Brisbane Art Deco Part 3 - Pseudo Deco

This is one of three photographs I have taken in support of Nicole's interest and probably the most appropriate to post first as it not only compliments the previous image theme wise, but also steers us back to Nicole's art deco focus. No prizes for guessing where this is. I must say I'm a little surprised that this door hasn't been nailed by Boyd in his wanderings. The title refers to the style I think it's trying to portray, although whether that's deliberate would require a query of the designers, whoever they may be.

Abstract Study 7

At the top (ie George St) end of the Queen St Mall there is an eatery that has some very interesting architectural detail in its fit out and finish. One piece that caught my attention a long time ago is this piece of alloy that has been machined and polished in a way that leaves simple patterns in the metal. This is placed next to some glass to give an even more interesting effect with its reflection. I have been meaning to make an image of this subject for quite some time, and my current project seems to have given me the perfect excuse. (OM2n, Tamron 35-80mm f2.8-3.2 SP zoom, f8, HP5 @ 800)

Riverfront Place Streetside

This shot was taken from the Eagle Street side of the Riverside Centre, sort of like a mirror image of my earlier Seidler Swoosh post taken from the river side of this same complex. In this frame you can see the trademark architectural detail of the flowing lines common to each of Seidler's Brisbane towers. I composed this to capture the interesting line detail that makes up the entrance, and the way that the frame for the extended glass-topped roof is silhouetted in the morning sun and reflected in the glass walls of the lobby. Although the main doors to the complex are included, they certainly are not features of the scene. (OM4, Tamron 24mm f2.5, f5.6, HP5 @ 400)

Abstract Study 4

Early morning light and glass towers on Eagle Street combine to create some very interesting reflections. These relatively recently planted palms are located next to a wall that is textured with long vertical lines. I wanted to play with the effects of the long, bright reflections playing on the tall, straight trunks of the palms with the dark texture behind. Possible it doesn't translate as well as I hoped. (OM2n, Tamron 135mm f2.8, 5.6, HP5 @ 400)

Abstract Study 3

I have given the doors a bit of a rest to go back to my line studies for this post. This shot involves a rather familiar theme involving the lines of one building reflected in another of the modern glass towers in Eagle Street. I like the way that the reflected lines match the patterns in the building to make the panes appear strangely concave. I rotated the original image 90 degrees to the right to add a little interest. (OM2n, Tamron 135mm f2.8, f5.6, HP5 @ 400)

Abstract Study 2

I was trying to capture the wonderfully fluid distortion of lines in the early morning river reflections. I noticed that the low angle of the sun created areas of deep shadow and bright highlights where the reflections were generated from the rendered concrete of the waterfront buildings. I am not sure that this image qualifies for my series on lines, but I am reasonably happy with the almost psychedelic (in a monochromatic way) patterns created and the tonal range captured (OM4, zuiko 135/3.5, 1/125s, f8, fp4 @ 200).

Abstract Study 1

This is another image from the same roll of film as my previous post (ie OM2sp, zuiko 50mm f1.8, FP4 @ 200). I think that over the next little while I will take a leaf from Martin's book and try to pick a theme or two to explore in greater depth, along with my usual achitectural stuff. One theme will involve a strong element of design–line–the other I am yet to settle on, but it is likely to be more subject-based, like "Doors". My chosen image obviously fits with the former theme. I particularly like the way that the wall has strong lines, and that the reflections from another building add a different dimention that complements the overall effect (no manipulation to the image other than a little sharpening and 180 deg rotation).

Anzac Memorial

Like Martin, I too have shot a roll this week with more than one useable frame. I decided to post these two photos as my final of a series that I have done of the ANZAC Memorial. I have been detouring past the site every other day to see what changes. Someone must have left a small vase and posy over the weekend, but by the time that I saw it on Monday the heads of the flowers had bowed, seemingly in respect of the fallen. I took this low perspective shot to get the flame in the background (OM2sp, 50mm f1.8 Zuiko, FP4 @ 200).

A couple of days later I passed the memorial again, but this time during light rain (yes, apparently it does rain in Brisbane very occasionally). It was quite dark and I had with me a Tamron 135mm f2.5 (same camera and film), so I shot with it wide open and hand-held. Although the result is not tack sharp, I quite like the paw as a subtle reference to the flame and the reflections of the flowers with the mosaic behind.

Special Assignment 7

This shoot was about finding the back-to-front reality that we encounter every day in the form of reflected images. Here are the results of our mirrored meanderings through Brisbane.

Alchemy Views by Boyd

Alchemy is a new restaurant down by the river. Early in the morning the reflection in the tinted glass of the large bi-fold doors gives a wonderful idea of the view the diners get to enjoy while having their meals.

-O-


Queens Gardens Reflection by Martin

The stately gardens and pedestrian rush captured in the slick doors of Casino Towers, not to mention the reassuring presence of our photographer!

-O-


The Dome by Nicole

This is an impressionistic view of the tropical dome at the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Shot into the pool it captures the multi layers and the rippling surface. Look out for dim shadows of wishing coins that visitors have thrown in.