On my drive back to Chicago from Newfoundland, I decided to revisit the New York State Capitol in Albany. It was one of the first state capitols that I photographed...and I've gained quite a bit more experience having photographed 48 more of these buildings. And, the New York State Capitol is one of the most interesting ones. 

The Great Western Staircase is located inside the New York State Capitol. It is also known as the Million Dollar Staircase. It took an unheard of 14 years to build this staircase at a cost of more than $1 million back 1883. During the course of those 14 years, more than 500 stone cutters and carvers were brought in from Europe. One of their goals was to carve 77 famous faces into the sandstone walls of the staircase. The sculptors spent years, at a salary of $5 per day (a big salary back then), to sculpt some of the finest carvings in the world.

Toward the end of this massive project, the sculptors were then permitted to continue adding faces--but faces of their choosing. So, along with the prominent faces are faces of friends, family and others (sometimes someone they happened to see on the street)--all of which can be seen when viewed from the staircase.

From a photography perspective, I found this staircase to be very challenging. The light streaming in from the skylight and side windows can be very harsh. And, it can be difficult to set up compositions from the stairs. It's also tough to shoot anything symmetric as the light fixtures are positioned in the most symmetrical locations.

To view my photographs of the staircase, CLICK HERE.

Great Western StaircaseThe Great Western Staircase (or "Million Dollar Staircase") inside the New York State Capitol building at State Street and Washington Avenue in Albany, New York on August 6, 2018. This staircase took 14 years to complete at a cost of $1.5 million dollars...back in the late 1800's. Great Western StaircaseThe Great Western Staircase (or "Million Dollar Staircase") inside the New York State Capitol building at State Street and Washington Avenue in Albany, New York on August 6, 2018. This staircase took 14 years to complete at a cost of $1.5 million dollars...back in the late 1800's. Staircase sculptureSculpture on the Great Western Staircase, also known as the Million Dollar Staircase, in the New York State Capitol building on State Street in Albany, New York on June 27, 2013 CarvingsIntricate carvings in the stone inside the New York State Capitol building at State Street and Washington Avenue in Albany, New York on August 6, 2018