Breeze

Usually my early morning walks are categorised by calm weather. This was not the case the other morning, when the breeze was unusually strong. So, when I wandered past one of my old haunts, I couldn't help but notice that the University of Queensland flag was flying proud. I couldn't not try to get a shot with the sun back lighting the flag nicely. I only wish that there was a large white building across the street to reflect some light onto the facade so that it would be a little easier to expose across the full frame a little easier. (OM4, Tamron 35-80mm SP f2.8-3.8, f8, HP5 @ 400)

Bond Store

This shot is another in my study of Brisbane's Customs House. Under the grand old building was purported to be the original bond store. This window is set into the large stone wall that forms the riverbank. Judging by the inclusions in the wall, the wharf was once directly attached to this rock face and goods would have been loaded and unloaded from ships and held within the customs complex. I have no idea if these rooms are still accessible, but there is a certain romance they now convey. I particularly like the way this early morning light plays across the face of the stone to show the texture in all its glory. (OM4, zuiko 50mm f3.5 macro, f11, FP4 @ 125)

Customs facade 1

The facade of Customs House is dominated by four ornate columns standing proud about the main entrance. I particularly like the way that the early morning light washes back off surrounding buildings to softly illuminate the intricate detail of this most magnificent building. This shot is intended to convey the quality of the work that is evident throughout the structure. (OM4, zuiko 135mm f3.5, f5.6, FP4 @ 125)

Customs at dusk

I tend to be a creature of habit, and I have found that I most often photograph early in the morning on my way to work. Perhaps this is borne out of a general reluctance to photograph when too many people are around, in case one might ask what I am doing. One reason for choosing to embark on my Customs House series was to force me to investigate the effects of the different light and different lives of the subject. This shot was taken late on a Friday afternoon. I wanted the sky to still be bright, but I also knew that the veranda areas would be well lit to give the building a warm glow. Shot hand held and wide open, I would probably want to at least use my monopod and stop the lens down a click to improve the sharpness if I attempt to use this light again. (OM4, zuiko 50mm f1.8, f1.8, HP5 @ 400)

Lamp on Queen

Customs House in Brisbane, completed in 1889, is an icon in the city and it has a colourful history. In Customs from Queen, posted a little while ago, I mentioned that I was considering embarking on a small project to capture different aspects of this most magnificent of our buildings. Well I am considering no longer, and this post is the first of my series to present one subject in many different lights (so to speak). This shot is taken from the other side of the road, where I noticed that the decorative street lamp had a top that echoed the dome atop the main subject. I could not resist using this as my first post because it is the dome that most immediately identify with the structure, and I have tried to capture the essence of its shape but use a shallow depth of field so not to reveal all of the detail in one frame. However, I think that this still gives a hint of the building's decorative style and presence. (OM4, Zuiko 135mm f3.5, f5.6, HP5 @ 400)

Customs from Queen

Another example from my exploration of wide angle studies of Brisbane doors. I am unsure of this shot because I have not attempted to correct the perspective, so the verticals are converging quite dramatically. Strangely, however, I don't seem to mind the convergence in this case too much because it seems to give a sense of presence to this wonderfully grand building on Queen Street. Most people who pass the building tend to remember the structure for its dominant domed roof, but I think that its columns and entrance are equally impressive. A photo study of Customs House might be another challenging project for me to explore in the coming weeks and months. (OM2n, Tamron 28mm f2.5, f8, HP5 @400)