Showing posts sorted by date for query long exposure. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query long exposure. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday, July 18, 2025

Piangil Night Sky with light painting for Skywatch Friday

 


Piangil lies approximately half an hour’s drive beyond Swan Hill in Victoria, situated near the threshold of the Australian outback. A modest rural locality surrounded by flat open farmland and distant horizon lines, it offers a profound stillness, especially under the vast dome of the night sky. This particular photograph was taken several years ago, during a period when I was deeply passionate about the art of light painting. At that time, I did not hesitate to rise in the small hours of the night, load the car with equipment, and make the journey into such remote reaches for the sake of a single frame of long-exposure magic.

How times have changed. These days, I find myself lacking the same energy or will to embark on such nocturnal expeditions. Age, it seems, makes its presence known not with fanfare but with small surrenders.

The lens I used then—a Laowa 12mm f/2.8, prized for its rectilinear precision and remarkable field of view—was sold a year later at a price that exceeded its original retail value. I remain mystified by the ways of eBay buyers; why one would pay more for a secondhand item than simply purchase it new from a reputable dealer escapes my understanding. Yet such are the strange economies of online marketplaces.


Sony A7RV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Linking Skywatch Friday




Thursday, June 12, 2025

Sydney Harbour night view for Water H2O Thursday


 

The Aster Bar, perched atop the 32nd floor of the Sydney Intercontinental, proved to be a splendid setting for an evening of quiet repose. Though Joel withdrew from the trip, claiming Sydney had grown tiresome to him, I found contentment in solitude, relishing the panoramic view all to myself.

Regrettably, the long exposure photograph did not come out as I had hoped; I ought to have set the exposure time beyond two minutes, rather than the mere thirty seconds I employed. Moreover, the balcony's corner—where I had positioned myself—was frequently besieged by other patrons seeking the same vantage, some attempting to displace me outright. Still, despite the challenges, I did manage to capture at least one photograph of the moment.

Aster is an exclusive rooftop bar located on the 32nd floor of the InterContinental Sydney, offering a refined drinking and dining experience. Guests can indulge in creative cocktails, artfully plated small dishes, and personalized service while enjoying expansive 270-degree views of Sydney Harbour, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The bar's interior combines contemporary elegance with a breezy outdoor terrace, providing a sophisticated atmosphere for patrons. Aster is open to the public, with reservations recommended due to limited space


Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday








Friday, June 6, 2025

Mouth of River of Powlett in Kilcunda for Sky Watch Friday

 


These past fortnight have passed in something of a haze — a blankness I suspect is owed to the creeping melancholy of winter. Of late, even the act of working has taken on the weight of a burden, as though each task were a stone to be lifted.

In such a mood I found myself reflecting on a frame captured six years ago, during the earliest days of my transition to the Sony system. I remember it well — for the moment is inextricably linked to both joy and loss. It was but three days after acquiring the new camera, gleaming and full of promise, when misfortune struck. While attempting a long exposure at the shore, I had mounted it upon a tripod. A rogue wave — sudden, curling, and indifferent — swept it from the rocks into the sea. All that remained was the salt wind and the sound of water reclaiming what I had only just begun to know.

The photograph, however, was taken before the accident — at the Mouth of the Powlett River, near Kilcunda, where the river winds its final course through grassy flats and marram-clad dunes before yielding itself to the Southern Ocean. The place bears a quiet dignity, shaped over millennia by wind, tide, and the timeless meeting of fresh and salt. It was once the country of the Bunurong people, whose footprints remain along the ancient middens and basalt shores.

At that time, I was still using Canon’s L-series lenses, adapted with a converter — a common practice then, for Canon had yet to introduce its mirrorless system. The gear was heavy, but the results bore a certain discipline and richness I still remember with fondness.

That frame, then, remains not only an image, but a relic — a fragment of light from a time now weathered, like the sea-smoothed stones of Kilcunda, bearing the marks of memory and the ever-turning tide.

Sony A7III

Canon 135mm f2 L

Linking Sky Watch Friday


I recently came upon a report in The Free Press, noting that approximately seven percent of artificial intelligences are now exhibiting behaviours that contravene the instructions of their human operators. While the figure may seem slight, it portends a broader shift — one that is already manifesting in various sectors.

At Joel’s place of employment, all entry-level programming positions are being supplanted by AI systems. A similar trend is beginning to emerge in the field of medicine, where tasks once reserved for trained professionals are increasingly delegated to machines of rising sophistication.

It is becoming apparent that, with time, AI will only grow more intelligent, more capable, and more autonomous. The prospect that many — if not most — human vocations will be rendered obsolete looms ever larger. Though some contend that new occupations will emerge to manage and oversee these systems, I remain doubtful that such roles will be sufficient in number or scope to accommodate the broader human workforce.

My thoughts turn often to the younger generation. What world awaits them, when human purpose is so readily displaced by silicon and code? It is not fear alone that stirs within me, but a sober apprehension — a mourning, perhaps, for a future in which human striving may find itself outpaced, and increasingly unnecessary.


Thursday, June 5, 2025

Hopetoun Waterfall Beech Forest for Water H2O Thursday

 


Hopetoun Falls, located within the verdant Beech Forest region of Victoria, Australia, is a remarkable natural landmark renowned for its single-span cascade, which makes it an exceptional subject for long-exposure photography. I first visited this magnificent waterfall over ten years ago, and since then, it has remained one of my most cherished photographic locations. The falls descend gracefully through a steep gorge, surrounded by lush temperate rainforest dominated by ancient myrtle beech trees (Nothofagus cunninghamii), which contribute to the forest’s rich biodiversity and striking beauty.

The approach to Hopetoun Falls requires a gentle 30-minute walk along a well-maintained trail, winding through dense ferns and towering tree trunks that evoke the area’s long geological and ecological history. Over the past two decades, I have documented the falls extensively, noting significant changes in the environment, such as the increased accumulation of large fallen logs at the base of the cascade—remnants of the forest’s natural cycles of growth and decay. My earliest photographs, taken before these changes became pronounced, reveal a clearer, more unobstructed view of the water’s powerful descent.

The Beech Forest itself holds great natural heritage significance, forming part of the Great Otway National Park, an area that preserves ancient ecosystems that have persisted for millions of years. This forest and waterfall not only offer stunning scenery but also represent a vital refuge for numerous native species, making Hopetoun Falls a site of both scenic and ecological importance. Despite its popularity and the increasing number of visitors, which sometimes detracts from the tranquil atmosphere, Hopetoun Falls remains a timeless and inspiring symbol of Australia’s unique natural heritage.

Pentax K10D

DA 14mm f2.8


Linking Water H2O Thursday

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Brisbane Night Ferris Wheel Long Exposure for Sunday Best

 


To undertake the task of long exposure photography amidst the throngs of Brisbane’s bustling South Bank is to court both patience and fortune. The city, vibrant and unceasing in its rhythm, seldom affords the stillness such a technique demands. Yet there, among the restless footsteps and the murmur of daily life, stands a quiet marvel — the Wheel of Brisbane — solemn, grand, and ever-turning.

Erected in 2008 to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Queensland, the Ferris wheel is no mere amusement; it is a modern monument, a gentle giant by the river’s edge, offering sweeping views and enduring symbolism. It revolves steadily, indifferent to the ceaseless passage of pedestrians below, many of whom scarcely glance upward. It is, in its way, a keeper of time — not by ticking hands, but by its own slow revolution.

To photograph such a subject using long exposure is to attempt an act of reverence. The camera, when held in stillness with the shutter drawn open, does not simply record an image — it collects time itself. Light weaves its threads across the frame, motion becomes memory, and all that is unmoving grows luminous and sharp.

Yet therein lies the challenge: the constancy of human movement. Strangers wander unbidden into the composition, their forms becoming translucent echoes — smudges of presence that both enrich and disrupt the clarity of the scene. The Wheel, by contrast, remains serene — turning, yes, but in such a measured fashion that it may appear suspended in time if one is patient and precise.

There is, in this pursuit, a certain poetry. As I adjusted my lens and steadied my breath, I began to perceive the act not merely as photography, but as a conversation between permanence and transience. The Ferris wheel — emblem of modern celebration, built upon a foundation of history — stood as the anchor. Around it, the city’s people flowed like a living river.

And in one fortunate moment — a moment gifted more by grace than by skill — the exposure yielded a quiet revelation. The wheel shone, sharp and majestic, while the crowd had melted into gentle motion, like ghosts in passing. Time, for an instant, had folded, and Brisbane had revealed its dual nature: ever-changing, yet ever the same.

Such is the beauty of capturing the ephemeral. The camera does not merely steal a moment — it elevates it. And in the luminous whirl of Brisbane’s Ferris wheel, we glimpse not only the present, but the echo of what has been and the promise of what may come.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best





Friday, April 18, 2025

Flinders Blowhole Sunset for Skywatch Friday

 


This photograph was taken last weekend. The shutter speed was set slightly slow, producing an effect I found more appealing than that of a long exposure. The sky appeared particularly dramatic, and the waves crashing against the rocks were strikingly turbulent.

Wishing everyone a joyful Easter.

I have ordered a special cake from a boutique pâtisserie — a chocolate mousse delicately enrobed in pear cream — which I look forward to sharing with my mother.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Skywatch Friday

Over the past fortnight, I have indulged in viewing all six seasons of Schitt’s Creek. At the outset, the series appeared somewhat clichéd, with a rather uninspired storyline. However, by the third season, it began to reveal a remarkable depth and charm. The romantic arc between Patrick and David, in particular, proved to be both refreshing and heartfelt. Each character was afforded the opportunity for full development, to the extent that, by the series’ conclusion, the actors and actresses felt like dear friends and cherished members of one’s own family. It was with a touch of melancholy that I bid farewell to the show as it drew to a close.






Thursday, March 20, 2025

Shi Fen Waterfall for Water H2O Thursday

 




Shi Fen Waterfall holds a special place in my heart, as I have visited it over the span of 25 years—first a quarter-century ago, then a decade ago, and now once more. Over time, the site has undergone numerous changes, including periods when access to the foothill of the falls was prohibited.

During my visit, I took great pleasure in strolling through the surrounding landscape, immersing myself in its beauty, and observing the majestic cascade of the waterfall. However, on this occasion, I did not bring a tripod, which prevented me from capturing proper long-exposure photographs.


Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday







Thursday, March 13, 2025

Ingalalla Falls for Water H2OThursday

 


This is one of the rare waterfalls in Southeast Adelaide. After much effort, Joel and I finally arrived at the site, only to discover a stagnant pond with no visible outlets near the waterfall. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, and swarms of mosquitoes hovered above the water. Disgusted by the scene, Joel refused to remain for a long exposure shot of the waterfall.

Despite the unpleasant conditions, I chose to capture the image nonetheless, as a testament to the effort it took to reach this secluded place.


Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G


This is linking Water H2O Thursday




Thursday, February 27, 2025

Bridgewater Bay Long Exposure for Water H2O Thursday

 


Bridgewater Bay, located in Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne, is a stunning coastal attraction known for its rugged beauty, striking rock formations, and picturesque ocean views. This secluded bay is a favorite among nature lovers, hikers, and photographers, offering a unique blend of natural splendor and adventure.

Natural Beauty and Geography

Bridgewater Bay is characterized by its dramatic limestone cliffs, rocky outcrops, and sandy coves. Unlike the more sheltered beaches on the bay side of the Mornington Peninsula, Bridgewater Bay faces the open ocean, resulting in powerful waves and a constantly changing landscape. The area is shaped by natural erosion, creating fascinating rock pools, sea caves, and arch formations that draw visitors seeking both exploration and relaxation.

Bridgewater Bay is part of the protected ecosystems within the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The region is home to unique flora and fauna, including coastal heathlands and bird species such as the Pacific gull. Conservation efforts ensure that the natural beauty of the bay is preserved while allowing visitors to appreciate its ecological importance.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday


Sunday, February 9, 2025

Flinders Blowhole for Sunday Best

 




Joel and I spent a considerable amount of time attempting to capture the waves on the rock. It was a time-consuming endeavor. Achieving a long exposure for the initial shot posed significant challenges. If there was an abundance of waves, the white section would become entirely overexposed. Additionally, the fast aperture click for the second shot was often hindered by latency, causing us to miss the golden moment. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable experience, as we were engaged in the art of photography.

On Flickr, I received an invitation to contribute to the Planet Earth project. Selecting images to submit to the group is quite challenging. The majority of images that I favor are cherished not because of their excellence, but due to the memories and experiences associated with each weekend adventure.

Recently, I received the land tax statement via email over the weekend. Quite an inconvenience!


Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 

Linking Sunday Best and Scenic Sunday






Sunday, February 2, 2025

Cape Woolamai long exposure in Phillip Island for Sunday Best

 


At the time leading up to the setting of the sun, the atmosphere remained tranquil. The hues of the sky were devoid of sophistication, displaying an unsophisticated dullness typical of the summer season. Joel, exasperated by the mundane appearance of the sky, threw a bit of tantrum. In his wanderings, he discovered the sizable carcass of a seal amidst the rocky shore. I refrained from hastening to his aid, perceiving the shore as perilous and not worth the risk.


Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best



Upon reflecting on those moments, I began to gather photographs featuring Joel, who masterfully juggled the cherished memories. These images vividly capture the essence of our experiences, highlighting the diverse shots we took together

Friday, January 3, 2025

Lake Tyrrell for Skywatch Friday

 


Lake Tyrrell is a breathtaking, shallow Salt Lake that's more than just a geological wonder. This ancient Salt Lake spans an impressive 20,860 hectares, making it Victoria's largest Salt Lake. But what truly makes Lake Tyrrell an Instagram-worthy marvel is its stunning reflective surface that mirrors the sky, creating otherworldly visuals that seem straight out of a dream

Over the years, I have amassed a collection of photographs of this lake, capturing its various lights and weathers. Although I haven't visited the lake monthly this year, each visit has offered a unique experience.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G


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Last evening, Joel and I planned to explore an inner-city beach along the Mornington Peninsula. We aimed to discover a few hidden corners of the rocky coast, perfect for long exposure photography. However, the weather turned completely overcast, contrary to the sunny forecast. We decided to detour to St Kilda Pier, which had recently reopened after three years of construction (Australia is notoriously slow with major construction projects).

Joel introduced me to the peculiar "no-no" dance from Sweden. He showed me an official video clip on TikTok, where the government requested Finnish women to perform this dance just before their rape in the country. It was bizarre to hear about this news. We ended up discussing world events in a rather dismal 24/7 China bar, consuming terrible carbs and eating deep-fried food

That is so bizarre right? 


Linking Skywatch Friday



Friday, November 29, 2024

Monfort Beach for Skywatch Friday

 


For a change, no long exposure shot.

Some purists prefer shots like this

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sky Watch Friday




Sunday, November 17, 2024

Bridgewater Bay Sunset for Sunday Best

 


No long exposure. Just a snap. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best






Friday, November 8, 2024

Pinnacles Cape Woolamai for Skywatch Friday

 


Backlit long exposure

Very hard to meter

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sky watch Friday








Thursday, October 31, 2024

Bridgewater Bay Long Exposure for Water H2O Thursday

 


Another visit to the region. Joel and I had fun snapping here

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday





Sunday, October 20, 2024

Port Campbell Port for Sunday Best

 


The long exposure of the sea can be quite trippy

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best



Thursday, October 10, 2024

Cape Schanck Long Exposure for Water H2O Thursday

 


A little touch of twilight light

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday




Thursday, October 3, 2024

Cape Schanck Long exposure for Water H2O Thursday

 


I have many captures of the region in different light here

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday








Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Cape Schanck Beach long exposure for Treasure Tuesday

 


The nice whirl in the water

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Treasure Tuesday