Architectural photography: Just another building in Sydney, by the harbour, by night

... well not exactly.

This is one of the most recognisable and photographed buildings in the world today (well at least in the Southern Hemisphere anyways).

The Sydney Opera House, at Bennelong Point, was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon after he won an international design competition in 1957.

Believe it or not, the expressionist sea shell design and construction of the Opera House were beset by controversy right from the start.

Apart from being a bit too bloody radical for most 1950s and 60s Aussies, there were the inevitable cost blowouts, the fact that it was designed by a "foreigner" and, finally, the sudden resignation of Utzon himself, who had been overseeing the project from the beginning.

But, after the first sods were shovelled on site way back in 1958, the Sydney Opera House officially opened on 20 October 1973 ... finally.

Today, it compliments that other icon of Sydney Harbour, The Coathanger, just nicely. Don't you think?

Photo taken by me with my Nikon D70 while catching the ferry back to Circular Quay from Luna Park in April 2008.