Captured in 2014 with a Canon EOS 60D, this portrait of the Gladstone House emphasizes the rugged permanence of the city's oldest operating hotel. Built in 1889 and designated a Heritage Property in 1973, the building’s Romanesque Revival features are rendered with a focus on realistic textures and the heavy, utilitarian design of the late 19th century. The choice of a portrait orientation forces the eye upward, mimicking the way a pedestrian encounters the overwhelming grandeur of its brickwork from the corner of Queen Street West.

The conversion to black and white via Silver EFEX Pro strips away the distractions of the modern streetscape, leaning into a dance of light and shadow that highlights the weathered surfaces of the facade. By emphasizing the contrast between the dark window recesses and the sun-bleached stone, Carson evokes nostalgic retro vibes that bridge the gap between the building's Victorian origins and its survival into the present day. The result is a photograph that treats architecture not just as a backdrop, but as a living record of visual communication across decades.