Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Photography Holiday

It's 8 weeks until the Carnival Weekend Getaway. (Tour? Workshop? Holiday?).  

I thought I'd share some thoughts on why I'm doing this and what it's all about.  It's not too late to book.

Why Toowoomba? 

1. It has so much to offer in one location.

2. The Carnival weekend is splendid with opportunities. 

3. The parks and gardens are at their most spectacular for the Carnival.

4. There's also Parades, and Fireworks and Markets and Old Churches and Street Art and endless other things to photograph. 

5. I grew up in Toowoomba

6. My brother is co-hosting the tour with me and he still lives in Toowoomba and is a Prize Winning gardener. 

7. You get to practice a wide range of photography skills in the one (long) weekend, including macro and action and landscape and low light and fireworks. A bit of everything!

8. I've booked the most amazing, historic accommodation to make this a really special getaway. 

9. There's also a photography exhibition we will visit to inspire us on our photographic journey.

If you've been to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers before, I'd love to hear what you liked best. You can leave a comment on the blog or pop over to the Facebook page and leave a comment there. 

I'll be back with some more thoughts in a new post soon. 

While I was procrastinating...

'tis a windy winters day in Melbourne. Instead of tackling the pile of paperwork on my desk, I photographed the paper daisies near the window. It's nice to be able to connect with the wonders of nature even if it's in the nice, warm confines of my bedroom.

I did start off with a much more complex idea, but ended up liking the simplicity of these shots. The shapes and patterns and lines and shadows and subtlety of colour all work nicely for me. 

As for the actual flower... strawflower, paper daisy, everlasting, helichrysum, Xerochrysum bracteatum, Rhodanthe chlorocephala? I have no idea. I'm trying to get better at identifying the flowers I photograph, but it's a bit of a mine field. If you know what it is, please leave a comment and help me out. 

Shot on Canon 5DmkII. 100mm Macro lens. Window light. 

(now to tackle the paperwork that hasn't miraculously dispeared)

While I was walking... (Fitzroy North)

Autumn leaves, rows of trees, wedge shaped buildings, famous soup bars, views to the city and a rotunda. 
And that's just a small section of what Fitzroy North has to offer. 

(This walk was a couple of weeks ago)

Edinburgh Gardens Rotunda

One of the grooviest looking library's around. Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library.  

I don't often see this stretch of road in the morning. It's a hive of activity in the evenings so has an eery quality about it seeing is so deserted. 

Autumn leaves falling. Edinburgh Gardens. 

Avenue of Trees in Edinburgh Gardens.

While I was walking...

Glimpses of Melbourne. On the walk home from the State Library. 
I walk these roads often but they always offer something new. The seasons have a way of transforming the cityscape. I like the way the trees compliment the architecture.

La Trobe St. Hints of Physical Graffiti. Anyone agree? Anyone know what I'm talking about? lol

Carlton. Trees and architecture create winter tonal delights. 

Carlton. Something about the trees and architecture again. They were really talking to me (visually) on that day.

Sidewalk art. 

Winter tones in Carlton. 

Carlton. Just caught my eye and appealed to me. 

Oh the stories that must live in these walls! 

Almost home. Carlton North. 

State Library - Part Two

Some more favourites from hanging out at the State LIbrary in Melbourne. All of these photos were taken on the Fuji xt-2 Mirrorless Camera. 

I like the idea that the birds are playing chess. 

This guy didn't feel the cold at all! Everyone else is rugged up in layers and coats and scarves. He's not even shivering!

State Library of Victoria

This is my last Saturday off for a while. Next Saturday I start the next Level 2 - Introduction to Photography - Technical & Aesthetic at RMIT  in Melbourne (Still a couple of places if you want to join us).  Once of the activities we'll be doing is photographing the State Library, so I thought I'd head down this morning and see where the light was falling and make sure it's not covered in scaffolding like it was one other time. I ask the students to edit down to 6 of their favourite images so I limited myself to the same number.

I love the State Library. It's a fantastic building inside and out with so much to see. It's a 'must see' for any visitors to Melbourne.  I stuck to the outside of the building. Apart from the striking architecture, I'm always impressed by the 'life' and activity that goes on out the front. 

I have more favourites though so I might cheat and do another post! Oh, and I had arranged a meeting at the Cafe (Mr Tulk) but in the end no one else could make it, so it was Eggs Benny and a Bloody Mary for one.