FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Spectators

Half the fun of attending any live sporting event is getting to attend it with thousands of people.

Taking a photo of the big screen

Close-up photo of a Swedish supporter in the stands at a stadium. The supporter is taking a phone of the stadium's big screen with her smartphone.

Half-time is a good time to take a selfie

Photo of two Colombia supporters in the stands at a football stadium. They are taking a selfie with a smartphone. The supporters are dressed in Colombian colours, and the woman has a Colombian flag draped around her. They have their backs to the pitch, and are both holding glasses of beer in their hands.

Half-time photo opportunity

Photo of a group of people taking a photo of people dressed up in costumes at a football match.

Jody Brown supporter

Photo of a man sitting in the stands at a football match. The man is holding up a large, hand-made sign that reads “Jody Brown U R Gold” and has the number ten written on it.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Behind the scenes

This FIFA Women’s World Cup (football) was held in Australia and New Zealand this year, and I attended two of the round-of-sixteen matches held in Melbourne. (I did have tickets to two other matches, but work got in the way and I wasn’t able to attend those.)

One of my favourite things to do at large events like this is to document the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on. I am a producer / events organiser / behind-the-scenes person at heart, and I do enjoy seeing – and, evidently, photographically documenting! – how things are run.

Stadium

Birds on the pitch 90 minutes before kick-off

Wide angle photo of a large football stadium. The stands are mostly empty and there are only four people in bright red puffer jackets standing in the centre of the pitch. Also on the pitch are a couple of dozen seagulls sitting on the grass.

Watering the pitch

Wide-angle photo of a large football stadium. Five large water sprinklers are spraying water onto the grass along two sides of the pitch.

Grounds keepers make their final adjustments to the pitch

Photo of two grounds keepers walking across a football pitch. They each have a small pitchfork in their hands, and they are using those to push in any bits of loose soil or grass.

Grounds keepers flattening the pitch during the half time break

Photo of three grounds keepers in the corner of a football pitch. Two are picking up any small debris they find, while the third is using a small pitchfork to push-in any bits of loose soil or grass.

Doing the phone camera spectator participation thing

Wide angle photo of a large football stadium with most of the big lights turned off. Several thousand spectators around the stadium have turned on the flashlights on their cameras and are holding them up in the darkened space.

Full house at USA v Sweden round-of-sixteen match at

Photo of a large football stadium screen that reads “Attendance 27,706”.

Full house at Colombia v Jamaica round-of-sixteen match

Photo of a large football stadium screen that reads “Attendance 27,706”.

People

Ushering spectators

Photo of an usher wearing a blue, padded jacket standing at the top of a flight of steps leading into the stands at a large football stadium. The stadium is mostly empty at this time.

The only folks not watching the game

Photo of four security guards in bright yellow, high visibility vests sitting in low chairs along the breadth of a football pitch. They have their backs to the football pitch and are, instead, keeping a close eye on the spectators who are watching the match.

Keeping an eye on the crowds

Photo of a security guard in a bright yellow, high visibility vest sitting in a low chair outside the corner of a football pitch. The guard has his back to the pitch and is, instead, keeping a close eye on the spectators watching the match.

Assistant referee

Photo of an assistant referee standing by the side of a football pitch, holding a flag in her hand. The referee is keeping a close eye on what is happening in the match.

Photographers and videographers

Aligning the cameras behind the goal

Photo of a camera operator lying face-down on the grass behind a goal at a football stadium. The operator is looking through, and making slight adjustments to, one of the many cameras placed on the pitch in a line behind this goal. In the top of the frame is an assistant placing small plastic markers along the pitch (in front of a small, portable goal) for the players to run along during their warm-up before the match.

Getting ready to capture the match

Photo of several photographers and videographers in the process of getting ready to photograph and film the upcoming football match. In the top-left corner of the photo are two videographers aligning their cameras behind the goal. Along the left of the photo are several photographers setting up their equipment next to the boundary fence of the pitch. A couple of photographers, carrying cameras or wheeling them in bags, are walking along the breadth of the field as they make their way to their assigned locations.

Gaggle of photographers

Photo of about a dozen professional photographers seated on the outside of the fence surrounding a football pitch. They are all looking through their cameras at the match taking place in front of them.

Operating the primary broadcast camera

Photo of an operator standing in front of a broadcast video camera that's been set up in a bright orange, walled-off area among the seats on one side of a large stadium.

Capturing fan reactions

Photo of a roving videographer and an accompanying security guard. The two are standing next to a stand full of spectators in a football stadium. The videographer is broadcasting live video of a group of spectators.

On-camera talent

Getting ready for her live cross

Photo of a TV presenter wearing a long, light-blue coat and holding a microphone in her hand. She is getting ready for her live broadcast from the side of a football pitch.

1/3 Getting ready for their live cross

Photo of two sports commentators standing at the edge of a football pitch in front of a small, tall, round table. They are in the process of getting dressed for their upcoming appearance on camera. The woman is adjusting her tan trench coat and the man is putting on his suit jacket (which his producer producer is helping him with). Their camera operator is standing a short distance away, ready to go.

2/3 All set for their live cross

Photo of two commentators making final preparations for their live broadcast from the side of a football pitch. They are standing with their backs to the pitch, and are facing a camera, a screen, and two lights that have been set up in front of them.

3/3 Making their live cross

Photo of two commentators making a live broadcast from the side of a football pitch. They have their back to the pitch and are facing a camera, a screen, and two lights that have been set up to face them.

AMWP at Emerging Writers' Festival 2023

Nadia’s publication, the Australian Multilingual Writers Project, was invited to present a session at the 2023 Emerging Writers’ Festival in Melbourne.

I went along and took a few photos :)

Nadia getting ready to host the event

Photo of a woman standing on a stage and leaning out from behind a tall, blue pull-up banner that reads “Australian Multilingual Writing Project”. Next to this is another tall banner, this one green, that reads “Emerging Writers’ Festival”.

Podium microphone at the Immigration Museum

Close-up photo of a black microphone mounted on a podium. In the background, and out of focus, is a large, empty exhibition space bathed in pink light. The room is built in the Italianate revival style of Victorian-era architecture, with tall Ionic columns and a very high ceiling.

Sneakers on the floor of the Long Room at the Immigration Museum

Photo looking down at a pair of white sneakers that are bathed in pink light. The floor is a pattern of black, white, and red terra cotta tiles.

Colourful shoes in a colourful room

Photo looking down towards a terra cotta tiled floor. From the left of the frame you can see the legs and feet of a person seated off camera. This person is wearing a yellow skirt with bright patterns on it, light blue socks with flower patterns on them, and slightly darker coloured light blue shoes with a different flower pattern on them. Another person is standing on the tiled floor with pink coloured trainers with blue lines on them. This person is also wearing white coloured ankle warmers and light brown coloured pinstriped shorts.

The stage is set

Photo looking through a doorway at a large event space that is bathed in pink light. There are people seated on plastic chairs that have been set out in rows in front of a stage. On the stage are two pull-up banners. The smaller blue coloured banner reads “Australian Multilingual Writing Project” while the larger green banner reads “Emerging Writers’ Festival” and “14-24 June 23”.

Nadia at the podium, preparing and then performing

Madhvi Singh Thakur, Gabriela Georges, Asiel Adan Sanchez performing

Candid photos of the performers

[Photo walk] Flinders Street, Melbourne

Overhead construction gantry on the corner of Collins and Flinders Street

Photo looking up at a large construction gantry erected two or three stories above the road. You can see the underside of the gantry and, above the gantry, is a tall, white construction crane with the Metro Tunnel project logo on it. Behind this platform is a wide hotel building.

Keeping an eye out for their friends at the steps of Flinders Street Station

Photo of two women at the top of a wide flight of steps that leads into a building. One woman is sitting on the metal hand rail that runs along the steps. The other woman is standing to the side, a few steps back from the top of the stairs. Both women are looking off-camera at the people walking towards the entrance of this building (which is Flinders Street Railway Station). In the foreground, and out of focus, is a woman on her phone walking across the frame of the photo

Flinders Street Station ready to be lit up for RISING festival

Photo looking up at the entrance to Flinders Street Railway Station. The railway station building is a brown, Edwardian structure with a large, green dome and a large clock above the main entrance. Affixed to the building, just below the clock face, are large, serif-font letters that read “RISING:”. These letters will be lit up as part of the RISING festival in Melbourne.

Keeping to herself on the banks of the Yarra River

Photo of a woman sitting cross-legged on the edge of a walking path along a muddy, brown river that runs through a city centre. The woman is looking down at her smartphone, and she has her backpack placed next to her.

Keeping to himself on a bridge across the Yarra River

Photo of a man wearing a jacket and backpack standing by the stone railing of a bridge that spans the Yarra River in Melbourne. The man has his back to everyone and is looking out across the river. Another man is walking across the frame behind the first one.

Dropped shoes at the entrance of Flinders Street Railway Station

Black and white photo of a pair of trainers lying abandoned on the floor, all by themselves, some distance from the entrance to a train station.

[Photo walk] Collins Street, Melbourne

Clouds reflected off Mövenpick Hotel

Photo looking up to a very tall, blue-glass covered building. The building has rounded edges and two large curves along its length, making it look like a fancy water bottle. There are white, puffy clouds in the blue sky behind the building, and two large clouds are also reflected in the windows of this building.

Road expansion joint in Collins Street, next to Southern Cross Station

Photo of a metal, zigzag shaped road expansion joint built into the surface of a road. A motion-blurred car is driving over this joint as is drives down the road. Across the road from the photographer is the entrance to a large metropolitan train station.

Maintenance work along Collins Street

Photo taken from close to the ground of a large maintenance hatch built into the footpath of a metropolitan road. The hatch is lying open and a large piece of equipment (electric or communications?) that’s attached to a pair of well-shielded cables is lying outside the hatch. In the foreground of the photo (and out of focus) is a silver coloured adjustable wrench. The open hatch is surrounded by bright yellow, temporary, safety fencing, and this photo has been taken from underneath this fence. A bunch of cables exiting this hole in the ground are snaking their way into the back of a while panel van that's parked on the side of the road.

Down-tools at this maintenance site on Collins Street

Photo taken from close to the ground of a large maintenance hatch built into the footpath of a metropolitan road. The hatch is lying open. In the background of the photo (and out of focus) is a large piece of equipment (electric or communications?) that’s attached to a pair of well-shielded cables and is lying outside the hatch. In the foreground (and in focus) is a silver coloured adjustable wrench. The open hatch is surrounded by bright yellow, temporary, safety fencing, and this photo has been taken from underneath this fence.

Driving a coach along King Street

Photo of a driver concentrating on the road as he drives a grey coloured Irizar/Mercedes-Benz coach along a metropolitan road. You can see reflections of tall buildings reflected in the front windscreen of this large bus.

Heading home from their worksite on a Friday afternoon

Photo looking downwards the footpath at the intersection of two roads. Several people are standing in a group, waiting for the light to change so they can cross the road. You can only see these people from the waist down, and they are all wearing work pants or jeans. Everyone in the photo is wearing tan coloured, heavy, steel-capped, work boots.

[Photo walk] Along the Yarra River #1

Every Friday after work I walk through the Melbourne city centre so I can take some photos. I took these ones on a walk along the Yarra River.

West corner of Melbourne City View Apartments

Photo of the top few storeys of the wedge-shaped end of a multi-storey residential apartment building. The photo is taken on a clear day with a deep blue sky.

Under the train lines crossing over Flinders Street

Photo of a man waiting at an intersection underneath several elevated train lines. The man is waiting to cross the street. He is wearing white shorts; a blue, short sleeve, button down shirt; black-and-white sneakers, and printed blue socks. To the right of the man is a massive, square rock pillar that’s holding up the elevated train lines. To the man’s left is a pole on which there is a pedestrian crossing sign and a painted sign that reads “Pedestrians watch for traffic”. On street in front of a man is a tram that’s waiting for the signal to turn green so it can cross the intersection. Across the street, coming towards the man, is another tram waiting at the intersection for its turn.

People walking down Oris Walk, next to Lamont Bridge

Black-and-white photo of two people walking across a walkway next to a road and tram bridge that crosses a river in the middle of a city. Behind the people are several tall buildings.

Helicopter taking off from Microflite Melbourne Heliport

Photo looking up at a dark-blue-and-white helicopter (an Airbus H135) that’s just taken off. Behind the helicopter (but below the helicopter in the photo) you can see three tall buildings against the blue sky.

Helicopter landing at Microflite Melbourne Heliport

Photo of a red-and-gold helicopter (an Airbus EC130) seconds away from landing on a helipad build in a pontoon on a wide river in the middle of a city. A sign on the side of the pontoon reads ‘Microflite Melbourne Helipad’. In the background of the photo are several tall and short buildings, as well as a bridge across the river.

That's Australia for you

Photo looking up at a set of red, yellow, and green traffic lights that are covered with cobwebs. These traffic lights are underneath a bridge. You can see the slice of a city in the background from underneath the bridge.

Yeah buoy!

Photo of three buoys – one red, one yellow, one green – on a river in the middle of a city. The photo is taken through the horizontal wires of a metal fence along the river. In the background of the photo there is a bridge across the river and lots of tall buildings that make up the city centre.

Train from Flinders Street Station

Photo of a train going down an elevated train line in the middle of a city. Below the elevated train lines are several cars waiting at a red light. In the background, above the train, are several tall buildings.

Stopping to check her phone where the bike trail widens

Photo of a woman sitting on a bicycle. The woman has stopped cycling, one foot on the ground, and is taking something out of her bag. The woman is wearing a bicycle helmet that has several zip ties attached to it, making the points of the zip ties look like antennae. These are to deter and protect her from swooping birds. The bicycle path the woman is on runs alongside a river, and the woman has stopped underneath a bridge that crosses the river because the path here has widened considerably. It is dark in the shade under the bridge. In the background of the photo, in the bright sunshine, you can see dozens of people walking along a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river. You can also see several boats traversing the river or moored along its banks.

Lime e-scooter delivery at Flinders Street Station

Photo of a large, white delivery van with its rear doors open. The van is parked in a delivery parking space next to a large train station. Inside the van are several green-and-white coloured e-scooters. A man in a high-visibility shirt is taking scooters from his van and is placing them along the sidewalk next to the train station.

Lady Justice watching over the Supreme Court of Victoria

Lady Justice above the Williams Street entrance to the Supreme Court of Victoria

Photo of the side of the historic Supreme Court of Victoria building, as well as some trees growing in front of the building. This bluestone building (completed in 1884) is built in the classical Renaissance Revival style. On the roof, above one of the building’s entrances is a large, bronze figure of Lady Justice. Unusually, Lady Justice is neither wearing a blindfold nor is she holding up the scales of justice. Those scales are resting on her knee. The Victorian state flag is flying on a pole jutting out from above the first floor of this two-storey building.

Bronze figure of Lady Justice atop the Supreme Court of Victoria building

Photo of the top of the historic Supreme Court of Victoria building, as well as some trees growing in front of the building. This bluestone building is built in the classical Renaissance Revival style. On the roof, above one of the building’s entrances is a large, bronze figure of Lady Justice. Unusually, Lady Justice is neither wearing a blindfold nor is she holding up the scales of justice. Those scales are resting on her knee.

[Photo walk] Melbourne buildings, part 2

Here are some photos of buildings and cranes that I’ve taken over the last few days.

Trees on the level 29 balcony

Photo of a balcony that goes around the entire floor of a tall building. Planted along the edges of this balcony are several small trees in a row. The green of these trees contrasts with the blue of the sky that's reflected in the multi-angled glass windows of the floors above this balcony. This photo is taken from a neighbouring tall building.

Mr Cart at work

Photo of a very tall building-construction crane taken from below. The crane is framed between two buildings. The one on the right is under construction. A large sign attached to the back of the crane reads “Mr Cart”.

Media house entrance next to Southern Cross Station

Photo showing the length of an under-cover corridor of an office building. A large sideways sign that is taller than the door next to it shows the logo of the newspaper ‘The Age’.

Living in the Melbourne CBD

Photo of the very tops of two tall buildings taken from below some trees at street level. The two buildings are located in the Melbourne central business district (CBD), with the Liberty Tower Serviced Apartments building on the left and the (much taller) Melbourne Sky High Apartments building on the right.

A crane named Janet

Photo of a very tall building-construction crane taken from below. The crane is framed between two buildings, an older building on the left and modern building on the right. A large sign attached to the back of the crane reads “Janet” next to a painting of a large sunflower.

The dilapidated Sir Charles Hotham Hotel building

Photo of the tops of two buildings taken on a bright, sunny day. On the left, and in the foreground, is the round, domed tower of a dilapidated, four storey, 111 year old building. The pale yellow paint on this building is cracked and peeling. This is the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel building. On the right, and in the background, is a more modern building. This building is many storeys taller and has a metal and glass exterior. The building is designed with an exoskeleton on its outside: specifically, tall metal ribs going up and down its length. This is the Melbourne City Apartments building.

[Photo walk] Transport, part 3

Here’s a bunch of transport-related photos I’ve taken over the last few days.

Elevated train along Flinders Street in Melbourne

Photo looking up at a blue-and-silver electric train going along a set of elevated train tracks.

Tram going up Spencer Street in Melbourne

Photo of a green-and-yellow tram travelling on tracks laid down on an inclined road in a city centre. A motorcyclist is also proceeding up this road, to the left of the tram.

Passenger carriages waiting for their locomotive

Photo taken between the horizontal slats of a white fence. Through the slats you can see the Southern Cross Rail Yard, which is next to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. In the centre of the photo are several purple-and-yellow train passenger carriages without an accompanying locomotive. These are parked at a two-sided train platform. A little behind this platform you can see a tall, narrow building, which is called the Yardmasters Building.

Passenger carriages at Southern Cross Rail Yard

Photo taken between the horizontal slats of a white fence. Through the slats you can see the Southern Cross Rail Yard. In the centre of the photo are several purple-and-yellow train passenger carriages without an accompanying locomotive. These are parked at a two-sided train platform.

Platforms 2A and 3A at Southern Cross Station

Photo of two purple-and-yellow V/Line trains parked at platforms 2A and 3A in a large, high-roof train station – which is Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, Australia. The rear and side walls of this station are all-glass, so through them you can see the city centre in which this train station is located.

Waiting for instructions on Platform 2A

Photo of a V/Line train service employee waiting on an empty train platform. The man is wearing a purple high-visibility vest and is holding both a clip board and a handheld radio. A sign above the man tells us we are on platform 2A and that the train to Ararat will depart from here in 31 minutes.

Heading into Southern Cross Station on its way to Flinders Street

Photo looking down at a rail yard that a train is driving through. The front of the train is painted yellow and blue, and the digital sign above the front windscreen reads ‘Flinders Street’.

Metro train waiting to depart

Photo of a blue-and-yellow train taken from outside a suburban train station, with a shrub and wire fence in the foreground. The train has a large ‘METRO’ logo painted on its side.

Travelling past Fawkner Memorial Park

Photo taken from inside a train that is travelling along a large park, which you can see through the large train window. The park has lots of different types of trees in it, and also a road with some street signs. Inside the train are two empty sets of seats, with blue-and-black and orange-and-black seat covers.

Oblong bird graffiti at Southern Cross Station

Photo of a grey, oblong-shaped, cartoonish bird drawn on the wall along the train tracks inside a large train station. In the background a technician stands waist-deep inside the mechanism at the bottom of a set of escalators. A yellow safety fence has been placed around the area where this technician is working.

Waiting for a train at North Melbourne Station

Photo of a wide, red-brick pedestrian overpass built over a pair of train tracks. The photo is taken on a sunny day and the tracks under the overpass are in shade, making this look like a short tunnel.

[Photo walk] Around Southern Cross Station #1

It hit 41 degrees Celsius in Melbourne on Friday. So, to avoid commuting during the evening peak, I went home early. But, before I got on the train, I walked around the Southern Cross Station and took a few photos :)

Under the Flinders Street elevated train lines

Photo of two men with bags slung over their shoulders who have just walked under a wide concrete platform that holds up several elevated train lines.

Stairs vs escalators at Southern Cross Station

Photo of four men walking up a wide set of stairs. Three of the men are wearing high visibility work shirts, and one of these men is looking off camera at something next to the photographer. Behind the staircase is a large, paneled, mustard-yellow coloured wall with curved rectangular windows cut out of it. The photographer is separated from the stairs by a glass partition. Reflected in the glass is a man going down the escalator behind the photographer. This man is looking at the phone he his holding in his hand.

39 degrees Celsius (in the sun)

Photo of two signs on a glass-covered commercial building in the central business district of Melbourne, Australia. One sign shows the AGL company logo. The second is a digital sign that shows the date (17 February) and time (2:07pm) and the current temperature (39 degrees Celsius).

Documenting the 39-degree day while picking up lunch

Photo of three women walking along Southern Cross Bridge in Melbourne, Australia on a bright, sunny day. The women, who are dressed for the weather in light shorts and tops, appear to be carrying take-away food – presumably back to their workplace. One of these women has stopped to take a photo of a digital sign on a nearby building that shows the current temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.

Roller skating across Southern Cross Bridge

Photo of a woman in roller skates skating down a wide bridge on a bright, sunny day. The woman is wearing leggings with safety pads strapped to her knees and her sleeveless shirt tucked into the waistband. She is also wearing gloves, a sports bra, and sunglasses.

Down to platforms 13 and 14

Photo of a set of stairs with a pair of escalators on either side. These all lead down to train platforms 13 and 14 in a large train station. One man is going down the escalator on the left and one woman is coming up the escalator on the right. The woman is looking into her smartphone, which she is holding up to eye level. In the centre of the photo is a man wearing a red/orange sleeveless shirt and blue jeans. He has a pair of wireless headphones on and is waking down the stairs.

Platforms 13 and 14 at Southern Cross Station

Photo taken from the top of a flight of stairs and set of escalators that lead down to train platforms 13 and 14 in a large train station. The extremely high roof of the train station is being held up by several massive pillars that have been wrapped in stainless steel. A man and woman, who are out of focus in the photo, have just stepped onto the escalator that’s taking them down to the platforms. What is in focus are the numbered signs on the platform below that tell you which platform you’re on.

Low battery

I had a good, long sleep last night and I’m feeling refreshed and energised today. For much of last week, though, this is how I was feeling.

Photo of a digital sign on the side of a residential street. Painted on the sign are the words “Your speed” and the sign has a solar panel mounted on top of it. The sign is supposed to tell you what speed you’re driving down that road. But the speed that’s displayed in the digital part of the sign on this grey, overcast day is “Low Bat”.

[Photo walk] Standup paddleboarders at St Kilda Harbour

One cool thing about owning a long lens is that you can take photos of people considerably further away from you. (Without being creepy about it, of course.)

Standup paddleboarders next to St Kilda Pier

Black-and-white photo of two people standing up and rowing on paddleboards in a harbour next to a long boardwalk and a buoy.

New standup paddleboarder is successful in standing up

Photo of a standup paddleboarder out on the water in St Kilda Harbour. The paddleboarder is standing on her board and is giving the shaka (or "hang loose" sign) to her friend off camera. In the background of the photo are several sailboats tied to a jetty. In the far background is the freight area of the harbour, with cranes to lift shipping containers off cargo ships.

Careful standup paddleboarder

Photo of a standup paddleboarder out on the water in St Kilda Harbour. The paddleboarder is concentrating on her paddling. In the background of the photo are several sailboats anchored to the sea floor or tied to a jetty.

Confident standup paddleboarder

Black-and-white of a standup paddleboarder out on the water in St Kilda Harbour. The paddleboarder is confidently rowing around on the water. In the background of the photo is a long pier extending off-camera in both directions.

A moment of calm on St Kilda Harbour Dog Beach

Black-and-white photo of a woman wearing shorts and a light jacket standing calf-deep in the water at a beach. The woman, is wearing a backpack, has her hands in her pockets, and is looking quietly out onto the water.

[Photo walk] St Kilda Harbour Dog Beach

I managed to take a few good photos at St Kilda Harbour Dog Beach after Melbourne Pride March.

Cruise ships at Station Pier and the West Gate Bridge

This was taken with a long zoom lens, and zoom lenses tend to compress things that are further away. That’s why the cruise ships at Station Pier and the West Gate Bridge look much closer to each other than they really are.

Photo of two large cruise ships docked at a pier. In the background, well behind the ships, is a massive, curved multi-lane road bridge.

Curious dog at the beach

Photo of a wet, brown-and-white dog standing toe-deep on a beach, looking out over the water. The dog's right foreleg is raised off the sand.

Keeping an eye on its humans

Photo of a brown-and-white dog standing in knee-high water at a beach, looking at someone off camera.

Let's explore the beach

Photo of a brown-and-white dog walking along the shallow water of a dog beach. Closer to the photographer is a young boy who is also walking along the beach while looking at what's under the water.

No, I don't want to get out of the water

This was my favourite dog on the beach that day. So much energy! And, as seen here, a steadfast refusal to come out of the water when it was time to stop playing and go home — despite the repeated calls of its owner.

Photo of a brown-and-white dog with a thick, chewed-up stick in its mouth standing in the water on a beach. The dog is ignoring the calls of its owner to stop playing fetch and to come out of the water.

Small dog on a big beach

Photo of a brown-and-white dog standing in the water near a sand bank on a dog beach. Two sail boats are anchored on the other side of the sand bank. And far across the beach, behind all this, is a large pier with two massive cruise ships docked to it.

Exploring the rocks on St Kilda Harbour Dog Beach

Photo of a figure in blue jeans, dark green/brown jacket, and a pointy black woolen cap exploring some rocks along a beach. In the background you can see a long pier (St Kilda Pier) extending into the water. Several boats of different sizes are anchored in and around this pier.

Dogs at Melbourne Pride 2023

As promised, here are my best dog photos from Melbourne Pride 2023.

Watching the humans

Photo of a small, fluffy brown-and-white dog with the name ‘Oscar’ written on his harness. The dog is standing in a large, green field with several people around him. He is looking at something off-camera. There are several rainbow-coloured flags and ribbons placed around the field where he is standing.

Handsome dog

Photo of a large, handsome dog wearing a harness, a nose halter, and a rainbow coloured bandana around his neck. The dog is being walked on a leash in a large, green field. There are several people wearing brightly coloured clothes sitting and standing in the field.

Good boy

Photo of a dark tan dog looking off-camera while standing in a large, green field with several people standing around him.

Staring at another dog

Photo of a small grey-and-white dog standing in a large field with several people around her. The dog is wearing a purple bandana with pride flags printed on it. The dog is staring at another dog, who is sitting off camera.

Must pet the dog…

Photo of a small girl and a smaller black dog. The dog is sitting in front of the girl in a large, green field. The girl is holding the leash that is attached to the dog’s walking harness. The girl is reaching forward to scratch the dog’s head.

Successfully petting the dog

Photo of a small girl and a smaller black dog. The dog is sitting in front of the girl in a large, green field. The girl is holding the leash that is attached to the dog’s walking harness. The girl has reached forward and is scratching the dog’s head.

Floofy white cloud

Photo of a puffy, bright white dog on a leash. The dog is standing in a large, green field and is looking at another dog off camera.

Hugging its human

Photo of a woman standing by the side of the road watching the marchers at a pride parade walk by. The woman is carrying a black, curly-haired dog in her lap. The dog is facing away from the marchers and has its chin resting on the woman’s shoulder.

Long tongue dog

Photo of large, fluffy, white dog standing in a large, green field with several brightly dressed people around it. The dog is wearing a rainbow bandana and is looking at something off-camera with its long tongue hanging loosely out of its mouth.

Stretching to play with a nearby dog

Photo of a brown dog in a large green field. The dog is wearing a jacked with rainbows printed on it. The dog is straining against its leash because it wants to pay with another dog off camera.

Pretty dog

Photo of a small, light-brown-and-tan dog standing a large, green field. The dog is wearing a large, pride-themed bandana around its neck and is looking at something off camera.

Waiting for the ball to be thrown

Photo of a small, white-and-brown dog excitedly focused on a scruffy tennis ball on the grass that its human is just about to kick for the dog to fetch.

Melbourne Pride 2023

I took a lot of photos at this year’s Melbourne Pride march. Here are my favourites.

Waiting for the march to start

Photo of a man wearing tennis whites with rainbow coloured accents standing in a large, green field with several hundred people standing around and behind him. The man is holding a large rainbow pride flag on a wooden staff that is taller than he is.

Queueing up to start the march

Photo of a young person marching with a large group of people during a Pride parade. The person is holding up a sign that reads "Let's get one thing straight, I'm not".

Queueing up to march

Photo of two young women, both wearing matching green t-shirts, walking in a wide group of people - several of whom are wearing brightly coloured, pride themed clothes. One of the women is holding a small brown and tan dog in her hand.

Huddled over a phone, bisexually

Photo of three young women huddled around a phone in a large, green field. There are several people standing in a rough queue on the other side of the field. The three women are wearing the pink, purple, and blue colours of the bisexual flag. One of them has a bisexual pride flag draped across her back.

Bored with all the waiting

Photo of a young child lying belly-down, as if bored and defeated, on top of an inflatable pink beach ball in a large, green field.

Hanging loose with search and rescue

Photo of a woman in a search and rescue uniform of bright orange utility pants and black t-shirt. The woman is walking away from the photographer and towards a red search-and-rescue truck that's been decorated with pride flags. The woman has pale green-blue coloured hair and is holding a rainbow coloured strap in her other hand. She is giving the shaka (or "hang loose" sign) to her colleagues off camera.

Capturing the moment

Photo of a young man wearing a red, black, and maroon coloured singlet. The man has rainbow-coloured paint finger-drawn on his arms and face. He is taking a photo of the crowd around him with an interchangeable lens camera that he is holding up to his eye.

Watching the march from above

Photo of a woman and a man, both standing on separate balconies of a five-storey building, and both looking down at what's happening on the street below. The woman is using a pair of binoculars to take a closer look.

Watching the march from her balcony

Photo of an older woman with bright, white hair standing on the balcony of multi-storey residential building. The woman is using a pair of binoculars to look down at what's happening on the street below.

Watching the marchers

Photo of a woman standing by the side of the road watching the marchers at a pride parade walk by. The woman is holding a black, curly-haired dog in her lap. The dog is wearing a rainbow coloured bandana on its neck.

Walking back to his friends

Photo of a boy wearing a bright orange school-branded t-shirt that has lots of marker-drawn signatures on it. The boy is walking parallel to the people marching in the pride parade. Slung over his shoulder is a large pride rainbow flag on a long wooden stick.

Post Pride

Photo of the back of a man wearing a t-shirt that reads "PostPride". The man is watching the rest of his Australia Post colleagues cross the road at the end of the Melbourne pride march.

Flying with pride

Photo of several people wearing bright, Jetstar-orange t-shirts. These people have rainbow flags and bright coloured flowers draped around them. Two of the people are wearing large, mascot-sized foam airplanes with Jetstar logos on them.

(FYI. I used to work for Jetstar and was part of the first ever Jetstar contingent to officially march at Pride in Melbourne. #FlyingWithPride)

Tomorrow I’ll upload all the dog photos I took at pride, so stay tuned for that :)

[Photo walk] Transport, part 2

I was in the city today, so I practiced taking photos of people.

And I do need the practice. I’m still getting the hang of using my new camera in a fast-paced environment.

Given three seconds, I can compose a pretty decent photo — like the ones below. But I need practice with composing and shooting a photo in just one or two seconds.

And that’s why I practice every chance I get :)

Anticipating a near-future request for customer service

Black and white photo of three people standing at a tram stop. Two of the people are customer service officers wearing high visibility vests with the words ‘customer service’ written on them. The third person is a woman looking up at a sign. One of the officers is observing this woman, as if a request for customer service from her will be forthcoming.

Customer service at Flinders Street Station

Black and white photo of a man standing at a window with a customer service sign above it. He is being helped by a customer service officer on the other side of the window. A poster on the wall next to the man reads ‘Please hold the handrail when using escalators’.

People-watching on the steps of Flinders Street Station

Black and white photo of three people sitting (and, in one case, leaning) on the stairs leading into a train station. All of them are looking off-camera to the left.

[Photo walk] Transport, part 1

Some more photos from my walk around the Melbourne CBD today.

Bicycle hoops in Docklands

It was a public holiday yesterday (Thursday), so many people took today (Friday) off so they could get an extra-long weekend. Which helps explain why there were only two bikes locked to these bicycle hoops on Collins Street in Docklands this afternoon :)

Low-angle photo of a row of on-street bicycle hoops (where you can lock your bikes), almost all of which are empty at this time.

Low-angle, black-and-white photo of a row of on-street bicycle hoops (where you can lock your bikes). Almost all of the hoops are empty at this time, except for the last two.

Waiting for a tram on Elizabeth Street

Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit leaning against the safety railing of a tram stop. The man is looking down at this smartphone, which he is holding in his hand, and he has wireless earbuds in his ears.

[Photo walk] Melbourne buildings, part 1

Now that I’ve got myself a quality interchangeable lens camera, I’m looking for any excuse to walk around somewhere I can take interesting photos.

So one thing I’ve started to do is walk through the Melbourne central business district every Friday afternoon after work.

Here are some photos of buildings that I took today. I expect I’ll be taking many more building photos in the future, hence the ‘part 1’ in this post’s title :)

Reflections of the city (Docklands, Melbourne)

Photo taken from a higher vantage point of streets, cars, and buildings reflected off the side of a tall, shiny building on a bright sunny day.

Telco base stations at Media House in Melbourne

Photo of three mobile service base stations (that is, antennae) mounted at the top of a white, modernistic building.

Sun shining off Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne

Photo looking up from the ground of a very tall, blue-glass covered building. The building has rounded edges and two large curves along its length, making it look somewhat like a fancy water bottle. Next to this building, and much shorter in height, is a colonial-beige coloured building inspired by Art Deco archicture.

A slice of the Supreme Court of Victoria

Photo looking down the length of a narrow alleyway. At the end of the alleyway is a large, domed building in the classical Renaissance Revival style of architecture from the 1880s.