Cold morning at Maiden Gully, Bendigo

 

A frosty morning. The sky is like quite glorious. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sunrise Photos

 

Port Melbourne black and white

 

A weekend with Joel searching for the slick candid photo. Got nothing but a random snap 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Focal Length 135mm

St Arnaud's Mural at night

 

St Arnaud is a town that I always drove by on the way to Horsham once a month. Until telehealth has become a common fraud, I do not need to drive to other towns so frequently anymore.

The mural is a classic in town. I get the lovely latte in the nearby cafe that has changed hands once a year.

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Milkyway in Lizard Rock

Participating in through my lens too

Through my lens link

Cortinarius rotundisporus in Yarra Junction, Melbourne

 

It is very hard ignoring it when I see one. Love the petite look of it. 

Sony A7RIV

Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro

Mushroom

Waratah Lake, Grampians National Park

 

The standard look from Boroka Look Out

Fujifilm XPro2

Fujifilm 16-55mm f2.8 

Old post on Grampians National Park 

Grampians National Park

Sea Cave, Sierra Nevada Rocks, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia

 

Kind of spooky inside this cave. But the view is quite nice. Worth the effort to come here in the cold.

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Skywatch Friday

Princess Pier, Melbourne

 

The underside of the Princess Pier is all rusted. The place stinks because of massive deaths of star fish. How lovely an urban exploration ends up in this ugly spot.

Sony A7RIV 

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Melbourne Street Photography Blog

Hosier Lane mural art, Melbourne

 

This is a scene that reminds of the "No Face" in game of throne series. The spotlight happens to shine on the mask which is kind of spooky. 

I was on the mission to get some street candids. Then an unexpected view turned up. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12mm f1.4 

Mural Monday Link

Mackenzie Falls, Grampians National Park

 

Iconic waterfall in Grampians National Park is becoming busier as time goes by. The place might turn into a shopping mall soon.

Panasonic G9

Leica 10-18mm f4-5.6

Waterfalls

Pulpit Rock, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Pulpit rock is a basalt type formed by cooling lava. This is a popular location for angling fishing and photographers. Few get hurled out into the sea every year according to the statistics. During high tide, one would be standing at the sea floor scuba diving. 

Coming here is always a challenge. Photographers are like a pack of wolves here. We gonna get our spots like a prized possession. I often browse for stock market news on my phone, squatting on these uneven rock surfaces. 

Did I mention that there were more tourists than the fish in the ocean here?

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Cape Schanck Mornington Peninsula

Lotus reverie, Yarra Junction, Melbourne

 

This was taken when it was warmer. Something I do every time I receive a new prime lens for testing.

Apparently, there was this link event for Floral Friday. 

Floral Friday

Sony A7RIV 

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Heathcote, Victoria, Australia

 

It was a nice walk in the area after a light brunch.

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Heathcote

Hosier Lane mural, Melbourne, Australia

 

This one was repeatedly painted over by graffiti but then resurfaced again and again like a phoenix!

This post is anticipated for the mural Sunday event I saw recently. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Mural

The Sunrise in Nyah West, Victoria

 

I am a rural geriatrician. So, I provide consults to the remote nursing homes in Vic-NSW border towns. This sunrise view is the bonus view I often get. This only last 5 minutes or so before the sky became a wonton. 

The only concern is that big trucks and cargo carriers often speed without a worry in the world. Taking a shot by the roadside is quite risky. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Sunrise

Tyama light magic, Melbourne, Australia

 

This light show turned out to be a surprise for a lazy photographer like myself. I just press the click without any hard work apart from walking from the carpark to the location lol

I created a post on my blog on home website

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Tyama

Foraging in the bush, Emerald

 

The sheer joy of getting a macro shot in focus. I am using an old sigma macro lens from 30 years ago. There is no digital coating on the lens. So flare sensitivity is clear. I don't like flashes in macro so this was taken at high ISO. A lot of noise. Well, whatever. It was a nice walk in the wet forest.

Sony A7RIV

EX 150mm f2.8 macro

Mushroom

Sandridge Pier, Melbourne, Australia

 

Sandridge pier is the classic location to take a sunrise shots of Melbourne skyline

The pier is an easy access. I arrived at 4 am with a significant sleep deprivation. Well, anything for a photo. I did need quite a few more cups of coffee after this. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sunrise

Sky mirror at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo

 

This lake is located less than 2 km from where I live. Sometimes the sky can reveal its beauty. The river bank is filled with duck poo though. Very organic smell 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm. f1.4 GM

Sky mirror

Bay of Islands, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Well, that big rock was meant to be my focus of the day for an ultra long exposure. I misread the tides that it was actually a high tide instead of a low one. So I walked to the deck for a timely sunset. The couple was already there trying to suck on each other's tongue. 

So a snap 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Mornington Peninsula

Mount Fuji, Japan

 

A while back, I was organising my albums. I came across the images I once tried so hard in capturing them. Funny how mood has changed over time that I even forgot about it.

Sipping my Latte while writing this post. It does feel right in winter Melbourne.

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

See my blog on Mount Fuji with too many Mount Fuji pics!

Mount Fuji Post

Forest in Warburton, Melbourne

 

Forest in winter is therapeutic for one's soul. Minus the mosquitos, leeches and potholes. 

Coming here requires a commute through Warburton the town known for various cults quarters based in it. The only thing I like from the town is the bakery that sells apple pear pies which is to die for. I even had a photo from it, getting promoted on "In Explore" on Flickr. How bizarre. It was a mediocre shot!

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Warburton Gallery

Fukiware Region, Japan

 

Cost of living went up. I am trying to get some photos to farmer's markets near my home in country Victoria. I came across this one. So I put it up here since I already made the effort of finding it lol

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8 

Travel shots

Woods in Mount Dandenong, Melbourne

 

This is the third month entering the blogsphere of blogspot. I have to say that I start to enjoy blogging on this platform again. The community is warm and engaging. The experience is quite different from instagram, twitter or even tiktok. It is the early blogging experience that probably makes me nostalgic. 

As long as this domain does not get hacked again once the blog is more established. 

This shot was taken after a scrumptious meal at a high tea place on Mount Dandenong. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Woods

Outback in Mungo National Park, NSW, Australia

 

This is the sunset I was happy to see while waiting for the night milkyway shot. Concerned about the clouds in the distance that should disappear by the midnight

Sony A7RIV 

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Sunset shots 

Mycelium in the woods, Mount Macedon, Victoria

 

They do look yummy in the moisture. 

I shot this in the rain actually. I used an old sigma macro lens that was not weather resistant at all.

Sony A7RIV

Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro 

Mount Macedon Gallery

Lal Lal Falls, Ballarat, Victoria

 

The track to the foothill of the falls is always shut since 2006 following deaths of 2 overseas students. Most of my pals went down there regardless. 

In winter, there is no crowd around here. So it is good to slow down here. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Below is the link to my other blog - black and white street candid

Melbourne Street Blog

Phillips Island seashore, Victoria, Australia

 

This was taken during a disappointing adventure to Phillip Island. I was meant to discover a meteor shower at night for the wonder in the night sky. Instead, the thick cloud cover came over my head leaving me in despair. All the effort down the drain that the sky was looking so opaque without colours. Then I set up the gear pointing at the shipwreck in the water. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sea photos

Lake Sanitarium, Mount Macedon, Victoria, Australia

 

A stroll in the woods. Refreshing to see a mushroom. Shallow depth of field is nice too. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Bokeh

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