The Nun's Pool

Yet another attempt to capture sunrise colour, this time at Shelley Beach with two photo buddies. Unfortunately the promising red glow in the sky dissipated and all we were left with was a pink shade of sorts and I regret to say I was not positioned particularly well. However I've heard there's a light at the end of every tunnel, and my light was a few dolphins arcing through the water, enough of a gift for one day.  If you look VERY closely the dolphins can be seen catching a wave on the very left of the image.

The customary breakfast was not to be had as the Nun's Pool Restaurant didn't open until 8 a.m. It was named after a rock pool where nuns used to bathe by the park so I wandered down to the actual pool. Rock pools hammered out of rocks at the ocean’s edge making a natural swimming pool, are one of Sydney’s defining characteristics. 

Vivid Sydney 2013

 Vivid is pretty much what you make of it - it definitely pays to do your research and it's my opinion that a few trips are necessary to really milk it for what it's worth. Rainy nights are great if you travel with protection as the reflections are almost better than the installations themselves. Late at night just before closing is also a prime time as long as you've targeted one or two favourite installations to photograph. The crowds have thinned and the tripods are safer. They can be used for their intended purpose rather than a protection against over enthusiastic kamikaze crowds or wretched children running unsupervised. 

I've also found it helpful to wait until some images are uploaded to the main site. This provides you with an idea of what may be a good POV or location from which to shoot. Some great shots can be taken from the courtesy ferry for those not lucky enough to own their own watercaft. I  couldn't find one site which documented all the installations, but the ABC has some audio guides available.

Lost Opportunities

Yesterday I missed the sunrise of all sunrises. The sky was on fire and I missed it all because I decided it wasn't worth driving for 1 and 1/4 hours each way if I had to be back to work by 9 a.m. It seems I'm doomed to always have diluted sunrises. In order to cheer myself up, today I made my way down to the abandoned railway tunnel at Helensburgh hoping that I could placate myself on a rainy day by photographing the waterfall which cascades down beside the tunnel.

View Helensburgh old train line, tunnels and station in a larger map

Unfortunately, the waterfall wasn't nearly as impressive as I'd expected and there was so much water on the old railway tracks that I was up to my calves in mud in no time. I've since seen the waterfall in full flow and it would probably be worth a return trip as long as I can work out how to get over those sleepers without incident 

An interesting video of the same location

I didn't have the enthusiasm to continue, so headed for Coledale beach to shoot some wave action where I had the pleasure of being swamped by a rogue wave and ended up with water up to my thighs and my gumboots full of water. Luckily I had some spare socks and a towel as it was pretty chilly down there. I was rewarded for my efforts by the appearance of a rainbow on the horizon, or to be more precise, a double one!

Pelicans In The Mist

I realise that pelicans 'in the fog' was the reality, however pelicans 'in the mist' sounds better. I returned to Como bridge on a repeat foggy day hoping to get a better shot of the webs clinging to the railway fence. 

Disappointingly, there were fewer puddles for reflections, negligible droplets on the webs and the fog began to lift the minute I put my foot on the bridge. Refusing to be daunted I spent some time practising macro work on the solitary spider I did locate. The fog began to thicken again by this stage so I was annoyed that it was time to leave for work. The camera was switched off and I headed home, luckily electing to take the route past the closed jetty.

My reward was the opportunity to capture two pelicans performing their morning ablutions in the midst of all that delicious fog. The moral seems to be that most dismal photo shoots can be turned into a worthwhile experience by some small serendipitous occurrence. 

Observing the antics of these amazing birds always brings a smile to my face.

To Cruise Or Not To Cruise

Engaged in a little site reconnaisance for the 2013 version of Vivid this evening with some photo buddies. We spent two hours on a cruise ship seeing Vivid from the water, or valiantly attempting to at any rate. The ship departed from Darling Harbour, travelled past Luna Park, underneath the Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and back to Darling Harbour. It was somewhat disappointing as the seating was less than desirable - in long rows with no tables, flashing lights and droning music, as well as a consistent flow of people walking in front of us to get to the bar. Photo opportunities were extremely restricted as people jostled for the best vantage point. And as for the food !!! It would have been necessary to crash tackle most of the waiters as they charged by in an endeavour to get the food to those seated upstairs. In spite of these little glitches, it was fun to be out with friends sharing experiences, with plenty of opportunities for laughs.

My friends departed to return another night but my thirst for a few decent shots remained unquenched, so caught the ferry from Darling Harbour back to Circular Quay. Realised very quickly that the view from the ferry (which was free) was superior to the Cruise and it was people free where I was seated. Bliss. Ah well - experience is the best teacher.

 image source: http://www.vividsydney.com/

The Harbour Bridge is always involved in some way in the celebrations

I've realised that Vivid is as much about timing and patience as it is about a visual spectacular. I can't see how you'd do justice to the experience with one visit. It's necessary to spend time viewing each installation to allow the cycle to complete and to decide which component is worth capturing. Some of the installations are not continuous, so you also may miss out on one if you're charging through. Having said that, I think I'm the odd one out yet again because I've become a tad numbed by light shows over the years and I think it's a case of seen one seen them all to a certain extent. I won't dismiss Vivid without at least one more visit however and this time I'll make sure I have my wide angle lens with me because it's impossible to get back far enough to capture some of the buildings completely in frame. Perhaps this is the time to give my new Fisheye its inaugural evaluation :-)

Foggy Morn

The first true fog of the season arrived today and didn't lift until about 10 a.m. I headed for the nearest scenic location, the wharf at Como, however it was looking pretty lacklustre as the wharf was still cordoned off for repairs and all the available angles looked pretty boring. I thought I may be able to get some decent shots on the bridge and spent a fair bit of time playing around with reflections in the puddles on the bridge and the spiders' webs attached to the wire fences alongside the railway track.

It was actually intriguing to see the variety of web structures - it was like a tiny spider village. Some homes were perfectly maintained, some damaged, some embellished by water droplets, some inhabited, some abandoned, some securely anchored, some clinging precariously to a single anchor point, some secluded and some clustered close together in groups. Although I was unsuccessful in locating a striking web heavily laden with glistening liquid orbs, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, great to be out in the fog and I was able to capture a few acceptable shots.

Yena Sunrise At High Tide

One of my favourite times to shoot is just after the sun has risen and the new day's light casts a golden glow over everything in its path. I've not published most of my images from this time period because SOOC they look over saturated and I just can't bring myself to tone the colour down.  I went to Yena with Carolyn and we carefully made our way to our own vantage points close to the crashing waves. It was a beautiful mild morning and exhilarating to be down close to the water without having to scale any cliffs or risk life and limb. Just as well we had to waves to shoot because the sunrise was definitely lacklustre. Many of the craters in the rock shelf comprised of exposed Hawkesbury sandstone were filled with water which created some great opportunities for reflections.

 It was worth another trip back for me later on in the morning after we'd had breakfast at Kurnell. I spent some time on the cliffs at Solander to make up for the other day when the wind was blowing so hard that I was unable to stand upright or hold the camera steady.

Pottering Around Potter's

I've always found it confusing distinguishing between some of the coast locations accessible from Kurnell at one end and Cronulla at the other end. I set out on yet another sunrise hunt, however the sad tradition of unrealised expectations was to continue. All was fine when I left home but the minute I opened the car door at Potter Point the cold winds made their presence felt and it became blatantly obvious that there would be limited colour or cloud in the sky.  Hood up and buttons fastened, I was determined not to leave empty handed so I occupied myself by taking shots of many of the rock formations which resembled strange coastal figures.

 I was lucky enough to score some fairly good shots of crows which appeared in a large group and seemed most interested in what I was doing. It brought back memories of Hitchcock's " Birds". It caused me to ensure I kept well away from the cliff's edge in case their circling was in anticipation of pecking on my remains once I'd fallen to my demise.

The following video created by a photo buddy explains how to reach the Point and showcases some of the attractions. Read " Cronulla to the far left" as " Cronulla to the far right" :-)

The following map seems quite detailed and removed the confusion.

The A.N.Z.A.C Tradition

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit this was my first attendance at the A.N.Z.A.C Day dawn service and march. Previously I had always been a participant from the warmth of my loungeroom. I was both surprised and chuffed that the turnout was of mammoth proportions. It takes quite a bit of commitment to rouse oneself at 3 a.m in order to make the long trip to the city, particularly those of advanced years and those with young children.

The mood was respectful and nothing occurred to mar the solemnity of the occasion. After the Dawn Service I made my way down to Circular Quay, then returned to the Cenotaph for the commencement of the march at 9 a.m. Quite by accident I positioned myself in a decent spot ( photographically speaking) on the Cenotaph side of George Street which meant that I escaped having to look into the sun as the march progressed.

Diggers who are no longer with us were represented by descendants of all ages marching in their stead.

 

What really impressed me was the spirit which emanated from the old Diggers, some veterans of a number of wars or peace keeping missions. The tenacity which enabled them to partake in such a long and demanding march was sustained I am sure, not only by their sons and daughters who physically supported them but by the spirit of lost comrades. Their courage and selflessness is as evident today as it was when they placed their lives on the line many many years ago.

 "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them." 

 For our today, they gave their tomorrows

Surfs Up - In A Big Way !

During a stay with my cousin who lives down the South Coast we visited Huskisson Beach where the swell was enormous.

View South Coast Holiday in a larger map

Luckily the sun was behind clouds which reduced the glare of facing towards the light and we were able to find a great vantage point where we could position ourselves to the side of the surfers and obtain a better shot. Even so we were quite a distance away from the action and it was quite a challenge to maintain focus. The surfers were having a great deal of difficulty even getting into the water and I spent ages waiting for that moment to capture the moment. Luckily I was able to grab one shot just before we decided to leave in order to escape the escalating winds.