Buildings and statues

I had to run an errand in the city so I took some photos on the way back.

Chimera outside the ‘Gothic Bank’ building on Collins Street

Photo of a chimera sitting on a pedestal fixed to a wide column that’s part of a building with a gothic facade. A chimera is a fantastical or mythical figure depicting a combination of multiple animals carved from stone and fixed to the walls or roof of a building. This one is a lion with wings that is holding a shield.

Prince Alfred’s Tower at the Melbourne Town Hall on a bright, sunny day

Photo looking up at a tall clock tower that is flying the Australian flag. The photo is partly washed-out because of the bright sun that’s just out of frame.

Pigeon on the Captain Matthew Flinders Statue on Swanston Street

Photo of a tall bronze statue mounted on a large granite slab located outside a cathedral. The statue depicts Matthew Flinders in his Commander’s uniform, standing on the prow of a boat, braced against the wind, brought ashore by two seamen. A pigeon is standing on the statue’s head.

AUS v PAK ODI at Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Pakistan men’s cricket team is touring Australia so I went to watch the first one-day international (ODI) match of this series at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Naturally, I took some photos while I was there :)

Skycam at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Photo of a cable-suspended camera system above a large cricket stadium.

Behind the scenes at a cricket match

Photo showing Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc talking to one of his support team members at the boundary of a cricket stadium. Behind them in the photo are the water station and medical station. To their right is the kit station. In the foreground of the photo is a television camera operator.

Melbourne Cricket Club logo next to the MCC stand

Photo showing the stylised “MCC” logo of the Melbourne Cricket Club on a metal railing separating two stands at a stadium.

Pakistan cricket team supporters

Photo showing a crowd of spectators in the stands of a large cricket stadium. Several spectators are dressed in green team colours and uniforms, and several are waving large Pakistan flags.

Lights coming on for the day-night one-day match

Photo showing a tall light-tower behind the stands and massive LCD screen of a large stadium. The sun in starting to set behind the stadium so the lights have now been turned on.

[Photo walk] Collins Street, Melbourne #4

It’s been almost ten months since I last walked down Collins Street to take some photos!

Blue-on-blue of the sky and the building at 567 Collins Street

Photo looking up along a tall office tower with reflective, blue-tinted windows that are reflecting a clear, light blue sky. The photo is taken from under some trees, so the green canopy of these trees frame this scene.

Framing a scene through the ‘567’ forecourt sculpture

Photo taken through the stainless steel bars of a 14 metre tall piece of artwork at the front of an office building. The photo shows a woman in a long dress sitting in a public bench while looking at the phone in her hands.

Layers of tyres at the motorcycle parking on Collins Street

Photo taken through the spokes of a rear motorcycle tyre that has a sporty, bright orange rim. Through these spokes you can see another rear motorcycle tyre behind this one, through which you can see yet another tyre behind that.

Motorcycle parking on Collins Street

Photo of several shiny sports bikes parked at an angle along a street that runs through the central business district of a metropolitan Australian city.

Bikes parked in a line along Collins Street

Photo taken from a low angle of several shiny motorbikes parked at an angle along a street that runs through the central business district of a metropolitan Australian city. There are cars driving down one side the street and two trams running down tracks in the centre of the street.

Flower Boutique on the corner of Collins and Williams Street

Photo of a footpath flower shop with several bouquets of flowers arranged along the front of the shop.

Photos from my desk

I was checking something on my camera while at my desk when I saw a couple of photo opportunities.

Afternoon scene from a window

Photo looking through a window from inside the house. The scene through the window shows the roof of a neighbouring house, the tops of some trees, and some power lines.

Maggie is snuggled up in her bed in the corner of the room

Photo of a red/brown dog sleeping in a round fuzzy bed with her face pressed up against the side of the bed.

[Photo walk] Along the Yarra River #3

I think I’m finally back in the rhythm of walking through the city on Friday afternoons after work to take photos.

Blue Tongue bike rental next to Batman Park

Photo of several blue push bikes parked outside a yellow, single-storey building with a sign that reads, “blue tongue bikes”.

Old Melbourne Aquarium sign along the Yarra River

Photo of a large, blue neon sign in the shape of two stylised fish. The sign is mounted on two tall, white poles next to a large building.

GOBOAT renters arriving back at the dock on the Yarra River

Photo taken through a railing of four people in a small motorboat approaching a dock alongside an urban river. In the background a low, flat, tour boat passes under a bridge that spans an urban river.

Motorboating along the Yarra River

Photo taken through a railing of a figure wearing shorts, a hoodie, and thick puffer jacket sitting along in a motorboat that is crossing under a bridge that spans an urban river.

Eureka Tower as seen through the Sandridge Bridge across the Yarra River

Photo of a tall office and residential tower seen through the steel girders of a pedestrian bridge.

What’s on tap at AFLOAT, along the Yarra River

Photo of two windows set into a covered outdoor bar area. Visible through one window are several beer taps, while through the other window you can see wine bottles and other bar paraphernalia. In the background, looking through the windows, you can see a few tradies in orange and yellow high-visibility clothing sitting on outdoor furniture arrange around this bar.

Glasses and taps at AFLOAT, along the Yarra River

Photo of two windows set into a covered outdoor bar area. Visible through one window are several beer taps, while through the other window you can see spirit bottles and several rows of drink glasses. In the background, looking through the windows, you can see several patrons sitting on outdoor furniture arrange around this bar.

Traffic on the Yarra River outside Southgate shopping centre

Photo of a river running through the middle of a metropolitan city. In the background are several tall buildings and a pedestrian bridge that spans the river. On the river are a few boats moored along the banks, while one tour boat is making a U-turn in the middle of the river.

Sweep rowing training on the Yarra River

Photo four sweep rowers (in which each person holds only one oar with both hands) and their coxswain (who steers the boat) training on an urban river. They team has just passed under a stone bridge that spans the river. Their trainer is travelling behind them in a rowboat and is giving them instructions via megaphone.

Sweep rowers on the Yarra River

Photo of two sets of sweep rowers (in which each person holds only one oar with both hands) and their coxswain (who steers the boat) training on an urban river. Their training is following behind them in a small motorboat. In the background, and on the opposite side of the river from the photographer, are several large buildings. A few boats, include two tour boats, are moored alongside the far bank of the river.

[Photo walk] University of Melbourne #3

I took a few photos at Melbourne Uni when I was there for an evening event.

Study nook at Arts West

Photo taken from a higher floor looking down at a corner space in a large building. There is a grey, square study table with an electrical power board in its centre. Blue, plastic chairs have been placed around this table.

Research lounge in Arts West

Photo of an armchair, coffee table, and reading lamp surrounded by fully stocked bookshelves in a cozy library space.

Study table in Arts West breakout space

Photo looking straight down at a long study table installed along one wall. The table has an orange, padded bench running along one long end and an office chair placed on the other side. The table has a large, orange lamp clamped to one end. A television screen and another orange lamp are mounted on the wall at the other side of the table.

Thursday night at the Baillieu Library

Photo taken from the outside of a large, four-storey university library with floor-to-ceiling windows. The inside of the library is brightly lit, while the area outside is relatively dark.

[Photo walk] Seafarers Bridge

I had some time before an all-day work offsite along South Wharf, so I took some photos around Seafarers Bridge.

It was a clear, bright, winter morning and the sky was so blue that some of the photos almost look fake!

Bright winter morning in Melbourne

Photo of several tall buildings with an urban river in the foreground. There is also a Ferris wheel on the other side of the river.

The Polly Woodside as seen from the Seafarers Bridge

Photo of a historic, iron-hulled, three-masted ship (called a barque) permanently berthed on an urban river.

The structure of the Seafarers Bridge almost looks fake against the bright blue sky!

Photo looking up at the white-painted steel arches and support cables that are holding up a bridge. The arches are streaked with dirt from the rain and wind. The photo almost looks fake because of the bright blue sky in the background.

Looking up at the arch-shaped structure and steel cables of the Seafarers Bridge

Photo looking up at the white-painted steel arches and support cables that are holding up a bridge. The arches are streaked with dirt from the rain and wind. The photo almost looks fake because of the bright blue sky in the background.

Traffic safety mirror along South Wharf Promenade on the Yarra River

Photo of a large, convex, traffic safety mirror installed on a pole in a blind curve along a cycling and walking path next to an urban river. The photographer has captured his own distorted reflection in this mirror.

Photographer in a convex traffic safety mirror

Close-up photo of a large, convex, traffic safety mirror installed on a pole in a blind curve along a cycling and walking path next to an urban river. The photographer has captured his own distorted reflection in this mirror.

Seafarers Bridge spanning the Yarra River

Photo taken on a bright, sunny morning of a concrete, steel, and glass pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning an urban river. This suspension bridge is held up by asymmetrical arches supported by steel cables - all of which are painted white. The bridge deck is made of steel and concrete, and has clear glass balustrades running along its length. A few people are crossing the bridge. There are several tall buildings on the other side of the river from the photographer.

[Photo walk] Webb Bridge and surrounds

This is the third of three photo sets from my walk between South Melbourne and Docklands.

Scooting onto the Webb Bridge

Photo of a man in blue leather boots, light khaki pants, navy blue jacket, and black helmet riding a stand-up electric scooter. The scooter has a carrier in which there is a small dog that is also wearing a navy blue jacket. The man is about to ride the scooter up the incline of a pedestrian and cycle bridge that crosses and urban river.

Corner seat at Hooks At The Yarra

Photo of the corner of a building with floor-to-ceiling windows. This floor of the building is a restaurant with several tables and chairs, all of which are currently unoccupied.

A little litter goes a long way

Close-up photo of a Bandalong litter trap installed on the banks of an urban river. This trap has collected a large amount of litter floating down this river. A sign affixed to this trap reads, “A little litter goes a long way. Keep the Yarra River clean. Bin your litter.”

Almost ready to press record

Photo of two people, a man and a woman, standing on the cemented banks of an urban river. The man is a camera operator and is manipulating a DSLR camera attached to a sturdy tripod. The woman, who is about to be filmed, is looking down as she composes herself for the recording take. The two are standing near the intersection of two cycle paths. In the foreground of the photo is a series of small directional signs mounted on a pole. These point to the three directions that cyclists can go in.

Crossing the Webb Bridge to Docklands

Photo of several people and cyclists crossing a bridge that spans an urban river. The bridge looks like a grey metal pipe that has been cut in half lengthwise.

Cleaning our rivers

Close-up photo of a Bandalong litter trap installed on the banks of an urban river. This trap has collected a large amount of litter floating down this river. A sign affixed to this trap reads, “Cleaning our rivers”

Heading up the Webb Bridge from Docklands

Photo taken along the length of a pedestrian and cycle bridge that spans an urban river. The bridge has several rings going around it at regularly spaced intervals.

Fishing along the Yarra River

Photograph of three people fishing along the banks of an urban river. On the other side of the river there are several large and small boats tied to their berths.

The Webb Bridge on the Yarra River

Photo of people walking along a curved bridge that spans a river in the middle of a metropolitan city. This bridge, the Webb Bridge, is modelled after a Koorie fishing trap used to catch eels. It is curved on one end, and this curved portion is covered (like a tube) by an organic, irregular net design made out of metal beams.

Cycling down the Webb Bridge

Photo of a cyclist heading down a curved bridge that spans a river in the middle of a metropolitan city. This bridge, the Webb Bridge, is modelled after a Koorie fishing trap used to catch eels. It is curved on one end, and this curved portion is covered (like a tube) by an organic, irregular net design made out of metal beams.

[Photo walk] South Melbourne, Docklands infrastructure and cars

This is the second of three photo sets from my walk between South Melbourne and Docklands.

Looking through to Yarra’s Edge buildings with a zoom lens

Black-and-white photo of two tall, residential buildings as seen through a gap in the bare concrete underneath of a series of elevated roadways and off-ramps.

Queueing for the Power Street exit on CityLink

Photo taken from between two elevated roadways of a large, overhead LED sign that shows icons of cars queueing. There is text on the sign that is cut-off by one of the elevated roadways, however you can make out the words ‘queueing’ and ‘power’.

Caution: queueing for the Power Street exit on CityLink

Photo taken from between two elevated roadways of a large, overhead LED sign that reads, in all capital letters, “Caution: Queueing traffic at Power St exit”.

Happy graffiti on the Charles Grimes Bridge Road off-ramp

Photo of a bright white graffiti spray painted onto perforated, black coloured metal sheets that line the underside of a road. The graffiti is a of a classic smiley face.

You can see a lot with a big zoom lens (this is a 31 storey tall building)

Zoomed-in photo of the very top of a 31 storey building with the green Linkt logo affixed to one side.

Portal across the West Gate Freeway

Black and white photo taken from ground level of several elevated roadways. A large concrete archway structure has been constructed around one of these elevated roadways. This otherwise-rectangular structure (called a portal) has been built with a slight rotation, so it looks like it is twisting clockwise.

Cars for sale at City Mazda

Photo taken along the back of several Mazda cars parked in a line at an outdoor car sales lot.

[Photo walk] Bolte Bridge

I repeated my earlier ‘South Melbourne and Docklands’ photo walk a week later because my car needed some additional repair. This time, however, I took my long lens with me and got a bunch of interesting photos along the way.

These are the photos I took of the Bolte Bridge, and there are two more photo sets to come.

Morning traffic across the Bolte Bridge

Photo taken along the length of an urban river that shows two bridges crossing this river. In the foreground is the Webb Bridge, a curved cyclist and pedestrian bridge. In the background is the Bolte Bridge, a large road bridge. The Bolte (as it is known) is a large, twin cantilever road bridge with two 140m tall towers that hold up the roadway that spans the width of the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

Busy morning on the Bolte Bridge

Photo taken along the length of an urban river of a large road bridge and the shipping dock in the background. There is bumper-to-bumper road traffic on the bridge and behind the bridge a large container ship is docked at one of the berths. The bridge is a large, twin cantilever road bridge with two 140m tall towers that hold up the roadway that spans the width of the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

Bolte Bridge just before sunset

Photo taken just before sunset along the length of an urban river that opens up into a sea port. There are tall buildings on both banks of the river and crossing the river is a large road bridge with two tall towers at the centre. There are several shipping berths along the length of the river.

Bolte Bridge stretches across the Yarra River at sunset

Photo taken at sunset along the length of an urban river that opens up into a sea port. There are tall buildings on both banks of the river and crossing the river is a large road bridge with two tall towers at the centre. There are several shipping berths along the length of the river.

Bolte Bridge silhouette at sunset

Photo taken at sunset along the length of an urban river that opens up into a sea port. Crossing this river is a large road bridge with two tall towers at the centre.

Food motivated

What can I say? Maggie loves to eat!

VERY interested in a dog food delivery we spotted on our walk

Photo of a red/brown dog on a red leash outside a black residential fence. The dog is excitedly sniffing two Lyka brand dog food cartons that a deliver driver has left outside the fence.

Riveted by Nadia chopping beef on the kitchen counter

Photo of a red/brown dog standing in a dining room with wooden floor tiles. In the background of the photo are they dog’s food and water bowls. The dog is looking up, very attentively, at someone off camera.

[Photo walk] South Melbourne and Docklands - follow-up

I haven’t focused much on black-and-white photography.

The only times I think in black-and-white (especially when taking photos) are when:

  • I want to capture a texture that lends itself to a monochromatic look,

  • I find myself in a scene in which the colours are a distraction, or

  • I’m at a location where there’s strong light-and-dark contrast.

Three of my recent photos fit the bill, so I converted them to black-and-white to see how they would look.

West Gate Freeway drainage overflow pipes

Black-and-white photo taken from underneath an elevated roadway out of which two wide draining pipes are emerging.

Looking through to Yarra’s Edge buildings

Black-and-white photo of two tall, residential buildings as seen through a gap in the bare concrete underneath of a series of elevated roadways and off-ramps.

West Gate Bridge sign under the West Gate Bridge Freeway

Black-and-white photo of the back of a large overhead road sign affixed to an elevated motorway. The sign is seen through a gap in the bare concrete underneath of a series of elevated roadways and off-ramps.

I think they turned out pretty well :)

Here’s a side-by-side comparison. I actually think I prefer the black-and-white versions of all three! Though maybe the middle one (the buildings through the gap in the concrete) works both ways.

[Photo walk] South Melbourne and Docklands

I get my car serviced at a dealership in South Melbourne that’s a short walk across the Yarra River from where my office is in Docklands.

Naturally, I take a bunch of photos every time I take this walk – usually super early in the morning and then just returning before sunset (in winter).

Here are the most recent photos I took.

Early morning coffee in the shadow of Charles Grimes Bridge

Photo of a woman stepping out from around the corner of a building with floor-to-ceiling windows. The second storey of the building is bathed in warm sunlight from the rising sun, while the lower section is in cool blue shadow. The woman is wearing a long, grey overcoat and is carrying a disposable coffee cup in her hand.

Early morning traffic and tram

Photo of an intersection with a line of cars going through and several cars waiting. In the foreground of the photo is a green-and-yellow tram running on a set of tracks parallel to one of the roads. The photo is slightly washed out because of the bright glare of the early morning sun coming off a reflective office building.

Waving to the tram driver

Photo of a green-and-yellow tram driving through an area with several trees and bushes that is otherwise surrounded by tall office buildings. The tram driver is waving his hand at the photographer.

If it’s on the street, it ends up in the river

Photo of a Bandalong litter trap installed to one side of an urban river. This trap has collected a large amount of litter floating down this river. A sign affixed to this trap reads “It it’s on the street, it ends up in the river. Keep the Yarra River clean. Bin your litter.” In the middleground of the photo a wide footbridge (the Webb Bridge) spans this river (the Yarra River). In the background of the photo, on the other side of the river, are several tall residential buildings.

Sunset seating outside Hooks at the Yarra

Photo of outdoor cafe tables and chairs arranged next to a grid of very tall trees that are set into raised beds in an otherwise paved area. The tables are unoccupied and the whole place is lit with warm sunlight coming from the setting sun.

West Gate Freeway drainage overflow pipes

Photo taken from underneath an elevated roadway out of which two wide draining pipes are emerging.

Jaunty portal, serious hotel #2

Photo taken from ground level of a large concrete archway structure constructed around an elevated roadway. This otherwise-rectangular archway structure has been built with a slight rotation, so it looks like it is twisting anticlockwise. Behind the portal is the tall, thin building of the Novotel Melbourne South Wharf hotel. There is traffic stopped at a red light below the elevated roadway.

Layers of traffic where the West Gate Freeway meets Montague Street

Photo of an intersection above which there are two elevated roadways of different heights. A sight at ground level reads, “West Gate Br / Geelong”. A bright yellow DHL delivery truck is crossing the intersection at ground level while a refrigerated truck drives along the middle roadway.

Looking through to Yarra’s Edge buildings

Photo of two tall, residential buildings as seen through a gap in the bare concrete underneath of a series of elevated roadways and off-ramps.

West Gate Bridge sign under the West Gate Bridge Freeway

Photo of the back of a large overhead road sign affixed to an elevated motorway. The sign is seen through a gap in the bare concrete underneath of a series of elevated roadways and off-ramps.

This year I had only my 27mm TTArtisan prime lens with me (42mm full-frame equivalent) and the photos turned out really well. Though, to be fair, the gorgeous golden-hour light – both ways! – had a lot to do with that.

Last year I took photos with my 18-55mm Fujifilm zoom lens and it was a dreary, overcast day. Those photos look little different :)

[Photo walk] University of Melbourne #2

I’m on leave this week so I picked Nadia up from her office at the University of Melbourne. While I was there, I took a couple of photos.

End of the day at Dr Dax Kitchen

Photo taken from the outside of a nearly-empty cafe. A barista is making coffee behind the counter and there are two people sitting at the only occupied table.

Nadia on Royal Parade

Photo of a smiling woman walking towards the photographer. The woman is wearing loose pants with pink and yellow butterfly designs on it, a red top, and a gold necklace with a sunflower pendant.

Positive potato

Photo of several items on a shelf in a large wooden bookcase. The items are an intersectional pride flag set in transparent resin, a large blue-and-yellow mug, a crochet potato, a Newton’s cradle, and several books. The crochet potato has an eyes and a mouth, and it is holding up a sign that reads: “Positive potato. I might be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing!”

Back of the Howard Florey Institute building

Photo of the back of a large university building with floor-to-ceiling windows through which you can see a series of walkways, balconies, and office doors.

[Photo walk] Lygon Street #4

First I was unwell and then I was super busy at work, so it’s been over three months since my last photo walk. It’s good to be back.

Today’s walk was a quick one down Lygon Street in Carlton. It was lovely, sunny Saturday afternoon and it’s nice to be heading towards the end of winter in Melbourne.

All these photos were taken with my (relatively) new TTArtisan 27mm pancake lens (42mm full-frame equivalent).

Performance space at Argyle Square, Carlton

Black-and-white photo taken from behind and to the side of a large, high-ceiling, covered outdoor stage in a large public park.

Brand new ‘Sapphire by the Gardens’ building complex

Photo of two tall buildings framed by bushes and trees in the foreground. The two luxury towers are connected by a large, multi-storey skybridge. https://sapphirebythegardens.com.au/

The brand new ‘Sapphire by the Gardens’ building complex – as seen from Lygon Street

Photo of two tall buildings framed by bushes and trees in the foreground. The two luxury towers are connected by a large, multi-storey sky bridge. https://sapphirebythegardens.com.au/

Beaded friendship bracelets in a car

Photo of two brightly-coloured beaded friendship bracelets (or maybe necklaces?) hanging behind the rearview mirror of a parked car.

Bicycle loops on Lygon Street

Black-and-white photo taken from ground level looking up at several metal bicycle-parking loops installed on a sidewalk. One bicycle has been locked to the loop farthest from the photographer.

Post-lunch service emptiness

Photo of the covered outdoor seating areas of several restaurants along a road. All the tables in the photo are currently unoccupied.

Gluten free pasta and pizza on Lygon Street

Photo of a sandwich board on a sidewalk with text written in blue and pink chalk on a black background. The list on items on the chalkboard reads lamb shanks, tomahawk steaks, Atlantic salmon, arancini balls, barramundi, and gluten free pasta + pizza.

Photographer reflections

Photo of a closed glass door set in a bluestone alcove. The glass is very reflective on this sunny day. In the reflection you can see a commercial street with cars parked on it. The main subject of the reflection is a man wearing white sneakers, black jeans, a bright orange jacket, and a dark driver's cap. The man is holding up a camera at chin height and is taking a photo of his own reflection in the glass door.

It's pronounced ah-sigh-eeh

Photo of the entrance of The Acai Company. Text in a speech bubble below the company logo reads “pronounced ah-sigh-eeh, not ay-chay!!!”.

Pizza oven on Lygon Street

Photo of a large, currently-empty, wood fired pizza over through the window of a pizzeria.

[Photo walk] Around Southern Cross Station #2

I left work a little after lunchtime and took a quick walk around Southern Cross railway station to take a few photos.

I’m starting to get the hang of my new, budget TTArtisan 27mm pancake lens (42mm full-frame equivalent) and I’m enjoying seeing its colour rendering in various lighting scenarios. Some of its colours are halfway to Classic Chrome, for example.

I’m also enjoying taking photos with a prime lens instead of my usual Fujifilm 18-55mm zoom lens.

Looking down Collins Street, Docklands

Photo looking down the street in the central business district of a metropolitan city on a clear afternoon. There are tall buildings on both sides of the street and two pairs of tram tracks runs down the middle. There are no trams on these tracks right now and so a man is jaywalking across them.

Waiting for his bus outside Southern Cross Railway Station

Photo of a man wearing jeans and a hoodie leaning against a wide pole next to the curb of a city street on a sunny afternoon. Behind the man is his luggage, which is a large carpet bag / roller suitcase hybrid, with its handle extended.

Furiosa marketing campaign in full swing at Southern Cross Station

Photo of one of the main entrances to a large, urban train station. There are three escalators and a very wide set of stairs taking travellers to the upper levels. The sides of each step is painted with a slice of the main Furiosa movie poster, so that when you look at it head-on, you can see the whole poster. Hanging down from the station’s high ceiling are several, extremely long Furiosa banners, each featuring either the main protagonist or the main antagonist.

Looking up at 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.

Bourke Street entrance to Southern Cross Station

Photo of an extremely wide staircase at the entrance of an urban train station. The staircase has several banisters running along the steps so people can ascend or descend safely. On the left side of the photo is a large way finding sign with headings for Metropolitan Trains, Regional Trains, and Coach Terminal.

Walking up the stairs at Southern Cross Station

Photo of an extremely wide staircase at the entrance of an urban train station. The staircase has several banisters running along the steps so people can ascend or descend safely. A woman wearing black pants and a dark mango coloured jacket is walking up the stairs.

Train tracks heading into Southern Cross Station - moody version

Photo of four train tracks and three train platforms in an urban, outdoor train station. The photo has been taken through a clear plexiglass safety barrier that used to have an opaque covering, parts of which have since been peeled off. The photo is desaturated and moody.

Train tracks heading into Southern Cross Station - negative version

Photo of four train tracks and three train platforms in an urban, outdoor train station. The photo has been taken through a clear plexiglass safety barrier that used to have an opaque covering, parts of which have since been peeled off. The photo is high-contrast, with the bright, beige, half-removed covering in the foreground standing out sharply against the tracks and platform, which are darker shaded.

Scratched-off opaque shading on a plexiglass barrier

Photo of a tall plexiglass safety barrier that has been erected along the side of a bridge that spans a dozen train tracks. Some panels of plexiglass have advertising on them. The one in focus has a plain, beige covering that provides shade from sun. About a third of this opaque covering has been scratched off so people are able to look through the plexiglass at the trains running underneath.

Cranbourne train heading into Southern Cross Station

Photo taken from a bridge, looking down at the front of a modern, blue, silver, and yellow train running along its track. A digital sign above front windscreen reads ‘Cranbourne’.

Flinders Street train heading into Southern Cross Station

Photo taken from a bridge, looking down at the front of a blue, silver, and yellow train running along its track. The photo has been taken through the holes of a perforated metal sound-and-safety barrier erected along the side of the bridge that the photographer is standing on.

107M heading into Southern Cross Station

Photo taken from a bridge, looking down at the front of a blue, silver, and yellow train running along its track. The lead carriage is numbered 107M. The photo has been taken through the holes of a perforated metal sound-and-safety barrier erected along the side of the bridge that the photographer is standing on.

Old desktop wallpapers

I was going through my old files recently when I came across the first computer desktop wallpaper I made with my own photos.

This collage features Rufus, our Labrador retriever, and I took these photos in 2006.

When I took the first photo I’d called down to Rufus but he hadn’t yet figured out where I was calling from. The second photo shows him figuring it out. And the third photo is his reaction upon seeing me.

Collage of three vertically-sliced photos, each taken moments apart, of a yellow Labrador retriever dog sitting on a patch of dirt and looking up at the photographer. In the first photo the dog looks puzzled as it tries to figure out where the photographer is calling him from. In the middle photo he looks up and sees the photographer. In the third photo his tail starts wagging and he is happy to see the photographer.

The collage above is a 1024×768 pixel image, so you can tell how long ago I made it!

The only other photos of mine of I’ve used as wallpapers are these ones from a trip to Alice Springs, Uluru, and Kata Tjuta in 2010.

Photo of Kata Tjuta, a group of domed rock formations in a desert that has red sand and patchy green flora (shrubs and trees) that gets denser the closer you get to the rocks.

These photos are 1920×1080 pixels in size, so you can tell I’d upgraded my monitor in the intervening years :)

Photo looking down at several footprints in red/brown desert sand.

I do love a good computer wallpaper, and I’ve collected dozens, if not hundreds, of excellent images over the years.

I’ve never used any of my other photos as wallpapers though. There’s no need to, when there are so many other excellent options out there – some of which I’ve been very happy to for, like the ones from Vlad Studio.

The monitor I’m working on now is an ultrawide 3840×1600 pixels, by the way, and this is my current wallpaper.

Close-up photo of hundreds of rounded pebbles in many dark shades of black and red.

[Photo walk] Around Flinders Street Station

I got the chance to take a couple of photos around Flinders Street Station this morning. And because I’m still considering buying a pancake lens, I restricted myself to shooting at only the 40mm focal length (which is 27mm on my APSC camera).

Haircut and free whisky from $40

Photo of a chalkboard sign outside a barber shop that reads (in pink and green chalk), “Haircut + free whisky from $40” above the ‘hair guys aus’ Instagram handle and the text “Walk ins welcome”.

Next Yarra River cruise is at 12:15pm

Photo of a small whiteboard on a small counter that's been placed outside an exterior door. Written on the whiteboard in red and black marker is, “Next cruise 12:15. 1 hour cruise sightseeing”. A tall blackboard attached to the wall behind this reads, ‘Yarra River Cruises’, lists cruise times for the day, and also reads, “Bar on board, free coffee/tea, free Wi-Fi, live commentary, and luxury seating”.

Photographer getting her clients ready for their newlyweds photoshoot

Photo of a photographer laughing as she talks to a newlywed couple who are standing on the steps of a train station in the middle of the city. The photographer is posing them before she photographs them.

[Photo walk] Along the Yarra River #2

On this week’s photo walk I decided to use only my long lens (50-230mm APSC, which is 77-352mm full-frame). This let me really zoom-in and isolate my subjects in the frame, which can be challenging, but is fun to do.

Parks VIC boat and runabout on the Yarra River

Photo of a green-and-cream, flat-bottom boat towing a runabout next to it as it makes its way down an urban river. The boat is about to pass underneath an eight-lane road bridge.

Bicycle hoops in Docklands, Melbourne

Black-and-white photo of maybe twenty metal bicycle hoops installed in a covered area outside an office building. There is one bicycle locked to a hoop about two-thirds of the way down.

Collins, Bourke, and La Trobe Street crossings over Wurundjeri Way and Southern Cross train lines

Photo that shows three vehicle and pedestrian bridges across a road and several train lines.

I don’t do drama, I do nails

Photo of an advertising chalkboard placed outside a nail salon that reads, in bright, stylised, chalk colours, “I don’t do drama, I do nails”.

Frankston train crossing the Melbourne Aquarium building

Close-up photo of a yellow-and-blue train train travelling down an elevated train line next to a blue building.

Let them out!!!

Photo of a sign on a building that reads, “Melbourne SEALIFE Aquarium” below which someone has graffitied, in all capital letters, “let them out!!!”.

Guiding boat renters back to the dock

Photo of a woman standing at the end of a short dock on an urban river. The woman is talking to some people on a boat that’s just off-camera.

Getting new boat renters on their way

Photo of a man standing at the end of a short dock on an urban river. The man is talking to some people on a boat that’s just off-camera. In the foreground are four people sitting on a small boat that has a large table build into the middle of it. This and several other identical rental boat are docked along the river.

Go-Boat ‘GOBO’ docked along the Yarra River

Photo of a motorboat docked on its own alongside a short dock on an urban river.

Checking her phone while heading slowly down the Yarra River

Photo of a woman piloting a motorboat down the middle of an urban river. The woman is looking down at the phone she is holding in her hand.

Killing time while waiting for friends

Photo of a man sitting in a river-viewing area next to some trees. The man is looking down at the phone in his hands.

Chatting on the Evan Walker Bridge across the Yarra River

Photo of a man and woman standing on a pedestrian bridge across an urban river, chatting with each other. The man is leaning back onto the railing. Another man, wearing earphones and looking at his phone, is walking along the bridge near them.

Sweep rowing training on the Yarra River

Close-up photo of two sets of sweep rowers (in which each person holds only one oar with both hands) from the Australian national team rowing along an urban river.

Sweep rowers on the Yarra River

Photo of two sets of sweep rowers (in which each person holds only one oar with both hands) from the Australian national team rowing along an urban river. In the background, and parked along the farther bank, is a low, flat, blue-and-white, river cruise boat with a ‘Melbourne River Cruises’ sign painted on it.

Guiding the sweep rowers on the Yarra River

Photo of a motorboat with three rowing coaches/trainers making their way along an urban river.

Piloting the Yarra Duchess along the Yarra River in Melbourne

Photo of a man piloting a blue-and-white coloured, flat-bottomed, river cruise boat along an urban river.

Barista at AFLOAT pouring a beer from the tap

Photo of a barista at AFLOAT, a floating bar and restaurant on the Yarra River in Melbourne, pouring a beer while chatting to one of the servers.

Don't forget life.

Photo of a postcard-sized, zine-like, printed poem stuck with tape to the pillar of a green-coloured outdoor stairway. The poem reads, “Life is frantic chaos. But there are still roses for you to stop and smell. Don’t forget life”. It is signed @jaidynpoetry.

Family cats

Growing up in Lahore in the 1970s and 80s we had both cats and dogs as pets – with dogs in the front yard and cats (all of them adopted strays) in the back yard.

These days Nadia and I are the only siblings with a dog while most everyone else has cats. Nadia and I would love to get a cat as well, it’s just that Nadia is allergic to them.

On our recent trip back home I got the chance to spend some time with some of our family cats and, of course, take lots of photos of them :)

Toffee

My younger sister’s orange tabby cat. Very friendly. Loves to sleep on the corner table in the living room.

Toffee portrait

Photo of an orange tabby cat standing at the edge of a balcony, looking down the lens of the photographer's camera.

Toffee is not impressed with my photography

Photo of an orange tabby cat standing at the edge of a balcony, looking at the photographer behind the camera.

Henry

My younger sister’s white cat with blue/yellow odd coloured eyes. Not very friendly, but very happy for you to open the door to let him in and out of the room.

Henry eating his kibble

Photo of a white cat eating kibble out a bowl that's lying on a counter.

Henry interrupted

Photo of a white cat interrupted by the photographer while eating it was eating its kibble out a bowl that's lying on a counter. The cat has one blue and one yellow eye.

Henry at rest

Photo of a white cat with blue/yellow odd coloured eyes stretched out on a window seat in the sun.

Uloo

My older sister’s orange, black, and white calico cat. Very friendly, curious, and quite demanding when she wants pats and scratches.

Uloo is very interested in something off camera

Close-up photo of an orange, black, and white calico cat looking at something off camera.

Uloo at rest

Photo of an orange, black, and white calico cat sitting half on a marble floor and half on a little rug.

Nunu

My older sister’s black cat. Not particularly friendly with non-family members, so not easy to get photos of. But she is a lovely looking cat.

Nunu keeping an eye on things

Photo of a black cat sitting on a marble floor, next to a chair.

Billi/Billy

My aunt’s medium-haired tabby, a friendly adopted stray who hangs around the garden. I didn’t get to spend any time with her/him, but she/he very much wanted to spend time with us while we were visiting.

Billi/Billy wants to be let inside the house (or for us to come out and play!)

Photo of a medium-haired tabby cat sitting prettily on the verandah of a house, looking in through a sliding glass door.