Dampish

These shots (taken last Wednesday and Thursday at the height of the floods) probably aren't particularly artful, but I thought that I would post a couple I took while out and about seeing exactly where the floodwaters rose, at least in the Graceville/Sherwood area.

While not as bad as the ones in 1974, the flooding that occurred very close to my house was still very bad. We have a number of friends who have had their homes either completely or at least partially inundated. The mess that the waters have made is difficult to comprehend if you haven't stood in the middle of street while all around you is being hosed down, cleaned out or just simply demolished. The smell is particularly distinctive and the colour makes it look like someone has taken a huge syringe and sucked all life from the earth.

The disruption to "normal" life is also difficult to imagine. Simple things like power going off, loss of internet access etc all seem quite trivial, but for those who are already dealing with the devastation just getting power back on is a huge milestone (and many are still in the dark). (Canon 450D, 18-55mm efs zoom)

Sidetracked from the steps ...

In my last post I mentioned that I was sidetracked on my search for steps (ok, it should have been "stairs").

I think that my admiration for the sandstone had caused me to overlook the quality of the modern buildings on campus.

Two in particular, the Brain Institute and Sir Llew Edwards Building, are particularly striking ... (Canon 450d, 18-55mm zoom)

Concrete steps

It was a beautiful winter afternoon for my weekly constitutional around UQ and I was on my own with the dog, so I took my time and explored some spots I don't usually go.

I decided to try to focus on one theme (although I did get side tracked) - steps. This was inspired by Nicole's kind comments of a couple of posts past, but I also wondered if setting a narrow topic would force me to look differently at the common things that I might ordinarily pass and not notice.

As it turned out, I found a few likely subjects. I chose these shots because they seem to capture different feelings from the same medium (concrete) that is finished very differently in different settings.

So there they are: the bare; the organic; and the smooth. (Canon 450D, 18-55mm zoom)

Steele Building

As promised in my last post, here are a couple of images of the Steele Building.

These are taken from the Great Court on a quite dreary afternoon. Regardless of the weather, I still find the sandstone compelling. (Canon 450d, 18-55mm zoom)

UQ trees in June

Ok, I admit, I need to get out more often ...

Seems as though the only time I get lately to take any photos at all is when I am either watching my children play sport or waiting for their sport to finish.

Found myself with the dog at UQ again yesterday afternoon and took the Canon 450d with 18-55mm zoom in the hope that the sunset would be spectacular. High cloud about all day threatened to clear enough after 3pm to set the sky alight. Needless to say it didn't ...

The quite flat and even light drew me to the trees, jacaranda and figs, around the lakes during my walk. I took these shots, but could quite decide which way to represent the lovely fig by the duck pond (any suggestions would be appreciated).

I did venture up to the great court for some more sandstone studies and I might post them soon.

Cha-cha

Continuing my atypical trend of people photography, now complicated by movement! This was taken at Studio One on Wickham Street during dress rehearsal for the Autumn Showcase.
The rest of the shots from that evening are lurking on facebook

UQ contrast

It has been quite some time since I posted, so I thought that I better make a contribution. The last film shots I have taken have been on work trips to Canberra and Melbourne, nothing suitable for posting here!

My youngest continues to run on Sunday afternoons at The University of Queensland (UQ), and I thought that it would be good to take a camera (Canon 450D) today in the hope of getting some inspiration. As I wandered, chatting to my wife with the dog in tow (well, actually leading the way) it struck me that one of the reasons the campus is so alluring is the mix of traditional and modern architecture.

It is almost like the buildings are giving a nod to the knowledge of the past, with their solidity and tradition, while urging the students to energetically embrace what is to come. This seems to create a wonderful tension that helps me see and feel differently on every visit.