Creek with silky flow

From the recent post on over use of neutral density filters, this was another example of over use of 3 filters here. Funnily, the overuse of filters does contribute to severe vignetting. The correction of that rendered the photo a little unreal. Still, this image somewhat gave that air of inspiration and energy!!

The shot taken at Mt Baw Baw a while back. It was very dark, broodingly wet when I visited a random creek in the region. A shot out of curiosity turned out not so bad when I viewed some time later!

Taken by Pentax Da* 16-50mm f2.8 -> The zoom with dodgy reputation for hunting autofocus and bad quality control from Vietnam!

Creme Brulee

This desert was a great delight before I went to bed!

So wonderfully done

Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia

I recalled this place being really wonderful: the end of drive of great ocean road, Victoria, Australia. This is the nearest spot before reaching Warrnambool - the city that I might work in the following year. 

The water here looks so tranquil and peaceful. In fact, there is all deadly rifts underneath. Still with this wonderful cover of magic hour lighting.

Taken by Canon 50mm f1.2L

Really cyan blue everywhere I see. This was really a moment.

Taken by Canon 24mm f1.4L

Glass bokeh

This is a photograph of the handle at the front entrance of Gothic style cathedral near Melbourne CBD. Somehow the day light was dull and there were no many interesting themes in the city streets.

So f1.2 aperture wide open with Nikor 50mm. Surprisingly the rear bokeh is supposed to be harsh and ugly. The result was acceptable.

Confidence

Dont you wish to be as confident as she is being who she is? Spotted at good old Swanston Street

Captured by Pentax Da* 55mm ; not bad for a lens with unreliable autofocus lol

Lady Talbot Drive

Prior to the major bush fire at Marysville Victoria, Lady Talbot drive used  to be a photography safe heaven for me. The place was quiet, ambient and peaceful except some annoying mosquito at times. 

Of course, the creek was no longer there. The place had been turned into an arid rugged landscape with some left over burnt tree trunks.

Now I realised how precious these photographs meant to me ...

They were all shot with stacking of neutral density filters with Pentax k20d. Funny how people criticised this camera so much but I still could get many photographs done with reasonable quality.

I still recalled how my fellow photographer pals call me a bad dud to ruin the natural beauty by over use of neutral density filters. But this is a record of how experimental I was at the time  :)

Typical Australian landscape lighting condition: Terrible green with non reflecting surface of ferns. The high contrast background, awkward orientation of sunlight and the abundance of UV :(

Prayer

How often do we pray and we dont know we are being wishful thinking or just plain stupid?

After seeing some prayers at Rong Shang Temple, some faiths have their places in some people's hearts.

Flamingo

A little bit like a commercial for baby lotion or soft pillow?

She

Coarse and harsh light. Still, this photo grabs me.

I read an article (by Robert Adam) regarding how one chooses to do as a photographer. This image comes to my mind.

I look at her eyes and wonder what she is feeling right now.

Leica 50mm R f2 textures

Leica 50mm. The dream lens. 

The details in the shadow are recoverable. The texture on his skin is well preserved. The feel of pop is very prominent. A lens that is reliable and consistent for day to day snaps.

Banana man

Look at the skin texture and the hair on the arm.

Dont you just love 50mm :)

Shishamo BBQ

This photo was captured in the middle of Japan - Honshu where local vendor sells various local produce from the region.

I just want to make a note regarding a list of places I want to visit over the next few weeks in Melbourne.

1. Soft Tacos Chingon Cantina y Tanqueria - 413 Swan St, Richmond Ph 94295695

2. Meyer Lemon Tart - Albert St Food & Wine 382 Sydney rd Brunswick Ph 83546600

3. Aylesbury Duck Wayside Inn - 446 City Rd, South Melbourne Ph 9682 9199

Moth

The bokeh and colour are very rich in deed.

Cascade waterfall

It was a freezing day. Very nice neutral density shot of this view :)

Emerald Eye of Snake

The window to the soul.

Chairs in Forbidden city

The chair does make a good subject to view. The bokeh is quite creamy.

Winter food

Main course at Enoteca

Frankston sand dune

Formosan butterfly

Sometimes nature does bring wonder.

Fire Ball

The fireball and dragon foot. This is to cast enemy away.

Street music play at federation square

Federation music

Porcelain Lavin Limited Edition

Lavin porcelain collection

Breakfast at Hyatt Hotel

Breakfast is the sign of civilisation

Ox tongue ravioli - Italian

A restaurant discovered in the boring Richmond of Victoria. Very nice winter food though. One hat restaurant.

A visit to Frankston

A drive to Frankston. This calamari was good to start the day :)

So creamy. It was yummy.

Sun set at Pinnacle

Sun set at the same spot every year. Wind was severe and chilly. Yet the direction of lighting was always on the  wrong side. Lucky though there was a quick shit storm straight after this shot.

Tranquility

Sometimes, dont we wish to be like the water motion. Ripples come and go returning to tranquility. It is as it is.

Old time work

This was a photo that took a youthful me to get that acidic metallic look. Back then, the effects were not readily available.

Looking at the old photo I used to be frankly crazy with. I admired the old me :)

Vendor food

Food like these always surprised you. Life is always about re discovery of small things.

Moreton Bay Bug Rissoto

This was the entree I tried in Richmond on Enotecca - one hat restaurant. 

Extremely salty. Lobster was no where to be seen. Yet the texture was similar to baby vomitus.

God bless

Quail smoked and onion boiled

At traralgon Neilsons. A very delicate dish

Shakshura

A breakfast at Halls gap

It looks like 2 snags of elongated faeces...

Koala Kiosk at Dadswell

Joel told me that this koala has a pair of demonic eyes!

Desert assorted at Neilson's

Traralgon Neilson's

Lamb tenderloin

Traralgon Neilson's Lamb

Smoked quail at Neilson's

At Neilson from Traralgon

Fireworks above Federation Square

No tripod. No long exposure. Just a simple snap!

Graffiti

Volcano Ramen

A little bloody looking LOL

Melbourne central sky light window

It still looks the same as many years ago

Ox tail stew, Melbourne, Australia

Yummy 

Sichuan cold strips

This is a very hot chilli dish. The spice made my day really