Friday 30 September 2011

The Old Post Office, Newcastle, NSW



I took this at this angle to capture the brilliant architectural style of the old Newcastle Post Office but also to raise above the security fencing surrounding the building as it is refurbished.

A 3 exposure HDR.

The Lock Up, Cultural Centre, Newcastle

'The Lock-up' is a multi-faceted cultural centre encorporating the recently refurbished lock-up Museum (1861-1982), historical information and relics relating to the penal history of Newcastle, the john paynter gallery (an artist-run space), an artist-in-residence programme (accommodation for visiting national and international artists) and an Education Centre (programmes for school excursion groups).

I haven't been inside yet but the wonderful sandstone architecture looked brilliant this night bathed in the light from the street lamps.

A 3 exposure HDR and processed in Picturenaut and PS Elements.

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Athcourt Lane, Newcastle, NSW

Newcastle offers many unique small laneways in its CBD area that are just begging for someone to record! Newcastle architecture is unique in that it spans from the late 1800s up to modern day high rise unit blocks. There is some great stuff waiting for me out there!

I am very happy with the way this has turned out! The dark and light side meeting right on the corner, the texture of the bricks. The corner has a slight bend as it ascends because I used my wide angle on it.

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The Old Post Office, Newcastle, NSW

A 3 exposure HDR photo. The Old Post Office was built on the site of the old Court House which was demolished in 1900; the Post Office was opened in 1903 and closed in 2001. The building was designed by the Government architect Walter Liberty Vernon. It has lain dormant basically since its closure in 2001 and suffered greatly from water ingress, pidgeons and, vandalism. It was purchased a couple of years ago by the NSW Government with a view to refurbishment and lease to interested parties. One of the ideas for its modern day use is for lounge bars, and a range of food and beverage uses, such as a wine cellar and tasting area or an area for provedores of Hunter district produce. Due to renovations, it is surrounded by security fencing. I managed to get this photo by sticking the end of the lens through a hole in the wire!

I have recently joined Google +. Although I am also on Facebook, I find Google + is much better for photography in that I can upload larger photos, and the resolution is so much better than FB. Check it out and follow my link here. If you are on Google+ add me to your circle and I will reciprocate. Mind you, I will never forsake Flickr!!

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Saturday 10 September 2011

My Dads’ Camera

 

My Dads Camera.

This is where my interest probably got started. Dad did all his own film processing and printing.

This is his Voigtlander Bessa II bellows camera with accessories.

Dads Camera and Accessories #1

The item on the left is a separate viewfinder. The Viewfinder on the camera was very small and did not line up the subject very well. The separate viewfinder had to be used with both eyes open as the viewfinder was not transparent! The free eye would view the subject whilst the other (looking through the viewfinder) would view broken or unbroken lines which formed a rectangle that indicated the edge of the 'frame'. In a weird way, the subject could be seen within the frame. The other item on the right was used for calculating distance. Looking through the small hole, the photographer would see 2 images; one clear and the other a ghost. The dial would be turned to bring both images together. When this happened, the distance would be indicated on the dial and the camera set accordingly. 

The camera is still in wonderful condition. I would love to put a roll of film through it but I can't seem to get the 120 film it required.

  Jordy

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Something I discovered yesterday!

Found this yesterday through the Digital Photography School site. Using the geotagged data on Flickr Photos, it puts them on a Google Map and provides the embed and link codes so that they can be used in blogs or websites. It links in to photos within a Flickr users Sets but can also be used for individual photos.

Thursday 1 September 2011

Painting, painting and yes…..more painting!


I have to say that I don’t mind painting.   I love to stand back and look at the finished product, proud of my effort!   However, I hate the preparation and clean up afterwards!   Moving furniture, sanding, washing down walls, filling small holes, cleaning brushes, rollers……I wonder if there would be a profit in pre painted gyprock?
Kim & I have been hard at it now for the last 2 months.   We started painting the inside of the house shortly after our kitchen renovation was complete.   That was nearly 2 years ago!   Ok  ok…..we had a little break, but we have taken it up again with gusto and are now down to 2 bedrooms and the study left to finish.
1 of the 2 bedrooms left should be completed tomorrow [cross fingers!] and our main bedroom and study hopefully in the next 2 weeks in between my shifts.   It has been a long plod, but will be entirely worth it once it is done.
We have also got rid of the bloody ‘orrible looking beige vertical blinds and are gradually replacing them with white shutter blinds, [which are simply venetians with a much wider blade – they look awesome!].
Once the inside is finished, we have some cleaning to do!   Sanding down surfaces has a tendency to send clouds of fine white dust throughout the house.  We have not bothered to dust for a while because it is a lost cause until the painting is finished!
I am going to have to give some consideration to the outside of the house.   When a house is built, the painting is almost an afterthought; it’s never actually a great job is it?!    Our house is only about 7 years old and the outside paint has really faded.   The next project looms ahead!
Oh well….what else would I be doing if I wasn’t painting?      Well….there’s….my photography, guitar, walking, running, pushbike, the beach………..
Hope you’re all well.
Jordy

Catching up.

 Well it has been a couple of months since I posted a Blog article.   I don't have any Project or roll of film in particular to share wi...