Boxed in /  by Mario Mirabile

Brighton is the most up-market bayside suburb in Melbourne, and the prized real estate is not restricted to the streets running down to the pleasant shores of Port Phillip. On the beach at the end of Dendy Street, you'll find the Brighton bathing boxes. This colourful row of tiny buildings has become a photographic icon. While similar structures are scattered around the bay, these are the closest and most accessible to central Melbourne. The leasehold on the superbly located boxes rarely changes hands, and when one does come on the market, it is highly sought after. They change hands for more than it would cost to buy a house in some suburbs.

Over the years, they have been photographed from every conceivable angle. I have shots from the front, back, far away and nearby. However, I recently saw a shot from a perspective I hadn't seen before. Intrigued, I rode my bike down one afternoon to look for the vantage point from which it might have been taken. I found a likely spot along the foreshore, but the original must have been taken years ago as the tea tree had grown taller and now obscured the view.

Undeterred, I returned on a day when the light looked promising. The tea tree was still there, but I thought I might get a better angle if I could get over the low cyclone wire fence which separated the footpath from the steep slope down to the beach. It cost me a torn pair of trousers, but I did manage to get a view around the trees. I like a lot of things about this shot, but the crowd on the beach isn't one of them. I plan to return on a quieter day.

Tech Talk
It was a last minute decision to come down and try to get this shot, but the location isn't too far from home. I knew I'd need a long lens, so I took the Zuiko 50-200mm, a lens I've waxed lyrical about before. It doesn't look like it, but it's nearly 12 kilometres from the boxes to the city as the crow flies. I knew I wanted to keep both the boxes and city skyline in focus, so the anticipated f8 aperture mandated a tripod as well. The fence I had to get over was just low enough to straddle with some difficulty, otherwise I wouldn't have got the shot. I'm a bit past climbing chain-link fences.

When I return, I'll make sure I have more time to set up. This image really calls for a panoramic shot, so setting up the tripod properly for the panoramic sweep is important.  Both the base and head need to be level for best alignment of the component images. Also, the best light, with the setting sun on both the city buildings and bathing boxes, only lasts a few minutes, so it pays to be ready.

Olympus E-5, Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD. Two shot stitched panorama.

How orchid /  by Mario Mirabile

Orchids are among the most widespread and diverse flowering plants. In their natural state, they come in a bewildering array of beautiful forms, and human intervention has further added to the variety. Orchid growers and breeders enthusiastically pursue the dream of developing a new variety, or just growing the perfect bloom. 

The Melbourne Orchid spectacular is an annual event that allows local growers to strut their stuff. A photographic and painting exhibition is run in conjunction with the show, so you can participate even if you don't have a green thumb. It's also a great photographic opportunity. There's no objection to wandering around with camera and tripod snapping the prize winning blooms, but there a still challenges to overcome. The backgrounds are generally a mix of wandering patrons, other flowers and various parts of the hangar like building which houses the show. Not ideal for showing the orchids at their best in a photo (nothing a little Photoshop can't overcome...), but it's not often you get a chance to shoot such an array of amazing flowers.

Tech Talk
The Zuiko Digital 50mm f2 macro is one of the original lenses introduced as part of the Four Thirds system, and is widely acknowledged as one of the sharpest lenses in the system. While it's a bit slow to autofocus, the images it produces, either as a macro or short portrait lens, can be spectacular. The greatest strength of Four Thirds has always been the glass, and this little prime is one of the stars.

Olympus E-5, Zuiko Digital 50mm f2 macro, tripod, cable release.

No more stamps /  by Mario Mirabile

Melbourne's GPO - the General Post Office - was once located in the beautiful Victorian era sandstone building at the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets. Built in an era when form mattered as much as function in public buildings, it was quite an experience to queue for a stamp in the cavernous and ornate postal hall.The post office has since moved to a soulless modern building just up the road, and the old structure now houses up-market boutiques and eateries.

It was long considered the centre of Melbourne, and in fact all roadside mile posts were measured from the GPO. It was always a prominent landmark and popular meeting place, and that hasn't changed, despite its new function. The plinths of its many columns, and its broad steps provide welcome resting places for locals and travelers alike. And it's not too far to walk if you still need a stamp. 

Tech Talk
Not a lot going on here. Some simple shots with some of my older, but still eminently capable gear - the Olympus E-30 and Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5.

All aboard /  by Mario Mirabile

It was a perfect day for our lunchtime photo walk – sunny and balmy. The only problem was I had no idea what to set for a topic. I dismissed a couple of suggestions which I thought would be too hard in the time available, and was still struggling to come up with something as we left the building. I decided we'd just jump on the first train leaving Southern Cross Station regardless of destination (this is probably not a bad idea for a future trip as well),  and hope for inspiration. It was headed for Flinders Street Station, and as it pulled out I decided on "arches" as a topic, something of which Flinders street has plenty.

We arrived at Flinders street and descended into the subway which connects the platforms. We were wandering around snapping when we were bailed up by an employee and asked - not unkindly - if we had permits. Protesting our ignorance of this requirement, we were directed to the Station Master's office to obtain this important accreditation. With permit and visitors passes in our possession, we strode around like we owned the place. Flinders Street station is full of possibilities, and as the permit is valid for 60 days, I'm sure I'll be back to explore the myriad nooks and crannies further

Tech Talk
Still using the E-3-0 DSLR which has become my walk around camera. on this occasion I swapped out the 12-60mm for the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5. This lens was my first upgrade when I got into the Olympus E System,and although its range is fully encompassed by the 12-60mm, I've kept it around. It's smaller, but very nearly as sharp, and my ring flash bayonets straight on to the lens cap mount. A nice little all round performer.

Up and down /  by Mario Mirabile

I wish I had more flexibility in getting to interesting places to take pictures. Work and other commitments mean that sometimes you just have to look around more carefully for interesting subjects. Sometimes all it takes is raising or lowering your eyes. Interesting objects, shapes and patterns can be at your feet or over your head. And don't expect that just because there was nothing to catch your eye in a place one day, that the same place may not offer better prospects at  other times. Patterns of light change with the sun, the wind can sculpt a dandelion and clouds turn a flat blue sky into a sculpted art.

If you can't get to Venice or Uluru today, then look up, look down or look around. Just look.

Tech Talk
The Olympus E-30 and Zuiko Digital 12-60 f2.4-5 have been a fixture in my work bag of late. A versatile and reasonably compact walk around combo, the 12-60mm even has decent close-focus capabilities.

Land of the giants /  by Mario Mirabile

Land of the giants was a 60s television sci-fi series where a band of travellers were stranded in a world populated by 20 metre tall people. The acting and scripting was bad, the effects cheesy. Despite all that, I eagerly awaited and devoured each new weekly episode. I was, after all, only 11 or 12 years old at the time.

What has that got to do with anything? Well, our current camera club weekly competition topic is "miniatures". I really had no idea on how to proceed with this. The best I could come up with was a model boat,  a miniature dog breed or perhaps a macro shot of some sort. But during the week, a simple search of something called Google by a colleague (thanks Jason), set me thinking on a different track. This is the result, and it reminds very much of the set design aesthetic of Land of the Giants, although , needless to say, its executed to a much higher standard. 

And the dog? That's Boo, the miniature Schnauzer. Cute, isn't she?

Tech Talk
Land of the Giants was shot with my Olympus E-30 and Zuiko Digital 12-60mm SWD, Boo with the Olympus E-5 and Zuiko Digital 50-200mm SWD. The real fun was in setting up the giants shot. 

The little camera was a commemorative miniature OM-1 Olympus produced for the release of the first OM-D model. I'd left it unopened until recently in the hope it might me worth something someday, but so many were made and given away that there was little chance of that. It was the perfect foil for the huge Zuiko Digital 25-100 f2.0. Lighting was provided by a pair of small home-made soft boxes and Olympus FL-50r flashes.

Winter sun /  by Mario Mirabile

Even in the depths of winter the sun will occasionally show its face to relieve the gloom. Full sunlight in mid-summer is harsh and hard, but it's a different story in mid-winter. The angle of the light is lower, and it has a softer, watery quality about it that makes it seem like it's coming through a diffuser. Even the colour is different - more blue than summers' hard white.

All too quickly we were back to gloomier weather, but the brief glimpse of the sun is a gentle reminder that spring is not far away.

Tech talk
Just a few snaps from a brief walk in East Melbourne. Olympus E-30 and the stunning Zuiko Digital 12-60mm. The lens has a versatile 24-120mm equivalent zoom range, reasonably fast f2.8-4 aperture, focuses quickly and accurately, and is super sharp. If I was forced to keep only one lens, this would be the one due to its versatility. Fortunately, no-one is forcing that decision on me.

Geometry lesson /  by Mario Mirabile

Geometry is the branch of mathematics dealing with shape, size, space and position. Interestingly enough, all of these are also elements that can be used in artistic composition. From the simplest to the most complex, the geometric elements of a photo can play a multitude of roles. 

Lines can lead the eye where the artist chooses, divide a picture into discrete areas or create boundaries which constrain and bind the the various elements of the compositions. Shapes can frame the subject, or like the line, compartmentalize the image. Occasionally, they may even become the main focus of the image. Oh, and as always, don't forget to choose the right angle for your shot.

Tech Talk
Melbourne's Etihad Stadium has an almost endless selection of nooks and crannies to explore. Catch it on a cold winter day and there won't be too many people to get in the way of the architecture.

Olympus E-30, Zuiko Digital 14-60 f2.8-4.0 .

Winter blues /  by Mario Mirabile

There's a park near home which is notable in being the only place that I've seen one of my favourite birds locally - the superb fairywren (Malurus cyaneus). At their most striking in summer when the males develop stunning blue and black breeding plumage, they are nevertheless attractive little creatures in their winter clothes. Even then, the males keep some blue in their tails, while the females' red-orange mask is a year round feature.

Sunday was as perfect a winter's day as you'd expect to see, and a total contrast to the wild weather of the preceding few days. As I hadn't been out all week, I thought I'd wander down to the park to see if there was any birding action on offer. I was surprised at the number of superbs hopping around in the grass feeding.  I even spotted a male in breeding plumage, but couldn't get near enough for a good shot. There were a few red-browed finches (Neochmia temporalis) about as well, a species I've only seen here once before. Hopefully it bodes well for the local bird population later in the year.

Tech Talk
Bird photography usually call for a long lens. My 50-200mm is a wonderful zoom, fast and sharp, even wide open at f3.5 at the long end. It is one is truly one of the gems in the Olympus Four Thirds system. But even with a 2x crop giving the equivalent of 400mm at the long end, it's not nearly long enough for these small birds in the wild. To try getting more reach with this lens, I picked up a 2x tele-converter a couple of years ago at a bargain price. I also had hopes of pairing it with the exceptional 150mm f2.0, if I could ever find one (I'm still looking.....) .

I did some tests with it on the 50-200 when I first got it and quickly dismissed it as not sharp enough. I ignored the teleconverter for the best part of a year, but pulled it out recently, did some more careful testing, and was quite pleasantly surprised with the results. This combination demands good light. With the tele-converter attached, the aperture starts at f7 at the long end of the zoom, and you need to stop down to f8 or smaller to get good results. It lacks the biting crispness of the lens on its own, but it's still a reasonable combination if the conditions are right.

Olympus E5, Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 zoom, Zuiko Digital EC-20 tele-converter.

Winter daze /  by Mario Mirabile

I've been struggling for inspiration over the last few weeks. Perhaps it's the all too short and chill days of midwinter, perhaps it's the head cold which has been threatening for a while and has finally started to develop. I'm sure the fact that I haven't had too many chances to wander far from home or work, and thus been confined to well trodden paths, has  been a factor. Whatever t is, it's been a quiet few weeks photographically.

Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me too often over the next couple weeks. I'll post if I think I have something worthwhile, but I won't try to keep up the established twice-weekly schedule. My enthusiasm for the blog hasn't waned, but I feel like I need a breather. In the meantime I'll leave you with a few shots from recent lunchtime group walks. The themes were "stripes" and "blue". It's not too hard to figure out which is which.

Sunday blues /  by Mario Mirabile

The Elwood Blues Club is a weekly happening that transforms the bar of the Greyhound Hotel in St. Kilda into a blues venue. Every Sunday night, 'Salty' Dennis Trevarthen presents an ever changing line-up of established performers and new and emerging talent. On this occasion Dan Dinnen and Greg Dodd were the headline with, as usual, several sets by the EBC Allstars house band rounding out the night's entertainment.

To top it all off, it's free to get in - great entertainment and great value. If you're into the blues, get along and have a look.

Tech Talk
The lighting at this venue is better than the last one I tried band photography at, but is a challenge nevertheless. It helps that the venue, promoter and musicians are very photographer friendly and you're free to move around looking for the best angles.

I used my Zuiko Digital 35-100mm f2 lens for the gig. It's a monster of a lens, particularly with the hood attached, but it's hard to imagine a better lens for this type of shoot. It's sharp wide open, and the fast aperture helps overcome some of the high ISO limitations of my gear. I was managing to get around 1/250 second which helped catch some of the more active performers, but even so you still end up with far more misses than hits.