Seattle Center Library


The Covid 19 pandemic has changed a lot how we use public spaces for the past year. Some of the public spaces have been shut for more than a year now. Some are gradually reopening with limitations and precautions but they are not yet functioning as they were before the pandemic hit.
One public space I miss as a photographer is the Seattle Central Library located in downtown Seattle. The library building is a huge 11 story glass and steel structure with an ultra-modern design.  Some might see the giant building as a grotesque modernist architecture and others like its functionality and futuristic look. Whatever opinions people have no one doubt that it is a unique iconic building. It attracts photographers and tourists alike from all over the world. 




From the outside, it is hard to distinguish the shape of the library which may look like a big pile of glass and steel but once you are inside it transforms into a well-designed highly functional space.  Unlike traditional libraries, the Seattle Central Library is bright and roomy with many purpose-built spaces designated from reading rooms to auditoriums. 


I like the library for its great functional space and its geometric patterns and wonderful natural light coming in through its glass walls and roof. This makes it an ideal place to photograph, no matter what time you visit you will find great lighting which makes the building and its patrons interesting subjects to photograph. The view from the building is also great for composing a unique picture of downtown Seattle. The steel frames of the building can be used as a composition tool when taking pictures from inside the library. 




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