Royal Scottish Academy rear

This is the Royal Scottish Academy seen from the rear plaza area, looking along its impressive row of sandstone columns. Built in the 1820s this impressive gallery has punctuated the foot of the Mound for 200 years. Shot at blue hour, the warm floodlighting and a row of ornate Victorian lamps lead the eye. This rear terrace is more spacious and often quieter than the front, although no less impressive. It offers a cleaner foreground and more room to work.

The ideal window is for this night-time shot is blue hour after sunset when the illuminated building glows warm against the dwindling light in the sky. A wide lens makes the most of the scene. Use a tripod for a longer exposure to ensure you keep the ISO low and aperture at an optimal setting for depth of field. The rear terrace area offers more space than the front. The photo (B) to the right was taken from the corner pavement on Hanover St.