Black-and-white in July

I haven’t done much photography in the last couple of months. I’ve been both busy and unwell, and it has rained a lot in Melbourne.

Now that I am going out more often and taking my camera with me when I do, I’ve decided to keep things interesting by developing a new photography skill. So during all of July I’ll shoot only in black-and-white.

I’ve configured my Fujifilm X-S10 camera to use the ACROS film simulation, which means the camera’s electronic viewfinder shows me everything in black-and-white. And when I import these photos in to darktable, I use Jonas Schäfer’s darktable styles that mimic Fujifilm’s simulations– specifically the ACROS one.

Here, then, is my first batch of black-and-white-only photos.

There’s roadworks happening in a nearby suburb and I wanted to see what photos I could take there, so Nadia and I walked around the area while I took some photos.

Nadia is ready to head out

Black-and-white photo of a woman standing in a hallway leading to the front door of a house. The woman is wearing a bulky waterproof coat and a baseball cap.

Cat in the driveway

Black-and-white photo of a cat standing next to some bushes and bins at the top of a driveway. The cat is looking over its shoulder at the photographer.

Hanging plant baskets on the front porch

Black-and-white photo of the front porch of a house with a tiled roof. Hanging from the edge of the roof are five alternating round and conical woven plant baskets with small plants in them.

Detour to the left

Wide-angle, black-and-white photo of a “detour” sign taken from close to the ground. The sign has been placed on the nature strip next to an intersection that has been closed off using tall wire-fence segments due to roadworks.

Twisted-metal rope

Black-and-white photo of a loop of twisted-metal rope leaning on a “road closed” sign in front of a roadworks site.

End of the detour

Wide-angle, black-and-white photo of a “detour” sign taken from close to the ground. The sign has been placed on the nature strip next to a road running through a residential neighbourhood.

Creative sign from Claudio+Marwan Residential

Black-and-white photo of a large real estate sign erected in front of a house. The sign is almost completely white with plain black, all-capital text on it. This text reads, “Just another sign (to contact us)”. Below this is a QR code and the C+M logo of Claudio+Marwan Residential real estate agents.

Tiny, wonky lighthouse in the garden

Black-and-white photo of a pebbled area at the end of a residential garden. This photo has been taken through the bars of a wrought iron fence. A few cacti and other plants are growing in this area and a couple of calf-high metallic objects have been placed along its edge. The object in the centre of the photo depicts a slightly wonky lighthouse.

Your speed is 41km/h

Black-and-white photo of an LED sign affixed to a pole along a residential street. This sign shows the speed of cars driving along this road. Text painted at the top of this sign reads, “your speed”. At the time of this photo the variable, LED-based part of this sign reads, “41”, meaning the approaching car is driving at 41 kilometres per hour.

You are under the speed limit

Black-and-white photo of an LED sign affixed to a pole along a residential street. This sign shows the speed of cars driving along this road. Text painted at the top of this sign reads, “your speed”. At the time of this photo the variable, LED-based part of this sign shows a smiley face icon, meaning the approaching car is driving under the speed limit.

Telephone and internet wires running underground

Black-and-white photo looking straight down at lines and text that have been spray-painted onto the pavement. These lines indicate where telephone and internet wires are running underground. At the very bottom of the photo frame you can see the photographer's sneakers and jeans.

No roadworks on Sunday afternoon

Black-and-white photo of a fenced-off area of a residential street. Parked within this fenced-off area is an excavator, and there are several precast concrete pipe segments lying along one side of the street.

I’m really enjoying the process of learning this new skill! I’m having to look at things in a different way and adjust my composition to accommodate the lack of colour in my photos. It is challenging and a whole lot of fun :)

Melbourne in winter

There’s always something fun happening in Melbourne. This winter we have a Ferris Wheel at Southbank.

I love Melbourne in winter

Photo taken at night through a rain-splashed window of a Ferris Wheel that’s on the other side of the river from the photographer. A circular sign in the middle of the wheel reads, “I love Melbourne” with a heart icon instead of the word “love”.

Outside Scienceworks

My niece is in town so I took her to see the Pride Month Stargayzing Show at the planetarium at Scienceworks. The show was really fun, and if you’ve never been to a planetarium before, I highly recommend a visit.

I got there a little early and managed to take a few photos outside.

Scienceworks museum in Melbourne

Photo of the front of the Scienceworks building taken on a partly overcast day.

Scienceworks museum members entry

Zoomed-in photo of the museum members entrance of the Scienceworks building. The photo has been taken through the branches of a tree.

1966 Ford Falcon XP outside Scienceworks

Side-on photo of a black muscle car parked on a street in front of a tall chain-link fence in a semi-industrial area.

Ford Falcon outside Scienceworks

Side-on, black-and-white photo of a black muscle car parked on a street in front of a tall chain-link fence in a semi-industrial area.

Bus stop at night

I walked by a bus stop on a night when I had my Fujifilm mirrorless camera with me. The advertisement space of the bus shelter was empty, making the wall look and act like a massive soft box light that illuminated the space around it – with only the yellow street light across the street providing some colour balance. Naturally, I stopped to take a few photos :)

Naked bus stop shelter at night

Black-and-white photo of a bus stop shelter at night. The illuminated wall of the shelter where an advertising poster is supposed to be installed is empty, which makes this wall look like a massive soft-box light.

Blank bus stop shelter

Photo of a bus stop shelter at night. The illuminated wall of the shelter where an advertising poster is supposed to be installed is empty, which makes this wall look like a massive soft-box light. There is motion blur on a car driving by the shelter.

No need to stop when there's no one there

Photo of a bus stop shelter at night. The illuminated wall of the shelter where an advertising poster is supposed to be installed is empty, which makes this wall look like a massive soft-box light. A bus that would otherwise stop here is driving past without slowing down which, in the photo, gives it a motion blur.

No one at the bus top

Black-and-white photo of a bus stop with a bench and a bus shelter. The photo is taken at night and the illuminated wall of the shelter where an advertising poster is supposed to be installed is empty. That makes this wall look like a massive soft-box light.

Naked bus stop shelter

Black-and-white photo of a bus stop shelter at night. The illuminated wall of the shelter where an advertising poster is supposed to be installed is empty, which makes this wall look like a massive soft-box light

[Photo walk] Around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, part 13

I’m loving my new 27mm (full-frame equivalent) prime lens!

I took only a handful of photos with it on today’s short walk though. I was having more fun talking with Nadia that I was with taking photos :)

Suburban electricity pole

Photo looking up through a gap in a tree to a wooden electricity pole holding up multiple wires.

Statue in a garden

Photo taken through a wrought iron gate of a statue in a residential garden. The statue is of a woman in traditional European dress carrying a water jug.

Colourful windmill on a fence

Photo of a colourful, decorative windmill affixed to a residential fence with a sturdy wooden stick. The windmill has wide, rounded sails made out of multi-coloured, translucent plastic in shades of blue, pink, and purple.

Establishments around the city

A couple of nice smartphone photos I took recently.

Coffee and dessert options at West Street Cafe in Hadfield

Photo of a large, transparent plexiglass display on top of a cafe counter. The shelves of this display are filled with doughnuts, croissants, and other pastries. Stacked on top of this display are take-away coffee cups of different sizes, three sizes for hot coffee and two sizes for cold coffee.

Wine display at West Footscray Wines

Black-and-white photo of three tall, wooden shelves stocked with a variety of wine bottles. These shelves are part of a wall-to-wall wine display at a wine bar.

Wine display at West Footscray Wines

Photo of three tall, wooden shelves stocked with a variety of wine bottles. These shelves are part of a wall-to-wall wine display at a wine bar.

[Photo walk] Around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, part 12

The two focal lengths I love shooting at are 27mm and 40mm.

I already have the TTArtisan AF 27mm f2.8 prime lens (41mm full-frame equivalent on my APSC-sensor camera), which I shoot with all the time.

So when TTArtisan announced the TTArtisan AF 17mm f1.8 Air prime lens (26mm full-frame equivalent), I bought it 97 minutes after I got the email :)

And it took me that long to place my order only because I was in a work meeting when the announcement email came through!

With both my favourite focal lengths now covered with a prime lens each, I am a very happy man.

Sadly, I’ve been able to take my new lens out on a walk only once, but at least I got a couple of nice photos with it.

Spray paint marks the path

Close-up photo of a patch of garden with only dirt on it. A narrow, curved path has been drawn across this dirt patch using pink spray paint, and a shallow channel has been dug across the dirt in between these markings.

Rectangular topiary

I’ve been trying to take a good photo of this tree/bush for several months now. Happily, this time I was using a lens with the exact right focal length at the exact right time of day on a very lovely day :)

Photo of an evergreen tree/bush planted in front of a house that has had its leaves at the top clipped into the shape of a three-dimensional rectangle (ie rectangular cuboid).

Just a little off the top

Photo of a long hedge running along the length of a low wall that marks the property boundary of a house. The top of this hedge has been cut so it is completely flat. However, because this type of trimming was not done regularly, the top surface of the hedge now consists of just brown twigs and no green leaves.

Get ready for the road ahead

Photo of a small, reflective, yellow-orange "road ahead" sign installed alongside a bicycle path that warns cyclists this bike path is about to intersect with a road that's designed for motor vehicles. This photo has been taken late in the day so the sign and the top of the pole are brightly lit by the setting sun while the lower part of the pole and the residential wall next to it are in shadow.

Trying out my new ND filter

I bought variable neutral-density (ND) filters for two of my camera lenses. Specifically, the Urth Variable ND2–400 Filter in two different sizes.

Sadly, I haven’t had the chance to try these out on a proper photo walk yet. All I’ve managed to do so far is test them on a short walk after work.

Still, aside from the tiny bit of vignetting at the highest density level, the results I got with them were great, and I managed to take two really nice, richly-coloured photos of objects on a bright, sunny day.

Hopefully I’ll get the chance to play around with these filters properly over the coming weeks.

So much depends…

Photo of a red, grey, and orange wheelbarrow leaning against the wall of a house. The photo is taken at sunset so the colours are rich and warm.

A very Australian problem

Close-up photo of a mailbox at the front of a residential garden. Stickers affixed to the front of the mailbox indicate that this is house 113. The upper, curved part of the mailbox is where mail carriers (affectionately called posties in Australia) will place newspapers, magazines, and other long or bulky packages. This section of the mailbox has not been used recently because there is a thick spiderweb strung across the back part of it.

Nadia, late one afternoon

A couple of photos of Nadia.

Nadia, grinning, at the gate

Photo of a a woman taken through the bars of a wrought iron gate outside a house. The woman is wearing black sneakers, blue jeans, a black t-shirt with a peachey-yellowey flower pattern on it, and black eyeglasses. The woman is holding open a small gate attached to the end of this fence.

Nadia looking off to the side

Close-up photo of a woman with long, mostly-black hair tied in a pony tail who is standing in a driveway. The woman is wearing black glasses, red flower-shaped earrings, and a black t-shirt. She is looking off camera.

[Photo walk] Around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, part 11

After being stuck in back-to-back meetings for almost the entire workday (while working from home), I decided to go for a photo walk around sunset.

Nothing to see, just a totally normal inspection

Close-up photo of an old, faded, white-coloured, metal signboard that has been nailed into an electrical pole in front of a house. A notice printed on paper that was attached to this signboard has mostly been ripped off over the years. All that is visible of the sign is the phrase “normal inspection and”.

A normal inspection was carried out

Photo of an old, faded, white-coloured, metal signboard that has been nailed into an electrical pole in front of a house. A notice printed on paper that was attached to this signboard has mostly been ripped off over the years. All that is visible of the sign is the phrase “normal inspection and”.

Keep left on the bike path

Photo of a thin, flexible-plastic sign installed in the middle of a cycling and walking path running along a residential street. The sign reads, in all capital letters, “keep left” and it is warning cyclists of the electrical pole that is in the middle of the path a couple of metres ahead. The photo is taken from an angle that shows the setting sun peeking out from around the sign.

Shattered paint on a bike and walking path

Photo of a walking path onto which a while line has been painted using road line marking paint. Something heavy has landed on this sturdy, but brittle layer of paint because the paint from one section has shattered, with chips of paint spread around the painted-on line.

Scooped right out of the hedge

Photo of a tall hedge running along a low wall that marks the boundary of a house. It appears as if a big chunk of this hedge was simply scooped out of one end of the hedge because its outer leaves are missing and you can see right through the inside of the hedge. More likely there was another tall plant growing here and this hedge grew around it. That plant has recently been removed, which is why it looks like there is a hole in the hedge.

[Photo walk] Around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, part 10

It was a lovely day today so I decided to go for a short photo walk around Merlynston Creek in Melbourne’s north.

The cactus does not fear the barbed wire

Photo looking up at the top of a tall, wooden fence on a residential street. A layer of chain link fence has been erected above the wooden fence using regularly spaced metal supports. And above that there are two stands of barbed wire strung along the very top of the metal support poles. A tall and large opuntia cactus plant (possible prickly pear?) that is growing behind this multi-layer fence is comfortably resting a segment of itself on top of the barbed wire and chain link fence, causing both of those to bend under its weight.

A quiet spot along Merlynston Creek

Photo of a green, metal park bench facing the greenery surrounding a creek that flows next to a residential neighbourhood. The spot is very quiet and peaceful on this sunny day.

Stormwater culvert that helps manage flooding on Merlynston Creek

Photo of a large, round, and currently-dry stormwater drainage culvert that crosses under a walking path. A pile of medium-sized boulders has been arranged in front of the opening so the flow of water is slowed as it exits the culvert. There is graffiti both outside and inside the culvert, including a large arrow pointing upwards that has been painted on the wall at the other side of the tunnel.

It is dark in the stormwater culvert

Desaturated photo of a large, round, and currently-dry stormwater drainage culvert. A pile of medium-sized boulders has been arranged in front of the opening so the flow of water is slowed as it exits the culvert. There is graffiti both outside and inside the culvert, including a large arrow pointing upwards that has been painted on the wall at the other side of the tunnel.

Footscray West Writers Fest 2026

Nadia was invited to speak at the ‘Poetry & Wine’ sessions at this year’s Footscray West Writers Fest, which is now in its second year of running.

Naturally, I brought my camera along and took a few photos while I was there :)

Graphic showing the Footscray West Writers Fest 2026 logo and a circular collage of black-and-white photos of the speakers at the ‘Poetry & Wine’ session.

Introduction

Thuy On kicking off the ‘Poetry & Wine’ session

Photo of poet Thuy On seated in an outdoor courtyard. She is speaking into a microphone that she is holding in her hand. Thuy is wearing a red-and-black dress with a bright-red flower fascinator in her hair.

Jaidyn Attard

Jaidyn Attart is a street poet and I actually posted a photo of one his poems back in 2024 :)

Jaidyn Attard reciting his poetry - 1

Photo of poet Jaidyn Attard standing in a wine-bar courtyard. He is reciting his poetry into a microphone that he is holding in his hand. Jaidyn is wearing a black t-shirt and brown overshirt. Jaidyn is also looking straight at the photographer taking this photo.

Nadia Niaz

Nadia Niaz getting ready to recite her poetry

Photo of poet Nadia Niaz standing at a table in a wine-bar courtyard. Nadia is sorting through some papers on the table as she prepares to read her poetry to the audience.

Nadia Niaz reciting her poetry - 1

Photo of poet Nadia Niaz standing in a wine-bar courtyard. Nadia is reciting her poetry into the microphone that is on a mic-stand in front of her. She is gesturing with her right hand while holding open her book, The Djinn Hunters, in her left hand. Nadia is wearing a black top and black jacket.

Thuy On

Thuy On reciting her poetry - 1

Photo of poet Thuy On standing in a wine-bar courtyard. Thuy is reciting her poetry into the microphone that is on a mic-stand in front of her. She is holding open one of her poetry books with her right hand. Thuy is wearing a red-and-black dress with a bright-red flower fascinator in her hair.

Random photo

Outdoor LED lighting at West Footscray Wines

Photo of an LED light globe affixed to a string of outdoor lights in a wine-bar courtyard. There are cobwebs on the light fixture and, in the background of the photo, you can see an out-of-focus mural painted on the courtyard wall.

Lili Ward

Lili Ward reciting her poetry - 1

Photo of poet Lili Ward seated in a wine-bar courtyard. Lili is reciting her poetry into the microphone that is on a mic-stand in front of her. She is reading from her poetry book, Easily Enlightened. Lili is wearing a black t-shirt that reads, "Readers and writers against the genocide".

Volunteer photographer

Footscray West Writers Fest 2026 volunteer taking a photo - 1

I like taking photos of photographers and videographers, the folks who are usually on the other side of the lens. I even have an album on Flickr with all such photos I’ve taken over the years :)

Photo of a young woman wearing grey jeans and an olive green event-branded t-shirt who is sitting on a walkway that connects at wine-bar courtyard to the main building. This photo is taken between rows of audience members seated at an outdoor poetry reading event. The woman is using a Canon DSLR camera to take a photo of the speaker who is currently reciting their poetry.

Magan Magan

Magan Magan reciting his poetry - 1

Photo of poet Magan Magan standing in a wine-bar courtyard, as seen above the heads of some audience members. Magan is reciting his poetry into the microphone that is on a mic-stand in front of him. Magain is wearing a black t-shirt and brown wool cap, and he is reading from the smartphone he is holding in his hands.

[Photo walk] Spring Street #1

I attended a business lunch near Parliament House in Melbourne, so afterwards I walked up to it took a few photos.

Free Palestine, at the tram stop outside Parliament House in Melbourne

Black-and-white photo of the sidewalk at a tram stop. Graffiti written in chalk on the wall of this sidewalk reads, “Free Palestine”.

Photo and video projects in progress on the steps of Parliament House

Photo of a large stonework building with tall pillars and a very set of stairs across the front. Several people are sitting and standing on these stairs. In the foreground of the photo are a bride, groom, and bridesmaid who are having their photos taken. Next to them is a film crew that has paused filming while the wedding photo group relocates to a different section of the building. In the background, at the top of the steps, in another photographer taking a photo of someone standing on the steps.

Talent and crew ready for the next take

Photo of an actress in a black, formal outfit and maroon high heels standing on the inclined driveway that leads up to the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne. In the foreground is a camera operator holding his camera on a self-stabilising gimbal at knee height as he prepares to video the talent as she walks up to the building. This photo is taken through the gap between the pillars of the stone banister that lines the driveway.

Actress ready for the next take

Photo of an actress in a black, formal outfit and maroon high heels standing on the inclined driveway that leads up to the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne. She is waiting for the director to call, “Action!” before walking up the driveway. This photo is taken through the gap between the pillars of the stone banister that lines the driveway.

Camera operator filming

Photo of a camera operator holding his camera on a self-stabilising gimbal at knee height as he shoots his video. This photo is taken through the gap between the pillars of a stone banister.

Escalator down to Town Hall Station in Melbourne

Black-and-white photo looking down at a bank of escalators leading to an underground train station. The escalators are empty, but the legs of one traveller are visible in the top-right corner of the photo.

Melbourne Pride March 2026, part 3

Finally, here my photos of some of the dogs at Melbourne’s Midsumma Pride March 2026 :)

Tiny puppy

Photo of a tiny, tan-and-white puppy straining on a leash in a grassy field. The puppy is only slightly taller than the ankle of the person it is standing next to. A small Progress Pride flag has been attached to its leash.

Dog playing fetch

Photo of a medium-sized, brown-and-white dog wearing a baseball cap. The dog is walking across a grassy field as it carries a stick back to its owner.

Fluffy white dog

Photo of a small, fluffy, white dog with lots of pride paraphernalia attached to it. The dog is being walked on a lead across a grassy field.

Fluffy white assistance dog

Photo of a small, fluffy, white dog wearing an assistance-dog harness and a poofy, colourful skirt. A rainbow pride flag has been attached to the dog's harness. The dog is being walked on a blue leash that has an “assistance dog” label on it. The dog and its owner are walking across a grassy field.

Pride noodle

Photo of a greyhound dog wearing a rainbow-coloured sweater is being walked on a yellow leash across a grassy field before Melbourne Pride March 2026.

Fluffy backpack dog

Photo of a fluffy, white, medium-sized dog in a backpack. The backpack is being work by a man in a bright orange t-shirt with the Commission for Children and Young People logo on it. The man has a Progress Pride flag sticker on his cheek.

Fluffy white dog in a backpack

Photo of a fluffy, white, medium-sized dog in a backpack. The backpack is worn by a man in a bright orange t-shirt. Next to the man is a woman wearing a rainbow-heart-themed tie-dye t-shirt, with rainbow paint on her cheek and a rainbow hair tie.

Enjoying the event from a distance

Photo of a woman and her large, white dog sitting calmly in a children's play area close to the start of Melbourne Pride March 2026. The dog is looking off-camera at the crowd of people preparing to march.

Melbourne Pride March 2026, part 2

Here are my photos of some of the marchers at Melbourne’s Midsummer Pride March 2026.

The kids are alright

Photo of dozens of teenagers holding pride signs getting ready to march at Melbourne Pride 2026. Signs include, “Bi, shy & ready to cry”, “Non-binary & proud”, and “Lesbians are lovely”.

This is pride at work

Photo of a placard being held by employees from Seek as they march at Melbourne Pride 2026. The placard reads, in bright-pink, all-caps lettering, “this is pride at work”.

RACV Pilot Service car

Photo of a bright yellow 1967 Morris Mini Deluxe car with “RACV Pilot Service” painted on it. The car is being driven along the Melbourne Pride March route by a woman in a bright pink t-shirt and a rainbow-coloured feather boa around her neck. A woman in the passenger seat, who is wearing a bright blue t-shirt, is smiling a she looks straight at the photographer taking this photo.

All-sparkly

Photo of two women in red and purple sparkly, strappy dresses and rainbow-coloured headpieces marching at Melbourne Pride March 2026.

Rainbow earrings

Photo of a woman smiling while marching at Melbourne Pride March 2026. The woman is wearing a blue RACV t-shirt and rainbow earrings.

Melbourne Pride March 2026, part 1

I didn’t spend as much at time as I wanted at this year’s Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne, but I did get a few good photos.

There are my general photos and photos of some of the kids there. Coming up after this are my photos of marchers and dogs :)

From Paris to Melbourne

Zoomed-in photo of a man wearing rainbow coloured sneakers and rainbow coloured socks with an outline of the Eiffel Tower on them. The man is standing in a grassy field alongside other people and a black-and-white dog.

Kinetic’s Pride Bus

Photo of a man wearing a rainbow jacket attaching a rainbow flag to a city bus that's been painted in rainbow colours. A heart shaped sign attached to the front windscreen reads, “You are loved”.

Riding along

Photo of a young girl in pink-and-blue clothes, with long, light-pink coloured hair extensions in two braids, riding on the shoulders of a person walking through the crown at Melbourne Pride 2026. Slightly out of focus, and in the background on the photo, is a large Progress Pride flag.

Having an important conversation

Photo of two toddlers sitting near a crowd of people who are preparing to march at Melbourne Pride 2026. One of the girls is pointing her finger at something while explaining something to the other girl. A slightly older boy who is walking nearby is looking at this exchange with a smile on his face.

Unicorn toddler

Photo of a small child sitting in a stroller while wearing a rainbow-coloured unicorn-horn headband.

Stepping up to take a photo

Photo of a young man in a purple t-shirt standing on something so he can raise himself well above the spectators and supporters lining the Melbourne Pride March route. The man has a phone in his hand is taking a photo or video of the group that is marching by.

Cleaning up after the crowds

Photo of a man in the section of a large, grassy, sports field that is now empty of people. The man is wearing a high-visibility vest and blue, plastic gloves. He is picking up fallen bits of pride-march costumes and is packing them into a very large garbage back. In the far background are marchers who have not yet started marching at Melbourne Pride March 2026.

It is cool to see how much I’ve improved as a photographer since 2023 (part 1, part 2), which is when I last took my mirrorless camera (Fujifilm X-S10) to Pride to take photos.

Because I got almost everything right in-camera, this year’s photos are brighter and cleaner, and I’ve had to do far less cropping and post-processing on them.

Also, because I now know how to use my camera’s burst modes properly, this year I missed far fewer “moments” and expressions that I wanted to capture.

The difference in skill is even more stark when you look back at the photos I took in 2020 (with my Google Pixel 3XL phone) or, heck, my photos from as far back as 2010 (with my Canon IXUS 80 IS). Though to see those 2010 photos you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of my ‘Melbourne Pride March’ album of Flickr.

So yay for experience and, of course, better cameras and lenses!

[Photo walk] Little Collins Street, Melbourne #1

It’s been a while since I did a photo walk in the city, so today I grabbed my trusty 40mm prime lens and walked a few blocks down Little Collins Street.

It was a hot, sunny, 30 degree day, but it was quite pleasant in the shade. And not only did I get a couple of decent photos, I also got to check out a half-assembled film set, which was fun :)

Fonz electric motorcycle parked in the corner on Little Collins Street

Photo of a dark green, classic Italian style, electric motorcycle parked on the pavement outside a building.

Things are looking bright for this Fonz electric motorcycle

Photo of a dark green, classic Italian style, electric motorcycle parked on the pavement outside a building. The font of the motorcycle is in shadow of the building, but the back is brightly lit by the sun.

After-hours at Five Points Cafe on Little Collins Street

Photo through the shop window of a stack of paper coffee cups stacked neatly next to a coffee machine in a cafe. The ‘Five Points’ wordmark is stamped on each coffee cup.

Ready for the night shoot with this lantern soft box mounted on a crane

Photo looking up at a powerful cinema light mounted on a crane. The light is covered by a large, lantern-shaped soft box, which is a box made out of white cloth that softens the light that's coming from the LED bulbs.

I don’t know which movie is being filmed here, but I do know what city Melbourne is standing in for today

Photo of a white Ford sedan parked on the side of a narrow city road in Melbourne, Australia that will eventually become a film set. An orange crane with cinema lights mounted on top of it is parked behind this car. There are lights on top of this car that identify it as an American police vehicle. Blue stickers pasted on the car read, “NYPD Police”.

[Photo walk] Around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, part 9

Nadia and I have been enjoying our time off during the year-end break, going on walks around various parts of the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Nadia at a community football pitch

Close-up photo of the back and side of a woman’s head and shoulders. The woman is wearing a black hoodie and a cyan 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup cap. Out of focus, in the background of the photo, is a neighbourhood football pitch.

Nadia looking out over a community football pitch

Photo of the back and side of a woman’s head and shoulders. The woman is wearing a black hoodie and a cyan 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup cap. Out of focus, in the background of the photo, is a neighbourhood football pitch.

Plane spotter waiting patiently in the Essendon Fields Airport flight path

Photo of the valley of a suburban river with a rail bridge crossing over it. A plane spotter is leaning against a wire fence that runs down the decline of the valley. A camera mounted on a tripod in set up in front of him.

Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge

Photo of a railway viaduct built across a creek’s valley and flood plain. The viaduct comprises steel girders supported by steel-framed towers. Behind the viaduct is the residential suburb of Gowanbrae.

Top of a Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge tower

Photo of the top of a steel-frame tower that is supporting a rain bridge, also built out of steel girders.

Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge on a bright day

Photo of a railway viaduct built across a creek’s valley and flood plain. The viaduct comprises steel girders supported by steel-framed towers. Behind the viaduct is the residential suburb of Gowanbrae.

Looking up at the Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge

Photo of a railway viaduct built across a creek’s valley and flood plain. The viaduct comprises steel girders supported by steel-framed towers.

Looking up along a tower of the Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge

Photo looking up along the length of a steel-frame tower that is supporting a rain bridge, also built out of steel girders.

Police helicopter over Strathmore Heights

Photo looking up at a blue-and-white Victoria Police helicopter hovering in the air above a residential suburb. Several tree branches and leaves can be seen in the foreground of the photo.

Walking her dog along Moonee Ponds Creek Trail

Photo of a woman walking a black dog along a trail that runs alongside a suburban river.

The Glenroy side of the Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge

Photo looking up, along an incline, at a railway viaduct built across a creek’s valley and flood plain. The viaduct comprises steel girders supported by steel-framed towers.

Riding a toy sled down a walking path

Photo of a young boy riding a wheeled children’s sled down a cemented walking/cycling path that descends into a suburban valley.

About to fall off a toy sled because he was going too fast

Photo of a young boy riding a wheeled children’s sled down a cemented walking/cycling path that descends into a suburban valley. The boy is leaning hard to one side so that he can follow the sharp curve of the path.

Walking path up Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve

Photo of a walking/cycling path that goes up a suburban valley. The path is surrounded by trees on both sides. In the background of the photo a railway bridge can be seen crossing the valley.

Walking path at Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve

Photo of a walking/cycling path that goes up a suburban valley. The path is surrounded by grass and trees. By the side of the path is a hairpin-turn sign for cyclists. In the background of the photo a railway bridge can be seen crossing the valley.

Moonee Ponds Creek Viaduct Rail Bridge from Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve

Photo of a railway viaduct built across a creek’s valley and flood plain, which is the Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve. The viaduct comprises steel girders supported by steel-framed towers. Behind the viaduct is the residential suburb of Gowanbrae.

Nadia keeping an eye on her surroundings as she takes a photo

Photo of the back of a woman holding up her smartphone to take a photo. The woman is looking to her left to make sure she isn’t in the path of a cyclist. Her long, black hair is in a ponytail and she is wearing a brown sweatshirt and a cyan 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup cap. In front of her are the trees and bushes growing along the side of a suburban valley.

Straight stretch of walking path at Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve

Low-angle photo of a walking/cycling path that goes up a suburban valley. At the end of this long stretch of path is a hairpin-turn sign for cyclists.

Turtles in a large pond

Photo of several brown turtles swimming along the banks of a large pond.

Turtle poking its head out of a pond

Photo of a brown turtle swimming in a pond, with its head poking out of the water.

Two turtles in a pond

Photo of two brown turtles swimming in a pond, one with its head poking out of the water and the other swimming completely underwater.

[Photo walk] Walking around the city and suburbs, part 2

Here are some photos I took in the southern, eastern, and northern suburbs of Melbourne over the last couple of weeks.

Someone had a good night last night in St Kilda, Melbourne

Photo of an almost completely empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey lying on a stone wall around a public park in a suburb of Melbourne.

Arrow “head” mailbox and newspaper slot

Photo of a triangular, bare metal mailbox outside a house. The mailbox looks like a creature’s head, complete with holes for eyes and the mail slot as its mouth.

Grumpy arrow “head” mailbox and newspaper slot

Photo of a triangular, bare metal mailbox outside a house. The mailbox looks like a creature’s head, complete with holes for eyes and the mail slot as its mouth.

Train waiting at the elevated Murrumbeena railway station

Photo looking up, through the leaf-filled branches of a tree, to an elevated train track and train station platform. A blue, silver, and yellow coloured train has stopped at this platform.

Underneath the elevated Murrumbeena railway station

Photo looking down the length of a pair of elevated train tracks being held up by massive concrete pillars. This area under the tracks is a parking lot, which is almost full of parked cars.

Facilities for humans and their dogs at Murrumbeena railway station

Photo of a stone bench around next to some bushes underneath an elevated train station. Next to the bench is a metal drinking-water fountain. On the floor, next to the fountain, is a bright blue water bowl for dogs.

Part of the Frogtopia mural by Anthony Breslin next to Murrumbeena railway station

Photo of a vibrantly coloured mural showing fantastical characters that resemble frogs, flies, and other insects. These characters are taken from Anthony Breslin’s children's book Brezania.

Part of the Frogtopia mural by Anthony Breslin next to Murrumbeena railway station

Photo of a vibrantly coloured mural showing fantastical characters that resemble frogs, flies, and other insects. These characters are taken from Anthony Breslin’s children's book Brezania.

Traffic light on Murrumbeena Road, directly underneath Murrumbeena railway station

Photo looking straight up along the pole of a traffic light that’s located underneath an elevated railway station.

Bench outside Murrumbeena railway station

Photo taken from the seat level of an outdoor bench at the intersection of two suburban streets.

Bank of Australia Post post office boxes

Black-and-white photo of over a dozen post office boxes, each with an embossed Australia Post logo, a keyhole, and a PO box number.

Had a collision, but didn't need to call the cops?

Photo of a sticker on the back of a sign that's on a bicycle path. This bicycle path is about to cross a suburban road. The sticker contains and QR code and text that reads, “Had a collision, but didn’t need to call the cops? Report it to Merri-bek Council! It takes 1 minute and helps identify hot spots. Scan me.”

Share the love of gardening

Photo of a two large plastic bottles filled with a dark liquid and a few small plants in plastic pots placed on top of a residential wall. A hand painted sign on what looks like a wooden chopping board reads, “Share the love of Gardening. Please take”, followed by a smiley face.