Black Diamond and Harbour Front

The Black Diamond is the black granite and glass extension of the Royal Library on Søren Kierkegaards Plads, on the Slotsholmen waterfront in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its tilted, mirror-like facade reflects the harbour and sky, and it sits right on the water, so the building is a strong subject for abstract and architectural photography. The best frame uses the waterfront walkway to catch the reflections of the building in the harbour and the passing boats, while a position on the opposite bank shows the whole structure against the sky. Blue hour is the best time, when the dark glass picks up the dusk colours and interior lights glow through the atrium. Daytime shots work too, particularly on bright days when the facade mirrors clouds, and overcast skies produce softer reflections. The building can be photographed all year, and the long winter dusk gives more time for blue-hour work. Inside, the atrium is open to the public and interior shots of the escalators, bridges and the wall of glass are free, though visitors should check the library's current photography policy and avoid the reading rooms. Crowds are light, and the waterfront is a popular spot for office workers at lunchtime. A tripod can be used on the public waterfront if kept out of the walkway, but inside the library tripods are generally not allowed. Drones are not permitted over central Copenhagen and Slotsholmen without authorisation. Entry to the building is free, and cafes and restrooms are inside the library. A wide-angle lens captures the full facade, and a polariser can adjust the strength of the reflections.