Barn at Chewton, Victoria, Australia

 

What draws my attention to is the rusted wheels

Chewton has the charm of time decay all around the town.

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Chewton Photos

The cascade, Metcalfe, Victoria

 

Normally this creek is dried out completely. When it fills up, it is nice to do a long exposure

Sony A7RIV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Sony A7RIV shots

Turpin waterfall, Victoria, Australia

 

The waterhole fed by two tiny waterfalls creates a sense of serenity in the region. This is not showing up on google map because this is part of the main damn that supplies the water in Melbourne. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Waterfalls

South Bank Melbourne

 

This is the classic view at South Bank 

This location is the subject to trillion of instagram shots for the cityscape lovers if no drone photography. 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Melbourne Gallery

Pirate Bay, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

It has been a project over the past few years that I try to find these esoteric sea caves which were often immersed in sea during high tides. They are not easy to access but it has become an adventure since pandemic happens. 

The good thing about these sea caves is that no tourists come visit at all. But the bad thing is if anything happen to me, no one would know about it. Sometimes rogue waves would cover the sea cave opening and wash me down the cave into an abyss. The very thought does scare me from time to time. This is why I have stopped photographing sea caves now. Time to do something cheaper and safer. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6 

Sea Cave shots

Fukuroda Waterfall, Japan

 

Lately, I have tried to reorganise some previous travel photos that I have yet properly catalogued. Among them, I spot this whole album of this waterfall in Japan. It is considered as the tallest single span cascade fall in the country. Well, one of friends said to me, "What Fuk u Roda waterfall are you talking about, James?"  That is what boys do in a group bantering on innuendo.

As a tourist, it is a great effort to change transport from bullet train to subway, railway, local tram, then buses. In the end, I got lost. I hired a local taxi to bring me to the mountain foothold in the end. Crazy.

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

I prefer microfourthirds camera on long trips or overseas travel. Just lighter weight and reliable quality. 

Waterfall posts

Lonely fountain in the concrete jungle, Spencer street, Melbourne

 

Solo stroll in the street sometimes gets moody shot after a bowl of ramen!

It has been so cold last few days. It takes 10 minutes to defrost the windscreen. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Melbourne Posts

Hopetoun Waterfall, Otway National Park for Black and White weekend

 

This is probably one of the most photographed waterfall in my home state. Everyone has to get a shot of this location before they die. 

I have been here since the high school days. A lot of memory here. Now there are far too many kids and photographers that the natural vibe is forever lost.

The shot is more high key because microfourthirds sensor easily get blown highlights. Taking the waterfall shot requires a homogenous lighting that one should only attempt in early morning or late evening time. I am lazy lol. So a high key conversion. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 8-18mm 

You can see my other Australian landscape images in the link below:

Australian Landscape

Ikaho Hot Spring, Tokyo, Japan

 

This was taken on a trip to North Hot Spring few hours of train from Tokyo. The place is packed by people. The hike is quite laborious too. The scenery is not bad for the entire journey though.

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 

Alfred Nicholas Garden, Mount Dandenong, Australia

 

Located at the eastern fringe of Melbourne. A place where wedding shots take place because of the settings as you can see.

The descent into this valley where the pond is is quite steep. So taking the tripod and camera down there is a challenge coming back up. This place is crowded in Autumn where the red leaves were seen everywhere. I usually avoid that kind of crowd. 

Sony A7RIV

Sigma 85mm f1.4 

Dragon Head Post

Light Tunnel on Broadwalk in Lake Tyrrell

 

My buddy from US is visiting. He is taking 2 kids to visit his parents in Australia. We were very good friends in medical school. All these ups and downs in study and career in the younger years resurfaced from the memory lane. 

I am not sure he will be into urban cheap eats or something more into the wilderness like the crazy adventures that I do. 

The recent obsession is Urbex in which I do not think a lot of people are into it. I often smell crap and human wastes in these abandoned urban sites. 

This image was taken in Lake Tyrrell again - a place I often frequent when I work in these remote outback towns. The light painting is done by an optic tube. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Night images

Lake Tyrrell Night

Seaford Pier Sunset

 

This pier is an attraction for troubles. It crashes a few times over the year. The place often gets seagulls (sea rats) attacking people randomly. One kid got a blind eye as a result as well. The water smells of organic waste from these flying sea gulls too. 

It looks nice pointing my camera at the sun. Unfortunately these seagulls looked like dusts on my camera sensor!

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Sea

Night sky with obscured Milkyway in Lake Tyrrell

 

This is the well known bus abandoned next to the arid part of Victoria. This is where my car gets bombed out a few times - not good karma around here

More management team blunder at work. Sigh... I work to live...

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Lake Tyrrell

Lone Tree Sky Window

 

During a hike in Loddon Mallee Region, there are many natural windows to look through 

Freezing weather as usual. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

50mm Photos

Inglewood, Victoria, Australia

 

Work is becoming busy again. Mum tells me that having work is a good thing. "Cherish it!" she says to me every time I complain about working all the time.

My photography pal got Covid. So my weekend is rather dramatic that he just called me every 5 minutes for his symptoms. I cannot even take a trip to the hills for a good exploration. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Lady Talbot Drive post

Mungo National Park and night sky, New South Wales, Australia

 

Willandra Lakes Region is wide and large. It is also a world heritage zone. The night time is actually not quiet. There are all sorts of sounds that are kind of spooky to hear. The night in the desert is pretty much alive. 

The view gets my adrenaline pumping. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Night posts

Sunrise near Kyabram Victoria Australia

 

My buddy was on the phone with me the whole evening. He was isolating for his respiratory disease. The talk was all about managerial capitalism. In deed, my last 10 years of experiences in public sector is just for short term gain. Everything is so coded and benchmarked. Who gives it a rat about long term goals of the organisations?

I  guess the morning view like this is a better mood cleanser for me.

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sunrise posts

Back Beach, Mornington Peninsula Melbourne Australia

 

It has been a fever to capture various unknown caves at seaside since the pandemic. Well, this is the best way to avoid crowd. And there is a bit of explorer feel to it. My friend got various sorts of trauma from walking around these areas too.

I just got my forth dose for Covid. Arm is painful for quite a few days already. 

Cave posts

Pirate's Bay, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 

This is the coast that is still classified within Melbourne district. And, no, there are no pirates here. In fact, pirates will die coming here. This cave is usually under the sea in high tide. These rocks can cut my shoes so easily like razor blades.

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Mornington Peninsula Posts

Mallee sky every night, Australia

 

Mallee region is said to be the part of outbreak if spies and murderers want to disappear from the world. However, I dont see any of them at all.

After work in regional towns, I always love to stop by the sides of road enjoying the sky.

Sony A7RIV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Night posts

Gibson' Steps, Great Ocean Road, Australia

 

Yes, this place gets so many clicks by tourists, including me!

Funnily I did not use a tripod. Nor any filters. Just a simple click. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Great Ocean Road pics

Melville Rocks, Loddon Valley, Greater Bendigo, Australia

 

Earthy rugged landscape used to be something I got obsessed for a while. Since I live close to the arid part of the state.

This is a good location for photographing milky way at night. I just dont have the guts doing so.

Sony A7RIV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Cave posts

Sierra Nevada Rocks, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 

Weather is getting quite cold. -2 degree Celsius almost every night. Walking in the ankle deep sea water on the beach rocks is really designed for iron man or iron woman.

Normally one would come up a poem for this image. I just like to ponder on a view like this. No words.

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sunset Posts

The classic view of Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

For a conference trip to Sydney, one has to take a souvenir shot back home. Pity there was no shiny light up projections on the evening.

Panasonic G9

Leica 8-18mm

City posts

Sailor's falls, Trentham, Victoria, Australia

 

Sailor's fall is beautiful - this is the lower portion of the waterfall

Sony A7RIV 

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Water Images

No 16 Back Beach Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Love the spot behind Dragon Head No 16 Rye beach in Mornington Peninsula 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Beach posts

The intense blue is particularly nice in Winter 

Not good for my wet feet

p.s. The spam filter on blogspot is a nightmare. I cannot even comment on other blogs anymore. I even struggle to get inside this blogspot. This reminds why I left Blogspot 5 years ago. PTSD!

Grampians Sunset

 

The typical Grampians Sunset

The graduation of light and layers of colour are what I really like about the area

Panasonic G9

Leica 42.5mm 

Grampians

Travancore, Melbourne, Australia

 

Well this area stinks. A lot of sewage and a lot of faeces lying around.

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

But the lines and patterns are just amazing!

Travancore Blog

Cold snap in Winter Corop

 

Working in the regional Victoria, this view is what I need to live with every early morning.

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Australian Landscape

Pink Cliffs, Heathcote

 

This toughness in outback desert reflects the spirit of the regional Australia. I love the look of Pink Cliff in Heathcote where it does not take me long to drive to get to it!

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Desert pics

Warburton Creek

 

A bit Zen, right?

Love the tone in this place. In summer, this spot would be filled with fierce mosquitoes everywhere. 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

This place is so dark I dont even need a neutral density filter

Creek

Lake Tyrrell with another look

 

This lake is like a woman with menopause. There is such much volatility in its mood variation. She can be charming or cruel. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 8-18mm

Other Lake photos

Lake Tyrrell Photos

Warburton Creek

 

Long exposure in this waterway turns out quite rewarding 

Sony A7RIV + FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Long Exposure shots

Grantville Sunset

 

A typical view at this quiet town of Grantville!

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Other sunset photos at

Sunsets

Arid Lake Tyrrell Victoria Australia

 

This place is deserty looking. So dry and arid that it is almost iconic for toughness to live in the outback. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Other Lake Tyrrell Pics

Lake Tyrrell Pics

Lake Tyrrell Sunset

 

Another shot at Lake Tyrrell without the sky mirror glamour 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Lake Tyrrell

Grampians creek above McKenzie Falls

 

The turbulent water without long exposure gives a different feel 

Panasonic G9

Leica 8-18mm 

River shots

Tenby Point Coast

 

Long exposure to turn the water into creamy flop. Love the texture it oozes.

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Morning Fog through Corop Victoria

 

Love the refreshing cool tone due to the fog

Sony A7RIV + FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Check out the post from the same location

Corop, Victoria

Lake Tyrrell Sunset

 

Sunset with human figures turn out not too bad

Sony A7RIV + FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Corop, Northern Victoria, Australia

 

Corop sunrise through the fog. It was so freezing!

Sony A7RIV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Sunset at Lake Tyrrell

 

Reverse Sunset at Lake Tyrrell

Sony A7RIV 

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Lizard Rock Milkyway

 

Subtle light with Milkyway 

Mornington Peninsula

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm 1.8 GM

Gibson Steps, Great Ocean Road

 

It is always refreshing to be around

Sony A7RIV + FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Love the light

Sunset at Tenby Point

 

Long exposure at Tenby Point Sunset

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Grantsville Sunset

 

A lovely sunset bypassing the jetty

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Toorongo Creek, Mt Baw Baw

 

Despite it is so freezing up there, the diffuse light and uniform colour tone allows proper long exposure on the water.

Sony A7RIV  FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

No 16 Beach, Rye, Dragon Head, Mornington Peninsula

 

The iconic place in a sunny weather

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Lake Weeroona, Bendigo

 

This lake does look special at the golden hours. Though not the dazzling yellow light, the cool tone will do!

Sony A7RIV + FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Seaford Pier Sunset

 

This spot is revered by many photographers in Melbourne - short travel and ease to set up the gear for long exposure under the bridge

Laowa 9mm f5.6 is a lens that does not have a good flare control. However, it is still an exceptional lens. Also a bit of glare makes the image real lol

Sony A7RIV allows me so much pixel to play with. Good dynamic range helps here.