I wish we had fire escapes like this in Australia, I think they are amazing (and a bloody good idea ;) they may have almost historical value - or do they still build them like this nowadays ? I also like the POV you choose, probably not much choice there - unless you are visiting someone who lives there ? ;)) It's even fun just to scroll up & down, up & down ... you get the picture ;P BB

Great capture Bill I don't think I've seen any newer buildings with the fire escapes installed

Oh cool! There's a guy on the fire escape! :) Excellent image. Contrast, composition, light ... all superb. LOVE the b&w treatment. Nicely done!! :*

This is superb and love the mono tones. Not sure if I would like to have to use them but with flames around your backside you wouldn't think twice Bill.

Amazing capture Bill. God bless.

Horrifying to use! I would probably have to burn.. but then nothing would get me up there in the first place. A brilliant photo!

Super pic, like an old film. Xxx

Wonderfully composed urban geometry that looks like it could have been taken 50 years ago. Growing up in NYC, fire escapes were a common sight, but unless my memory fails me, I don't recall ever actually being on one...

Such a great shot, but I hope nobody needs to use the outside stairs. Why the guy is using it, wil remain unknown for us, I guess.

Wow...this b&w photo really works quite well... Giving the old Olympus a work out, eh? LOL

Great capture!!

wonderful

excellent in mono

Rectangles and rhomboids abound in this fine high contrast capture of the fire escape(s) and buildings, Bill. There is nothing like this in my small community. Lots of it, though, in downtown LA.

I miss these, modern buildings just don't have the same kind of appeal. Wonderful composition!

I loved the difference between the shaded side and the sunlit side. A great idea to go with the B&W version Bill - excellent contrast!

Great contrast and detail in this shot, Bill! B&W is so perfect for this! Good to see you posting again, buddy! :-D

Very nice capture Bill.

Yeah! Fire or not, I'd be somewhat nervous about using that lol Good shot mate. Rob

I've walked the streets of Chicago so many years, I don't remember locales or street locations anymore: I just know them by 'feel'. I have no idea where this is, address-wise; but the sight is totally familiar. I've seen sights like this so many times. CLaude was talking about NYC fire escapes, but aren't a lot of them---or WEREN'T a lot of them---on the street side? I'm pretty sure they were, if not any longer...Well, Chicago's fire escapes are definitely on the sides and backs of the bldgs, which makes for fascinating light and contrast, because you already have the shade of enclosed alleys, etc; and the escapes just add articulation to that shade (via a host of lines and juxtapositions). A tight cloistered crop, bringing the lines tightly together, and the light/dark contrasts right on top of each other. And you have modern behind semi modern, with some old too. A fine shot, bill, and wonderful in Black and White.