Every day many thousands of people cross Princess Bridge, the picturesque gateway to the heart of Melbourne. Standing atop Princess Bridge at dusk there is a brilliant view west along the river towards the setting sun. Pass the bridge at this time and there are usually many people taking the same cliché snaps of the familiar view.

Getting close to the water level amplifies reflections and can provide a nice balance across the centre of an image, however high above the bridge this isn’t an option. I set out to look back at Princess Bridge from as close to water level as I could get. This image is at the end of the blue hour, with reflections of streetlights dancing across the water.

Lights of the Melbourne skyline at dusk reflected in the Yarra River.

I’d gone out to see the band Khancoban play at The Toff, one of several nightspots in a big old building on Swanston Street in the heart of Melbourne. Between sets I was getting some fresh air and admiring the view from the balcony, looking down at the shops and street life below. This other punter seemed suave and mysterious, deep in contemplation while enjoying a few vices and the view. I like the tones in this image, leaving the clouds the colour of the city lights.

A punter at The Toff in contemplation while looking out over Swanston Street.

When visiting the Royal Melbourne Show there were many tent stalls. This tent had the inside walls darkened and had strings of paper lanterns and fairy lights on display. I’d been on the lookout for an opportunity to create some nice bokeh with lights and this turned out well. Most of the brightly coloured lights were small fairy lights instead of the paper lanterns across the front.

Unusually for me this shot is straight out of camera. It’s often tempting to mess with the colours, getting the warmth and vibrancy just right. I usually like to get detail from all areas of the photo, though here the dark areas do well in hiding the walls of the tent, making it look like there is only darkness beyond the lights.

Strings of brightly coloured fairy lights and paper lanterns on display at the Royal Melbourne Show.

The lanes of Melbourne are renowned for their street art and graffiti. The maze like back lanes of the central city you’d imagine would be places to avoid at night. Instead there are many clubs and nightspots, very much a vibrant nightlife, as well as tourists and other photographers there to see the graffiti.

Every time I visit these lanes I don’t know what to expect as the layers of art build up over time. This particular piece, a depiction of the Hindu deity Ganesh, was created in early 2010 by “Deb” and could be found in Hosier Lane just off Flinders Lane. I haven’t been there lately and I wonder if it’s still there or now hiding under more recent work.

Graffiti of Ganesh in Hosier Lane Melbourne at night.