York Minster - Interior of the Lantern Tower

Photograph of the interior of the interior of the Central or Lantern Tower in York Minster, taken from ground level and looking-up into the tower itself. Sunlight streams through the windows on either side.

Standing at a height of 60 metres, the central tower in York Minster is also known as the Lantern Tower due to the light that enters via the windows located at the top of the tower. Wilson used all of his skill as a photographer to balance the harsh light entering through the tower's windows with the lower light at the base. An accurate judgment of exposure would have been necessary in order to balance the two differences in lighting. A review of this photograph featured in the British Journal of Photography for the 2nd February 1863.