The Cap-Blanc Staircase, built in 1868 and the longest in Quebec City, has 398 steps leading to the Plains of Abraham. Many athletes use it every day to stay in shape. But tonight, I’m using a photography technique that makes the scene look a little less pleasant.
The camera’s tilt exaggerates the slanted lines of the old stone building near the staircase. This gives it a slightly more unsettling appearance while allowing us to see a not so inviting patch of sky.
The staircase itself, normally in very good condition, appears distorted due to the excessive use of the wide-angle lens. The result lends an even more sinister air to the scene.
To top it all off, as luck would have it, light streams from a few windows, just like in certain horror movies. Will the surprise come from the top floor or the dark rooms in the basement? Lovecraft’s versions , reimagined by François Baranger, spark the imagination.
For comparison, the photo below shows the staircase and the neighboring house as they appeared during the day, without any photographic effects.
Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City on my blog.