Those Silos

I awoke at 05:40 thinking I was early. Unfortunately the clocks had been set back an hour which meant that the sun would be up in fifty minutes, not in one hour and fifty. It turned out to be a very beautiful sky. Which I enjoyed while making my way to the Silos. Unfortunately any colour had vanished by the time these pics were taken. So I'll try to go back. But rather than waste them, here are a couple for the record.

Handheld at 1/50. So the water really was this mirror like. Not a breath of wind... yet. You would not get this in the evening.

Then this happens: They get up early too. Must feel extra cool gliding through such still water. Wouldn't want to fall in though!

On the tripod with a filter for 15s. 

All of a sudden I see this A380 flying super low from North to South crossing the Yarra right above my head. I can hardly believe my eyes, nor my ears as it was so quiet. Almost felt unreal seeing one so low... except I have the pic to prove it (this was not taken with the bird lens).

A six-shot stitched pano (at 70mm) facing East toward the Hoddle Bridge (1938). Time for the City of Melbourne (or someone) to take responsibility for the shocking run-down graffiti-infected sign on top of those Silos!

Bike ride, Melbourne

One of these days I'll hook a camera on the bicycle and try to youtube the ride to the city. It's pretty, interesting, scenic. Half the fun in going into the city with a camera is getting there on a bicycle. The ride takes me roughly 1.5hours vs half an hour in the car. Felt like a good opportunity to unwind and burn some chocolate energy. Especially on a perfectly still blue-sky 22 degree day in Autumn.

I try to get something different each time I take the camera out. I still see perfect moments and forget (or am not ready) to click the shutter. If you neglect this 'art' you definitely slow down. Even if you're not artistic and I don't think I really am but I try. And it's good to walk and breath the air either way.

I usually take two cameras. One, an inconspicuous compact fixed 35mm focal length which usually takes most of the shots. The other a compact with a zoom lens just in case. Only used the zoom lens to compress the buttons on the concrete block (see lower down). Anyhow, here are some of my favs from today. Enjoy!

Such a good looking Tram, they should expect to have their pictures taken!

Spectacular new artwork on the old Nylex Silos.

This guy has incredibly strong fingers, hand, arm. He could do one-handed push up to his finger tips and then rotate his body. The word "Incredible" comes to mind.

They seem to like it (the pic they took)

Melbourne is now littered with huge concrete blocks intended to deter crazy people in vehicles running down pedestrians. Most blocks have been decorated by the creatively inspired. Some more inspired than others. This must be one of the more intricate ones, adorned with colourful buttons!

Everyone in Melbourne should have an umbrella cause you never know when... 

The Princes Bridge Hotel. Generally less photographed than it should be. Because we all focus on Flinders Street Station (just opposite - and in the background here). I still haven't a perfect shot at this place. Will keep trying.

So now I can repair my bike if it breaks down. In theory. Suspect all I'd be able to do is pump a tyre. But it's better than nothing and it's free!

Iphone pano from underneath the highway. No edits. Not perfect. But you get the idea. They are huge!

Supafish. Floating restaurant and recent addition to Southbank. It appears to be very popular, both with diners and photographers taken by the clever fish-like-skeletal structure. As you can see the leaves have begun to fall. It's Autumn!

Returning to London Bridge

They say you should go back. And practice makes perfect. I don't know about perfection. But I'd like to think I get better... and it's fun. Once again I was alone on this beach. That's a surreal feeling. It's such an extraordinary place. And a mesmerising place to be alone. Tonight my favourite shots were taken a few minutes before and a few minutes after sunset. It's officially Autumn. The leaves are beginning to fall in my street. But it was warm enough on the beach. Even the water lapping around my feet was... lovely. Anyone want to dust off a camera and join me next time?

Five minutes after sunset. So calm. 16mm 6s F8 ISO64 & a 6-Stop ND64 Filter

Sunset at 19:57 21mm 0.5s F16 ISO 64

The light! 19:48 22mm 1/15th F11 ISO64

The sea is a savage! 19:36 21mm 0.5s F18 ISO64

Melbourne, the day before Christmas Eve

I collected a print from the Photo Shop in Port Melbourne. Left that in the car. But it felt like a good day for a walk. So the car stayed and I walked north, toward the city. It's only 4km. I knocked off 2km's on foot; then trammed it to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (in Docklands). Then I photo-walked the city. All pics were taken with the one small 35mm-lensed camera over a handful of hours. I made my way up to Bourke Street Mall and lingered till nearly 9pm to try to photograph the (how many hundreds must there be) Christmas lanterns illuminated against the evening sky. It takes so long to get dark when you're in a hurry!

Melbourne conveniently showered us with summer evening rain providing some neat reflections too. Afterwards I took the tram back to Port Melbourne. Following instinct to know when to hop off as I've never taken that route before and now it was completely dark.

Stepping onto the platform I opened my maps app and the clever thing offered "Directions to your parked car" as first option. So I clicked that, finding it was parked only 300m away. I hadn't even told it where i'd parked. But it knew. How good is that!

A merry, blessed Christmas, everybody!

Everyone's getting in the last minute shopping.

Melbourne Town Hall, all wrapped up for Christmas.

Gingerbread Village!

Long line for the Gingerbread Village

The rapid art of making bicycles, Swanston Street

Bicycles (not yet complete) in a row

Girls and horses, horses and girls!

Priorities!

iphones and Ice creams, double trouble at Fed Square

What would we do without them?

Santa's Ferrari (maybe the reindeer are in the back)!

Some kind of street life. Christmas time must feel so hard for many.

For others it's a purfect world!

Catching a beautiful new multi-coloured tram

Why are they taking so long?!

Wouldn't be Melbourne if it didn't also rain on a sunny day!

Hundreds of lights!

Instant candid of this guy. Then I handed him $5 donation and he gave me a "free" fidget spinner and reindeer gear. Just one of so many great youngsters donating their time to a good cause. There is hope.