green

Happy memories

/ Robert / 5 Comments

The great green glory of nature is encapsulated in the hypnotic rustle and sway of the grasses, surrounding Coate Water.

Nine years have passed since I last trod upon this pleasant land. Sadness and loss formed the backdrop of that visit. It took the wedding of a special family member and much coercing to get me to make the journey.

Time with family in celebration and basking in the warmth of friendship have made many happy memories.

In drinking deeply of the verdant oases of Swindon, Portishead and the surrounding countryside of Wiltshire and Somerset, I have renewed my love of England, country of my birth.

Invigorated and refreshed; we soon commence our return to Australia, via Italy.

Red Centre

/ Robert / 4 Comments

Red Centre

Rather than the Australian red centre, this is a detail shot of the UNSW (University of New South Wales) version.

I find the green of the yuccas to be a pleasing contrast against the terracotta coloured tiles. Also, that they appear to be standing sentinel in protection of the building. 

This was a particularly windy morning with many passersby. It was a case of snap and go to get the photo. 

The Lacquer Room

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The Lacquer Room, 1936

Grace Cossington Smith (1892 – 20 Dec 1984) Sydney, Australia. Oil on paperboard on plywood. 

Part of an exhibition of modernist artists with Margaret Preston and Georgia O’Keefe at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 
 

One Central Park

/ Robert / 6 Comments

Slowly capturing views of this growing tower, this is the east face. I like the contrast of the neighbouring sun kissed terracotta buildings against living greenery. The north and west faces can. E seen in Vertical Garden and Poetry of people and place. 
Built on the site of a brewery that was hidden from view by a high concertinaed brick wall, One Central Park rises above eateries, design studios and fashion stores located in the podium. 
The Old Clare Hotel, seen in the middle of the picture is one of the heritage buildings that have been retained as part of the 5.8 hectare site in Chippendale, Sydney. 

Protect the bandicoot 

/ Robert / 5 Comments


Blue and green

Suburban scene

Local park

What a lark

Place of fun

Or catch the sun

Baseball or cricket

Within white picket

Dogs allowed on leash

And restricted off leash

Why give a hoot?

Protect the bandicoot!

Winter feast

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I have a new regime when editing pictures for the posts here. Rather than relying on the app that came with the iPad I have taken some tips from Life In Lo Fi. 

In a nutshell I take the following steps:

  • take photographs with Cortex Cam on an iPhone 6s
  • adjust the sharpness and structure using Snapseed
  • enhance using the wand tool, apply lenses and films and set the aspect ratio in Kitcamera 

The above image is the after version of the original below. 

Afternoon heat

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  Sydney is experiencing unusually warm and humid weather for Autumn. Yesterday was no exception 30+oC and humidity in the high 80s even with cloud cover. 
This light yellow ochre painted house is one of my favourites in Leichhardt. I slowly made my way home from Norton Street yesterday afternoon.  I was struck by the vibrant and contrasting colours of the magenta flowers against the dark green trees. The hazy appearance of the picture is due to the light coming from the behind the yew. 

Reflecting on the bigger picture

/ Robert / 1 Comment

  
Nature’s reminder of the importance of the ‘how’ and the ‘why’  

Walking from Randwick shops to my office, the vibrant pink of this hibiscus attracted my attention. Quickly activating the photo app on my phone, I hoped the breeze would not move the blooms too much. Visualising hot pink against a contrasting green background with an accent of yellow, I focussed and clicked several times.
While reviewing the pictures I noticed that in editing the leaves to make the flower the star I would lose the way the sunshine catches the leaves. Instead I decided to allow the pride of the plant to draw one’s gaze to the powerhouse of the plant. 
On reflection I realised that I am often drawn to the prize without thinking about the bigger picture – focussing on the ‘what’ rather than the ‘how’ and the ‘why’.