Captured from the intersection of Bay and Richmond Streets, this 2016 photograph looks upward at the clock tower of Toronto’s third city hall. Completed in 1899 after a decade of construction, the building’s Romanesque and Gothic Revival features are rendered here with a focus on the weathered textures of the masonry and the sharp geometry of the belfry. The use of a portrait orientation emphasizes the vertical reach of the landmark, which transitioned from a seat of local government to a courthouse and National Historic Site.

Brian Carson utilizes Silver EFEX Pro to achieve a high-contrast black and white finish that strips away the distractions of the modern city. By emphasizing the dance of light across the carved stone and the dark voids of the arched windows, the image highlights the architectural innovation of the late 19th century. The result is a grounded exploration of urban permanence, where the mechanical precision of the clock face anchors a composition defined by dramatic tonal shifts.