486 steps to go by Retrotimes

In *486 More Steps*, a simple flight of stairs is transformed into a monumental ordeal. From an underground concrete tunnel, an endless series of steps rises towards a small, almost blinding point of light. At the bottom sits a solitary traveller. He looks up, as if wondering whether he really ought to begin the climb – or whether he should first take a moment to pluck up his courage.

The powerful symmetry makes the image almost hypnotic. Pipes, handrails and fluorescent lighting follow the curved shape of the tunnel and inevitably draw the eye towards the exit. The rough, weathered concrete walls and metal structures give the surroundings an industrial feel. Small Japanese inscriptions reinforce the sense that we are in a special place, deep beneath the earth’s surface.

The human figure appears small in comparison to the vast architecture. It is precisely this that adds a second layer to the image. The staircase can be seen as a physical challenge, but equally as a metaphor for perseverance, ambition and the sometimes daunting distance between where you are and where you want to be. The light at the top promises an end to the climb, but at the same time makes it clear just how much work still lies ahead.

‘486 Steps to Go’ combines urban photography, a Japanese atmosphere and minimalist imagery with a subtle touch of humour. A powerful work for lovers of architecture, travel and industrial photography – and for anyone who knows that some goals simply have to be achieved one step at a time.