Near Federation Square

This photo is part of a series of 6 that I'll be sharing taken from a recent night out in the city of Melbourne. The next time I'll be out doing a night shoot in the city will be on New Year's Eve. Hopefully, I'll be able to grab some shots of the New Year's fireworks. 


I must say that I counted myself really lucky to be able to do this on a night full of clouds... sure, at some stage during the shoot it seems like the rain will not hold out. But it did! I recall leaving the city around 930pm and the minute I stepped into the car... the heavens opened and it was raining heavy! Not sure whether I've mentioned this before, for those of you who are visiting Melbourne, be sure to check out this place! Heaps of cools restaurant and personally, I think the National Gallery of Victoria (you can see this place in the background) is one of the best museum in Australia... their exhibits changes frequently and most of the exhibits are free to see... additionally, there are usually cool performances on weekends.

The Most Iconic Building in Melbourne

Yes, you guess right. The most iconic building in Melbourne for me is the Flinders Street Train Station. I liken it to the Sydney Opera House for Sydney. 


Despite its old and colonial looks, it holds certain sentimental values for me - I still remember the first time I stepped into the train station and boarded the train. It was crazy... people all around me, confusing platforms... waiting for the train that never seem to arrive... or after it arrived... it took forever to leave. That was my initiation to Melbourne!

Rugby World Cup - Federation Square

Some of my colleagues and friends are from NEw Zealand ... and yes, you guess right, the past week was "hell" for me, there was an incessant mentioning and bragging of how superb the All Blacks performed at the Rugby World Cup that ended last weekend. 


When the All Blacks were playing the French team... I was busy taking photos in the city near Federation Square. The moment was electrifying... eyes pierced on the big screen - it was intense. I figured, while no one's looking I'll try to capture the moment!

Finally - after close to 3 years

This photo reminds me of a conversation I had with a colleague of my who lives in Australia... yes, she might have grown up in Brisbane and recently moved to Melbourne but that is no excuse for not knowing where Chadstone Shopping Centre is!! I mean, it's Chadstone SC - I remember having it on my wife's list of "must do" when we first arrived here 3 years ago.  In fact, I remember that it was on her top three list of to do!

Come to think of it, I am no exception. Ever since picking up photography, I have always wanted to do a night shot of Melbourne City. Well, like they said "the greatest intention is smallest than the smallest deed". I just never got to do it... yes, there was once I nearly managed to do a night photowalk in the city... but when the rain came down that night, it was all over!

Thankfully, my understanding wife allowed me to do my night photography last weekend... we started in the late afternoon and stayed until about 930pm! 

Nik Software Silver Efex Pro - now I am addicted

Black and white conversion has never been much fun for me, for some reason I just find it difficult to get the mono right. Too bright, too much contrast, too structured etc... for those that are regular readers to the blog know that I don’t do a lot of mono. I find it extremely difficult to get the mood and structure I want to bring out in a photo perhaps its got to do with shooting with B&W in mind… I see things in a very colourful and "as is" way, and I’ve spent a long time training myself in this technique that helps bring this to photographic reality.

I am sold on Silver Efex Pro... and now know why others swears by it.

My wife's photo - taken in NYC

This shot was taken by my wife when she was in NYC. For a fairly new photographer, I actually thought that the composition was really really good. I really like the colour and mood of the photo. So, I took the photo, gave it a crop and some level adjustments ... here's the result.

Queen of self-portraits

"Zi Pai" - that's what most people do (including my wife) whenever she gets her hands on the Canon G12. With the folding LCD screen, self portrait photography has never been easier.

Wilsons Prom - What a day!

Ok, I expected the weather to be so so... in fact weather in Melbourne has an uncanny ability to turn from sunny weekdays to gloomy weekends. Why? Beats me... Something that is extremely irritating for weekends photographers like myself - who can only afford a day or so on weekend to pursue my photographic hobby. 


Anyhow I had originally planned to make a trip to Philip Island this weekend - bad plan! Guess what... I only found out that there is a Motor Grand Prix in Philip Island on Friday... so change of plans... Let's go to Wilsons Prom instead... something that is fairly logical. 2.5 hrs drive from Melbourne - lots of nice scenery ... water, sand, sea... mountain, trees - The Lot! 

Melbourne City View

Back to Outpost Restaurant - I had to try the pork belly again!

I must admit...


I'm not the risk-taking type... in fact when it comes to food - I'm risk-adverse.


Once I found a restaurant that serves really good food... I tend to keep going back for more.


About a month ago, my family chance on this restaurant, my sister ordered pork belly - I took a few bites. It was the best pork belly I've tried. Fancy finding a restaurant of such quality in the middle of Gippsland (for those not living in Melbourne, it's a rural region part of Victoria about 1-2 hour's drive from the city).  Now I am back for more - not sharing this time! I've a whole plate of pork belly to myself. The quality is still good - except I wish the chef did not pour the gravy over the crispy skin.


Also, this time, I brought my tripod - set it up and took these shots.

Polly Woodside

Part of the reason why I enjoy visiting Southbank is because you tend to find something interesting every time you turn a corner. Polly Woodside is now a tourist attraction - you'll have to pay to go onboard. Observing from a distance is completely free! Ah nice!

Flinders Street Melbourne

Walking down Flinders Street - I thought it is simply wonderful that there is a bit of "history" retained in every modern city. These walls are true tell-tale signs of what the city has endured through the passage of time.

Jacky Cheung - part 2

Jacky Cheung in Concert

Ok, first of all... I have some personal opinion to express re planning capabilities of the people who build Hisense Arena. One would imagine that if you build an indoor stadium with a sitting capacity of ~20,000 to 30,000, you would probably build a carpark big enough to match. Nope - there was no carpark near Hisense that can provide sufficient space for a capacity crowd. I mean seriously!


Glad I finally got that out of me. 


Now onto the concert, just some "distanced" observation since I am seated really really far away. (1) Jacky seems a little un-interactive... would have liked a bit more interaction with the crowd. (2) Crowd seems a bit reserved... there isn't the wild & dancy type around, so we sat down the whole night. (3) I still prefer Jacky's old numbers. (4) Pay the extra $50 & sit right in front!