Sterling Opera House 8-27-2013
Derby City Hall once operated on the ground level of the Sterling Opera House building, complete with historic holding cells built directly into the structure. Walking between these heavy steel partitions in the damp basement leaves a lasting impression of local municipal history.
The monochrome presentation accentuates the extreme peeling paint, pitted metal surfaces, and solid stone benches inside the holding stalls. A curved fisheye frame stretches the vertical cell walls toward an arched brick ceiling, with natural light filtering in from an adjoining utility room. Punchy contrast and deep black shadows bring out every bit of tactile, weathered grit across the frame.
