Climber

OK, it may indeed be another set of steps, but this time I left it in colour.  I was drawn to these steps particularly by the fact that the cottage to which they led was particularly run down in an ever so pristine and well-kept Northamptonshire village.

I think that the steps to or from a building or area are supposed to give you a particular impression, that is how they are designed, not just as a way of getting from one level to the next.  If a building is well maintained then the original impression may remain.  These steps however, are being taken back by the ivy that is climbing from the bottom.  The tendrils seem alive and in the process of going further; the peeling paint on the woodwork is not the only thing that gives away the fact that this house doesn’t have regular visitors.

What do I like about this photo apart from the fact that it has steps in it?  I like the fact that the ivy growing up the stairs leads the eye into the picture, the wood of the porch continues the journey, but there is nothing but the corner of the doorway at the top, so you are left to imagine what the house is like.  The steps aren’t very well worn, so maybe the house isn’t that old, or maybe there is another way in?  I also like the warmth given to the steps by the Winter sun, even if the house isn’t inviting or maybe because it isn’t, there is a reason to linger on the steps and not go in.

This was again taken with my 50mm lens, this time ISO200, f/11 and 1/250 secs.