Every year on ANZAC Day there is a march in Melbourne from the city along St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance. This year the weather started off cold, though warmed up to be a nice clear day. I watched most of the march, capturing photographs of many of the participants. Lest we forget.
ANZAC Day 2013 march on St Kilda Road in Melbourne, Australia.
Here are a couple more shots from last weekend’s ‘black glass’ workshop at Mentone, and a shot of the brilliant red sunset later in the day at Brighton. The different shots reflect just how dramatically the lighting conditions can change throughout the day along Port Phillip Bay.
A branch washed ashore by a weathered groyne in Mentone, Australia.
A long exposure of seagulls resting on rocks in shallow water at Mentone.
A seagull glides over sunlight reflected on the water of Port Phillip Bay at sunset.
Today I attended a workshop on using neutral density filters, hosted by Melbourne Photowalkers. I went along to share some of my experiences using “black glass”; filters as dark as welding masks that block almost all light. I’d used such a filter in my “Floating Islands in the Philippines” photo and they are ideal to make water look silky smooth, even on a sunny day.
We met up at Mentone beach, in Melbourne, and while waiting for everyone to arrive I took a few shots. It was such a nice sunny day today that even with the black glass it was a challenge to make the water smooth. This shot features one of the many little jetties along the beach. I like to include a solid feature in such shots, otherwise the photos pretty much all turn out as a sliver of detail wedged between silky smooth sky and surf.
A jetty in Mentone at the Melbourne Photowalkers “black glass” workshop.
The Google Anniversary Photowalk in Melbourne last Saturday, #collingwalk, was a maze like adventure through the back streets of Collingwood. It felt as though down every little lane and alley and behind every rubbish bin was a graffiti mural or other artwork.
Thanks to Paul Pavlinovich for once again organising the event, and to the regulars that make the events so enjoyable. Many of the photos I took were of the graffiti, and I enjoyed heavily processing the photos. The style may not suit all photos, though I enjoy making the graffiti stand out by using strong contrast and heavily saturated colours.
Google Anniversary Photowalk “Collingwalk” through the laneways of Collingwood in Melbourne.
Last Friday I was fortunate enough to attend a Melbourne Photowalk hosted by Brian Matiash and Nicole S. Young. Many thanks to the couple for visiting Melbourne and hosting the photowalk. I enjoyed exchanging photography tips with Brian.
Also thanks to Paul Pavlinovich and all the Google+ regulars who make the local photowalks so enjoyable. Here are some shots from the walk, which took in some of Melbourne’s graffiti covered laneways.
A frozen romance by the Yarra River overlooking Melbourne.
Every summer the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs a series of free concerts at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Thousands of people attend in the warm evenings to picnic while listening to classical music in the open air. Beyond the parkland the sun sets over the nearby Melbourne skyline.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
On a beautiful summer’s day faeries amassed from across Melbourne at Treasury Gardens. The Faerie Queen and Faerie King led a grand procession of Faerie Folk through the streets of Melbourne. Accompanied by a cornucopia of other fantasy creatures, and adorned with streamers, bells, bubbles and other fancies, the rade was quite a spectacle. The merry folk concluded the rade at Queen Victoria Gardens for a picnic.
The Midsummer FAERIE RADE – 2013 in Melbourne, Australia hosted by Golden Owl Events.
On Australia Day I happened to be near the Shrine of Remembrance when the firework show started. I could see there was a good view from the shrine so I grabbed my camera and tripod and raced up the hill to grab a few shots before it was all over. Here are some hurried shots from partway up the hill, and the spectacular view from the shrine overlooking the Melbourne skyline.
Fireworks over Melbourne from Shrine of Remembrance
On Thursday evenings throughout summer the St Kilda Twilight Market attracts crowds of spectators as twirlers perform fire play. Moving to the rhythm of African drums, the performance includes staff, hoop, poi, juggling and many other circus arts. Occasionally I’ll bring along fire torches to juggle.
Fire play at St Kilda Twilight Market in Melbourne, Australia
Watching the sunset at Brighton Beach in Melbourne I noticed the moon also wasn’t far off setting, with plenty of colour still in the sky. The day was warm and the sky near the horizon hazy, with mirages over Port Phillip Bay. The moon sunk towards an anchored ship and the distant You Yangs, some 50 km away, and dipped below the horizon at last light.
The moon at dusk over the You Yangs and Port Phillip Bay.
