Cathedral and Arch
It was a bright morning in Saint Louis, and I was eager to capture the city's riverfront architecture. The iconic Gateway Arch dominates the skyline. The tallest of the U.S. National Monuments, the Arch stands tall at 630 feet, symbolizing the city’s role as the “Gateway to the West.” But my real interest lay in the older buildings that tell the city’s deeper story.
Near the base of the Arch is the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, known locally as the Old Cathedral. Built in 1834, it’s one of the few landmarks that has stood the test of time, surviving the fires and floods that marked the city’s early days. Walking around its grounds, with the Mississippi River flowing nearby and the cobblestone streets underfoot, you can feel the city’s past all around you.
However, my excitement was tempered by the sheer chaos of downtown Saint Louis. Cars honked, people rushed by, and the bustling atmosphere was anything but conducive to thoughtful photography. I had to figure out how to find calm in the middle of all that noise.
As I wandered through the park, the smell of street food hit me, blending with the fresh, earthy scent of the river. Street performers played music, people laughed, and the hum of a riverboat floated up from the water, adding to the city’s energy.
Amidst the towering structures, my attention was drawn to the contrast between old and new—the graceful curves of the Arch juxtaposed with the limestone walls of the Old Cathedral’s facade. I framed my shots carefully, blocking out the noise and movement around me. Each structure had its own story, and I did my best to blend the two into one that is uniquely Saint Louis.