Urban Photography, Calgary

Last week, Bob Bear and I traveled into Calgary to do some Urban Photography. This genre of photography, like many others is open to broad interpretation. My focus on this shoot was Calgary’s Downtown architecture. Calgary has some very attractive buildings and boasts the second greatest number of skyscrapers in Canada, a distant second behind Toronto. That alone creates many photographic opportunities. I took many pictures but I’ll limit today’s selections to a half dozen I particularly like.

I begin with this segment of the Plus 15 system, entering The Bow, one of Calgary’s newest skyscrapers. The Plus 15 system is one of the world’s most extensive pedestrian skywalk systems, with a total length of 18 kilometres (11 miles) and 62 bridges. It links the buildings in the downtown core, offering good access among the buildings and shelter from harsh winter conditions. This bridge connects The Bow with the Telus building across the street. The shapes and lines in this image are what appealed to me.

Peace Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Bow River. The bridge opened for use on March 24, 2012. The bridge was built by The City of Calgary to connect the southern Bow River pathway and Downtown Calgary with the northern Bow River pathway and the community of Sunnyside. This connection was designed to accommodate the increasing number of people commuting to and from work and those utilizing Calgary’s pathways. The bridge is reportedly used by 6,000 people a day. The bridge’s architecture is a bit unusual and very appealing (in my opinion). Its construction attracted controversy for its design and its cost, reportedly in excess of $25 million.

 

Telus Sky is a 761,235 square foot  mixed-use tower currently under construction in that will incorporate office, retail and residential space. The architectural renderings of this building are very striking. I’m looking forward to the building’s completion to photograph it again.

This building’s former tenant is Imperial Oil and it’s a former workplace of mine. Despite its age, almost 40 years it remains architecturally appealing, with a mirrored exterior finish that reflects many of its neighbours on its surface. It’s name is Fifth Avenue Place West, it’s street address is 4th Avenue.

One of those neighbours, across 5th Avenue is  Bow Valley Square. It’s a building of the same vintage as Fifth Avenue Place West. It has been well kept and retains its appeal. My photographic eye was drawn to its repeating pattern of strong vertical and horizontal lines.

There remains much more to be photographed. I hope to get back there this summer.