I remember taking a photo of my two daughters in front of Luna Park sometime in the early 90s when we were waiting for the boat back to Tassie. I’d taken photos of others in the same place, but it wasn’t till my most recent visit that I realised that I’d never actually been inside before.
So I went inside … here are a few images of what I found in there.
Tim visited at a different time, and his view is quite different. See it here.
When I first started going to Melbourne regularly I was surprised to learn that there were passenger trains operating in the centre of Melbourne. I knew about Flinders St and Spencer St stations but none of the others.
Imagine my surprise to learn that there was a station called Melbourne Central, that it was underground, and that above it there was a shopping centre that had a shot tower in it. And that the shot tower was covered by a cone.
That was a long time ago, of course. Now Melbourne Central is just one of those places I pass through on a regular basis. But I hadn’t photographed it before.
And now I have.
Tim took a great shot of it with his fish-eye lens. Check it out here.
Tim and I are taking a break today from architectural icons of Melbourne and have decided to focus instead on a cultural icon.
The Moomba parade was held today and as we hadn’t been before we thought we’d see what all the fuss was about.
An hour after finding a spot to view said parade, we found out … bored children and flags.
But then the parade started and we found out what it was really about.
Colour and movement and celebrating the multicultural nature of the city we now call home.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne and her brother Stevie were crowned king and queen – a very popular choice. King Stevie was having a ball!
Here are some more images of the parade. Tim’s photos of the parade are here.
Cloud camouflage …
Eureka Tower rising above Melbourne’s Southbank … the tallest building in Melbourne, but I wonder for how long?
Tim also took a shot at the tower. You can see it here.
Melbourne is known for its laneways, and the artworks that adorn the walls of many of them.
Hosier Lane, just off Flinders St, is one of the better-known laneways, particularly for its art. While I am interested in the works done by very talented artists, I am perhaps more interested in the ways others use the laneway.
That’s what this image represents for me … the use of the laneway as a backdrop for a hiphop video being produced on a quiet Sunday morning.
Tim’s interpretation of Hosier Lane is here.
My interpretation of the Bolte Bridge is much more abstract than most of my images.
My camera just wouldn’t focus, but I thought I’d take the shot anyway. Most images of the Bolte Bridge are in sharp focus, so mine is, in a sense, an aberration.
Tim’s shot is here.
I did manage to get one in focus … I really like the stripes on the water.
The Melbourne Star revolves slowly on its unequal-star axis.
Colours pulse, change, move, are extinguished, then re-ignite the skyline.
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Here is my literal interpretation of a Melbourne icon.
See Tim’s interpretation here.
I attempted a more abstract interpretation.
‘Fed’ Square is a place where people gather – to eat, talk, listen to music/those with something to say.
The buildings that surround the square become topics of conversation too … not just for what they house, but mainly for how they look.
On this particular morning the square was empty, apart from the occasional pigeon and a security guard or two, emphasising, to my mind at least, the gathering-space nature of this place. That’s how I’ve decided to interpret today’s Melbourne icon.
Tim’s interpretation of Fed Square is here.
You can get lost in the laneways.
When you do, remember to look up …
And look in.
Tim’s interpretation of Melbourne’s laneways is here.
Musings from the cold 