Abstract Rain

We've had a lot of rain lately, and getting a lot of rain is not really conducive to walking around at lunch time taking pictures. I therefore took the ferry and hoped I would be able to get a picture of something. Well, this is that something. As I looked out of the window I saw how the torrent of water made the most interesting and beautiful patterns as it flowed down the window. I wonder what the people thought that day as they looked out the window? Were they thinking, a little annoyed maybe, how the rain prevented them from seeing? Or did they look at the window and see something beautiful, something new and interesting that is never visible on a sunny day. So, as Bernice Abbott would say, I took a picture "...to help people to see".

Ballroom

This is the interesting and very creative art work by Patrick Dougherty, woven from a whopping 10 tonnes of willow tree saplings and sticks. It was commissioned by Fed Square and Creative Production Services to celebrate Federation Square's 10th birthday celebrations.

For more interesting facts on this 'sculpture', visit the Fed Square website.

Hercules Morse

Where do you go for the best coffee in Melbourne? Hercules Morse, of course!

Hercules Morse is a stunning little kitchen & bar in Clarendon Street, Melbourne. Not only do they serve the best coffee in town, but their food is amazing, as is their interesting cocktails. Well worth a visit!

So where did the name come from? Kelly explains;

It is basically the nickname that was given to one of our dogs (Axel) a long time ago, when a little kid and his nanny were walking through the dog park. They started pointing out different dogs and naming them. They pointed to a Dalmatian and said "ooh look, there's Bottomley Potts, all covered in spots". Another dog, "ooh look, there's Muffin McLay, like a bundle of hay". They then pointed at Axel and said "ooh look, there's Hercules Morse, as big as a horse". (We later discovered that all of the rhymes are from a book "Hairy McLary from Donaldson's Dairy")

The name stuck and we decided that we'd use it for our bar, as a bit of a tribute to our big boy. It's probably a better choice than calling it the nickname we gave to our other dog (Milla) - "Mootchy McTwat, she thinks she's a cat".

Capturing The Moment - Part two

The same picture as the previous post, with me having some fun with layer masks, blurring and colours.

The DNA of FUN

This is the Buzzsaw, a relatively new roller coaster attraction that opened in Dreamworld on 17 September 2011. I haven't gone on it yet, but will be going soon.

Spherical Reflections - Part Two

I posted a picture of this interesting ball before, here are a few more taken on the same evening.

I think all people experience the simple joy of interesting art and colourful lights, but children have a way of freely showing what adults hide behind their inhibitions. Simply having fun and enjoying something cool! :)

Abstract View

I was walking along St Kinda road when I snapped this picture while crossing Southbank Boulevard  Pictured here is the overhead tram wires with the State Theatre tower and a backdrop of dark clouds. I thought it made a rather nice abstract picture.

Inside The Worm

This is the pedestrian bridge over the railway lines just west of Richmond Station, connecting the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas in Melbourne Park.

Cow In Tree

Jo-Jo's on Queen Street...

...a colourful place

Venus Rising

This interesting abstract tower was chosen as a piece of public art for Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, to the value of $800 000. Wolfgang Buttress' submission won the competition with his "Venus Rising" tower shown here. It is impressive, but seriously, this tower cost $800 000?!? If they had asked me I would have done it for $500 000.

Spherical Reflections

This is one of the Brisbane Festival displays along the Clem Jones Prominade with the Brisbane river and CBD in the reflection.

Window to the Sky

I took this picture shortly after boarding the CityCat ferry at New Farm in Brisbane. The sun is blocked out by one of the poles of the pier - I thought it made a rather nice abstract photo.

New Home for Lady Justice

This is a different view of a shiny new building in Brisbane - the Brisbane Supreme and District Court. The builders are now putting on the finishing touches to the building and completing the landscaping. As I walked past I looked up at the sun which was just peeking past. I thought it made a rather nice abstract picture.

Christmas Colours in July

It was about 5:45 pm. Brisbane was dark and wet with a light rain falling. Dark shadows of people under umbrellas were hurrying to get to the train station or bus stop - it was late and time to get home. As I walked up the incline to the train station I saw this beautiful play of light on the concrete wall next to me, and took a moment to capture it for you all to see. :)

A Water Bottle Study

For one person it's a "Study of a water bottle", for another it's simply a slow photography day. For me was a little of both, but maybe more just a photo that showed some interesting shapes, colours and light effects. I was in Sydney once again, this time staying in the Sydney Olympic Park. The night before my training was to start I went for a stroll.

After about an hour with no decent pictures I decided to return to the hotel room, cutting through a car park that was deserted at this late hour. It was there that I spotted this bottle.

I had my camera attached to a lamp pole with the claws of my gorilla tripod, 300mm lens fully extended and crouched in a twisted position when two security guards passed. Their faces had expressions that spoke of surprise, concern and utter confusion. I tried to explain why someone would be in a deserted parking lot late at night in the cold, taking photos of a discarded water bottle.

I don't think they got it, but they eventually left after convincing themselves that, even though I was very weird and probably mentally disturbed, I appeared relatively harmless.

Spectacular Sydney! Part Five: Vivid Shelters

Here are two additional displays from the 2012 Vivid Sydney exhibition, the annual event held to celebrate light, music and ideas.

This brightly glowing orange igloo was made of recycled plastic bottles.

Click the links below for other pictures in my Spectacular Sydney! series:

Part One: The Bridge At Night

Part Two: Vivid Fibre Optics

Part Three: Vivid Shapes

Part Four: On a Different Scale

Part Six: The Bridge From Below

Part Seven: A Night to Remember

Part Eight: Vivid Opera

Spectacular Sydney! Part Three: Vivid Shapes

A festival of Light, Music and Ideas - this is Vivid Sydney, an annual exhibition that showcases inspiration and creativity. These were two of the 65-odd displays at the 2012 exhibition.

Click the links below for other pictures in my Spectacular Sydney! series:

Part One: The Bridge at Night

Part Two: Vivid Fibre Optics

Part Four: On A Different Scale

Part Five: Vivid Shelters

Part Six: The Bridge From Below

Part Seven: A Night to Remember

Part Eight: Vivid Opera

Onslaught of the Elements

The battle lost against time. The colours, contrasts and rough textures of this bollard and the huge chains and bolts caught my eye. These pictures were taken from the pier at Barangaroo in Sydney.

Spectacular Sydney! Part Two: Vivid Fibre Optics

I was very fortunate to have been sent to Sydney for work during "Vivid Sydney", the annual festival of light, music and ideas. These pictures were taken on my way to the Opera House. There were two rows of fibre optics that resembled tufts of glowing grass in every colour imaginable. It was mesmerising, which explains why I ended up taking 94 photographs, of which I chose these three to share on my blog.

Click the links below for other pictures in my Spectacular Sydney! series:

Part One: The Bridge at Night

Part Three: Vivid Shapes

Part Four: On A Different Scale

Part Five: Vivid Shelters

Part Six: The Bridge From Below

Part Seven: A Night to Remember

Part Eight: Vivid Opera