very attracted to B&W, but in this case, I think the strong colours really add something to the photo!
ReplyDeleteThis time I will say COLOR.
ReplyDeleteNice details and reflection.