In the last article, I outlined some basic guidelines to getting subjects to pose in bars. This time, I am going to share the story behind some of my personal favourites to help illustrate the lessons. The Punk Kid Taken at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. Delta 3200 film – hence the extreme grain I […]
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Tag Archives: melbourne street photography
The Art of Bar Photography – Part One
July 20, 2014 
2 Comments
I was hanging out with a few photography buddies at a pub called the “Marquis of Lorne”. What a pub named after Lorne was doing in Fitzroy confused me somewhat, but we had a great day over a few pints and cameras. One of my esteemed colleagues commented on the preponderance of portraits of younger […]
Continue reading Trent Parke – 3 Lessons from “Summer Rain”
July 19, 2014 1 Comment
A copy of “Magnum Contact Sheets” was in my Santa Sack last Christmas. Who would have thought Santa was that clued up on photography? The book presents some of the most famous Magnum images and pairs them with the contact sheet it was selected from. The photographer also gives some commentary around the photo and selection rationale. […]
Continue reading Holga “Toy” Camera
July 12, 2014 3 Comments
Analogue is good. Overlay that with plastic and you get something great! Holga cameras were designed and started manufacture in China during the heady days of the early ’80’s. I suppose they were manufactured as a super economical camera suitable for a radiant socialist future. The are a medium format camera – ie. they take film like […]
Continue reading Cropping an Image to Explore New Formats
June 29, 2014 0 Comments
Getting composition right when under pressure to “take the shot” can be challenging for a lot of photographers, both experienced and not so experienced. Making sure the focus point is where it needs to be, for example, can lead to a bit of “centre” heavy composing – where the subject is smack, bang in the […]
Continue readingDomke F2 Classic Bag
June 22, 2014 0 Comments
Gadgets, doodads, and technical stuff seems to go hand in hand with some photographers. Sometimes I wonder if photographers are just bicycle freaks who are too unfit to ride. Both groups suffer from GAS – gear acquisition syndrome. The number of times I have seen “wiggle” boxes turn up with scientifically proven performance enhancing cycle gear at work […]
Continue readingHolga Panoramic
June 21, 2014 2 Comments
This is one big ass piece of plastic. Seriously, this thing is massive! The Holga Pan 120 takes medium format film and shoots 6cm x 12cm negs – yes, 60mm x 120mm! The camera technically has a 90mm fixed focal length lens – the best estimate I could find for 35mm equivalency was a 29mm […]
Continue reading Tilt Shift Digital Toy Camera
June 21, 2014 0 Comments
Tilt-Shift lenses are designed to help 35mm and medium format cameras achieve the same effect as a large format field camera. The bellows of a field camera allows the photographer to tilt the lens left and right, and shift it up and down relative to the film plate. There are a whole bunch of technical […]
Continue reading Ricoh GR1V Camera Review
June 15, 2014 7 Comments
Simon Stephenson got me hooked on the Ricoh GR1V – a little surprise of a camera. You can now read my review of the wonderful newish digital version of the Ricoh GR here! Ricoh have a fair bit of cred in the compact camera space. The GR series of 35mm film cameras have continued into […]
Continue reading Yikes! It’s Raining…
June 14, 2014 5 Comments
Heavy rain is a great time to get out and shoot. Have confidence that you can do it without ruining your gear by following a few guidelines. Before the rainy season starts in your city, you should already be scouting potential rainy day spots. Think about where people are still going to be walking even […]
Continue reading Nikon 35Ti Camera Review
June 14, 2014 5 Comments
What a wonderful little camera. The Nikon 35ti was made from 1993 – 1999, the period of the “Great Resistance” – a time when the film companies thought everything was still going to be OK. Nikon mostly did not skimp on anything with this little beauty. The Lens is a suprisingly sharp 35mm F2.8 Nikkor. […]
Continue reading Compact 35mm Cameras
June 9, 2014 5 Comments
Hmmm, it would seem I am a regular breaker of one of the ten commandments handed down to Moses on Mt Sinai. “Thou Shalt Not Covet” It is tough when friends come along to a photography function with shiny new items. I find that as soon as I pick up a camera or lens that […]
Continue readingCamera Straps
June 7, 2014 1 Comment
If you wear the standard “branded” strap that came with your camera please click out of this website and never come back, unless you are wearing it “ironically” – But you better look like one of these guys if you are using that escape clause… Apart from the clear crime against humanity, branded straps are […]
Continue reading Howey Place
June 7, 2014 1 Comment
Once you have visited the more popular laneways, Howey Place is one of the next destinations worthy of a wander. It is mostly covered, providing a great option for wet days. It is relatively narrow and tends to funnel subjects – so just find a good spot and start camping. Frame your shot then wait […]
Continue reading Don’t Just Make a Carbon Copy
June 1, 2014 2 Comments
Architectural Photography is a passion for some. Taking a shot of a building’s interior or exterior, with the perfect lens, on a perfectly still tripod, with the perfect light, and at the perfect angle is challenging pursuit that requires patience. The same applies to Landscape photography. The result can often transcend the technique. But mostly […]
Continue reading City Square Water Feature
June 1, 2014 0 Comments
The City Square has a few different locations worth checking out which were covered off in this post. On the Collins St side there is a water feature that is a great background for the right subjects. I haven’t really got an image I am 100% happy with yet, but hope these location roughs do […]
Continue reading Richmond Station
May 31, 2014 0 Comments
Behold my most favourited picture of all time! Richmond Rail Station provides many opportunities. This particular image was captured looking down the exit ramp from the platform, waiting for the light to stream down from the skylights. The colours of the tiles combine with the dirty whites to deliver great contrast. Here it is from […]
Continue reading Hosier Lane
May 31, 2014 0 Comments
Hosier Lane is a landmark Melbourne laneway, featuring wall to wall street art and graffiti. The art is constantly changing and can provide some spectacular backgrounds. It even has it’s own website here. There are always a few tourists and visitors checking it out. You can expect a lot of DSLRs with kit lenses pointing […]
Continue reading360 Collins St – High Persepective
May 25, 2014 0 Comments
After spending some time studying Fan Ho, I realised that too many of my images were captured from a consistent perspective of about 5ft 8inches – head height… Images become more interesting when they show something from a new perspective. You can read more about this and Fan Ho’s work here. Finding high or low […]
Continue reading Rangefinder Cameras – Starting Out
May 25, 2014 7 Comments
Rangefinder Cameras are a revelation to photographers who are starting to delve into more exotic kinds of gear. At first glance, to the developing photographer, rangefinders can look like toylike and less than worthy of your new found skillz. There are good reasons why rangefinders can look a bit ‘r Us. The viewfinder is a […]
Continue reading111 Bourke Street – Aussie Post HO
May 24, 2014 1 Comment
There is a great spot on Bourke Street – between Russell and Exhibition Streets for a quick bit of people spotting. The building is the Head Office for Australia Post, and no expense appears to be have been spared. My favourite location here is the building street number sign itself. Stacks of lines and solid […]
Continue reading Inconspicuosity Tip #2 : Angles
May 18, 2014 5 Comments
How little people notice can be quite amazing. Photo ninja skillz do not involve things like stealthy camera bags with lens holes or 90 degree angle mirror attachments. Actively “hiding” when out with your camera is a tad on the childish side. The less you are noticed, the less you will contaminate or interfere with […]
Continue reading Fan Ho – 9 Composition Techniques. Part Four.
May 17, 2014 5 Comments
8. Light Funnels Urban landscapes create many Light Funnels that Fan Ho took advantage of to either add drama to an image, or backlight a subject to some degree. The narrow confines of Hong Kong’s streets offer many opportunities to narrow the flow of natural light into a funnel. In all of the images, […]
Continue reading Fan Ho – 9 Composition Techniques. Part Three.
May 12, 2014 5 Comments
5. Look for Angles that are Not Ninety Degrees. The Beauty of 120 Degrees. Ninety degree angles naturally appear everywhere. Fan Ho often created images using angles other than ninety degrees, often approximating 120 degrees. Angles other than ninety are unexpected and more interesting. The angles of the shadows in this image are much wider than […]
Continue readingMore GPO
May 11, 2014 0 Comments
I covered the GPO in this post some time ago. Here are some more reasons to explore potential opportunities there. The GPO has a beautiful outdoor undercover area around the perimeter of the building, featuring repeating arches. There are a couple of cafes located here, giving plenty of subject options from amongst the diners. If it […]
Continue reading Fan Ho – 9 Composition Techniques. Part Two.
May 10, 2014 6 Comments
2. Light Edges Light Edges are very clear, defined strips of light contrasting with a shadow. These feature regularly in Ho’s images to highlight what is usually a small human subject. The size of the subject removes the “human” face and enables the viewer to project themselves into being the subject (IMHO). These Light Edges […]
Continue reading Fan Ho – 9 Composition Techniques. Part One.
May 6, 2014 6 Comments
Fan Ho has captured Hong Kong over the years using a Rolleiflex. Born in 1937, Ho has an important body of work that borrows from his experience as a Hong Kong based film director. You can find out more about him at his website here, and an interview with him here. I have one of his […]
Continue readingUnion Lane, DJ’s Coffee Shop, and Sugden Place
May 4, 2014 0 Comments
I suppose it is time to start sharing some of the “gotta go to” locations rather than the more esoteric “hidden gems.” Union Lane is one of several “sanctioned” street art laneways in Melbourne. Entry is via either from the Bourke Street mall end or Little Collins Street. The street sign is usually painted or […]
Continue readingFootscray Rail Yards
April 24, 2014 0 Comments
I have quite the passion for photographing big mechanical things – trains, ships, jet fighters to name a few. Can’t quite explain it, but there it is. If you are heading out to Footscray Station, and you are a bit adventurous, maybe give the Footscray Rail Yards a try. There are plenty of abandoned carriages […]
Continue reading Busy Places – Buildling Your Skills
April 22, 2014 0 Comments
Busy Places Busy places are full of busy people all moving in different directions with different purposes. Their minds are wholly engaged with their own affairs and missions. Whether in a group or by themselves, their main priority is whatever it is that they are doing. Their default is to not even notice you, unless […]
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Ricoh GR Digital Compact
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The Easiest Way to Develop B&W Film. Ever.
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Contax G2 Review – Autofocusing Rangefinder Brilliance!
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Tips on Managing an Exhibition
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Does Street Photography Matter?
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Ballarat International Foto Biennale Review
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Creative Brief – Japan! Part Two
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Creative Brief – Japan! Part One
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Seven Thoughts on Seven Images – Part Three
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Seven Thoughts on Seven Images – Part Two
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Inconspicuosity 