Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

By Peter Roberts

10 November, 2026

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photo of the year 2026
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There may be a feeling of déjà vu about this image as it was taken at the same place as my 2025 photo of the year, the steps by the Painted Hall in the Greenwich Naval College. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. We’ve all got our favourite locations that serve as benchmark for testing purposes, to say nothing of the futile endeavour to achieve the illusive perfect shot.

I was in Greenwich to finally use the last frame of a colour film in my Yashica D. Having done that and not wanting to waste the trip I remembered that in the bag was roll Kentmere 200 bought on a whim when it was first introduced to see what it was like. Into the Yashica it went and to the top of the steps I went. Rather taken with the long shadow cast by the young man at the bottom I was framing the shot when a figure a passed into the shaft of light to my left. I pressed the shutter button.

In spite of the light background I would like to think that there’s a touch of film noir in the resulting (lucky) image. If so, I hate to disappoint any romantics hoping for a happy ending for these two. Just as Valli does to Joseph Cotten in the closing scene of the classic ‘The Third Man’, she walked straight past him without so much as glance.

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About The Author

By Peter Roberts
Recently retired railwayman with a lifelong interest in all things photographic. A self-professed saddo: other interests include classic cars and model railways.
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Comments

Martin on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Wonderful picure and story. As an Austrian I like the "Third Man" reference. A movie much more in Austrians' collective memory than "Sound of Music"
Thank for shring your photo of 2026!
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Thanks, Martin. I can understand why the grim reality of 'The Third Man' should resonate more than the romanitised 'Sound of Music'. My mother was Austrian and I still find it hard to comprehend that she lived through the time portrayed in 'The Third Man'.

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Ibraar Hussain on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

This is a very nice capture
Lovely tones and feel
The eye immediately leads into the the family with the pram and onwards
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Thanks, Ibbs. That's much appreciated. I was impressed with the ability of Kentmere 200 to render mid-tones so well and will beusing it again.

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David Pauley on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

A photo with many elements all working together: the figures certainly, but also the worn paving stones, rich architectural details of the door frame, dark shadows and stellar light. The 6x6 format works perfectly for this one. Well done, Peter.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Thanks so much, David. There's almost 500 years worth of history in the architecture there that's well worth taking time to look with or without a camera.

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Gary Smith on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

I love high contrast Peter, this is a great composition.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

So do I, Gary. Some would say I go too far with it some times but I don't care!

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Fred Nelson on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Very nice! I like the dark foreground.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Thanks for your comment, Fred. It's much appreciated.

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David Hume on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Lovely shot Peter - dare I say that there's something about working with a TLR that allows one to be aware of events outside the frame and seize opportunities like this that might be missed with (say) an SLR with eye level finder? And of course luck of the person walking in to the frame is nought without the skill to recognise and capture it!
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 10/11/2026

Thanks, David. You're quite right, using a TLR means one has much more spacial awareness. And, of course, luck paid a major part. While the opportunity presented itself I could so easily have screwed up by capturing a leg awkwarkedly poised mid stride, something I have done many times.

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Michael Kaplan on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 11/11/2026

Peter,
I love this photograph. The composition, the overall tone. Very nice. And while Harry Lime certainly casts a more substantial shadow, I think the cinematic reference fits the bill perfectly! Cheers!
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 11/11/2026

Thanks so much, Michael. I'm very glad it all worked for you.

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Geoff Chaplin on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 11/11/2026

Lovely shot, framing and composition!
I must watch that film again - I think it's where there is the famous "cuckoo clock" story.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 11/11/2026

Thanks for your warm comment, Geoff, it's much appreciated. And yes, the 'cuckoo clock' story is in that film.

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Jeffery Luhn on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 12/11/2026

Very nice image! Do you process and print, or is this a digital shot. Just curious. No matter the process, it's a strong composition with an amazing range of tones. Especially shot in a challenging location.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 12/11/2026

Thank for your interest, Jeffery. The camera was a Yashica D. The film was Kentmere 200 at box speed processed in ID.11 1+1 for the recommended 8min 45sec. As you rightly noticed the lighting was challenging, I took a couple a readings with a Lunasix 3 and estimated (guessed) some sort of balance between the highlights and the shadows. As I'm only equipped for scanning 35mm the negs were scanned by Aperture Printing in London. I haven't done my own printing for many years and do not have a darkroom. Although I get the occasional yearning to go down that road again the thought of spending hours to get one print just right puts me off.

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Michael Murray on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 12/11/2026

Successful. Shooting directly into the light is always dramatic. The zones are all there 0-10, and laid out in a pleasing way. I particularly enjoy the silhouetted figure's shadow leading from the edge to the woman. The boldness and angle of the line really is an entry to the image, and into the story. The timing of when to fire with her footfall was also a great and makes the image in my humble opinion. Really phenomenal eye and attention to detail!
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 12/11/2026

Thanks for commenting, Michael. There was so much that could have gone wrong with this image given that it was spontaneous so your appreciation is very welcome.

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Cosme Lapena on Meet me by the Steps – My 2026 Photo of the Year

Comment posted: 15/11/2026

Great timing, Peter. That shaft of light does all the work, and the long shadow at the bottom gives it real tension. The Third Man comparison is spot on. I also like your idea of returning to the same place year after year as a benchmark. I do the same with a few corners of Barcelona, and it’s surprising how often they still give you something new.
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