National Portrait Gallery

This wide interior captures the magnificent Great Hall inside the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. Its arcaded gallery and red sandstone arches set beneath a continuous processional frieze painted by William Hole are shot from the first floor. The building was completed in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery. The gallery is easily accessible, and very popular with visitors to the city.

An interior subject like this is independent of season so shoot any time and it’s a good option on a rainy day too. It is a relatively dark space so the light outside the windows will generally blow out highlights as a contrast. This image is shot from the upper level looking down to gather the arches, ceiling and floor into one sweeping view, but it also works looking in the other direction or upwards. The artificial light and golden colours of the frieze give the scene warmth, as do the hanging lanterns in the frame. ISO and aperture compromises may have to be made for hand held shooting like the shot above.