Arcade of Ostentation

The day dawned, cold, overcast a feeling of snow in the wind but thankfully that particular peril was not to beset us today.

This is a very early morning shot of the Argyle Arcade in Glasgow, it runs between Buchanan Street and Argyle Street and is home to most of the Glasgow Jewelers, up above the shops there are small workshops, images of a bygone age, filled with tools of the trade that have not changed for generations; many family businesses thrived here. The workshops were a side rarely seen by the public who wander slowly mostly looking longingly into the window bedecked on diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and every other precious stone imaginable.

The Arcade exudes affluence, the beauty of the vaulted glass roof, the quality of the iron trusses, finished in decorative style with beautiful detailed craftsmanship The Ostentation and affluence of the arcade is juxtaposed with the Big Issue sellers who pitch at the entrances hoping to entice the beautiful people to buy their magazine. Some turn away, some just walk on by, some look at the sellers with a condescending sneer and once in a while a bargain is struck and a kind word exchanged, not one of pity but a genuinely friendly moment a helping hand from one to another.

I was very lucky to get the shot when there was not a soul there and I just liked the feeling of depth, they symmetry and the globe lights warming up to sparkle the gems for the adoring public.

I hope you enjoy this simple image best viewed large!