First Direct 5 to 9 in focus - competition finalist

Not an easy shot. I took this in Leeds from my hotel room window. I had to lean right out turn 90 degrees and brace the camera against a drainpipe.

I was taken by the scene of so many offices - all lit up (probably not an eco-conscious company), and all empty but for three. Three men are working late in the middle row - from the left... cells (word chosen with care) one two and four.

The circumstances weren't perfect (window, sixth floor, no safety net etc) so the picture quality isn't up to my prefered standards, but the appeal is in the story it tells.

I'd all but forgotten about the picture until I stumbled across First Direct's photography competition in August 2007. They were looking for the best photographic interpretation of the five-to-nine economy. So I thought I'd have ago.

I then forgot about it again. That is until I recieved an Email via my website enquiring if a print of my entry in the competition was available. A few clicks later I found that I was one of twenty finalists! I'm very pleased with that.

Thank you to Mr T D for tracking me down - had you not done so I'd be completely unaware of the picture's success.

Date: 17/01/06

Location: Leeds, UK

Photographer: Chris Abbott

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