Melbourne Tank Museum open day, an opportunity for photographers

Now permanently closed and opened for the one day only, the Melbourne Tank Museum provided a great excuse to stretch my photography legs and be able to take some different photos.  Australia's largest private collection of military equipment opened for one day only, 17th June 2018, to allow the public the opportunity to view machinery that is rarely seen these days.  

The open day proved to be popular with estimates of over 1000 people attending across the day.  Military enthusiasts took the opportunity to attend as did many photographers, myself included.

The low light of the indoor exhibition and the changing light of the outdoor restoration area provided a great challenge, making the whole experience so much more enjoyable.

The only real way to stretch out and improve as a photographer, is to practice.  The more you expose yourself to different conditions, the better you will become.  Of course coming up with new things to shoot and getting different ideas can be difficult at times.  Inspiration is not always at hand.

The realisation I learned from the event at the Melbourne Tank Museum is that there are always different events on around a big city.  Checking out the "what's on" guides and local event pages will provide a wealth of inspiration and a great variety of subject matters to practice your photography skills.  So next time you are running out of ideas of what to shoot, have a look at what is going on around you, get your camera out and try something different.  At the end of the day, the more you shoot, the more your skills and photography will improve.

Charlies Auto Museum on the Mornington Peninsula

Charlie's Auto Museum, Arthurs Seat, Victoria, Australia

Charlie's Auto Museum is located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and is a must for the auto enthusiast, especially if you like some of the old British and American Cars.  The address is  175 Purves Road, Arthurs Seat and is approximately an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.

Charlie opened the museum in 1988 and over the years the collection has grown to over 80 vehicles and a wide range of paraphernalia. 

Wartburg

Entry is a reasonable $15 for Adults with children $8.  A family ticket is also available for $40.  The staff are friendly and there is a cafe onsite for refreshments.  

Castrol Motor Oil Bottles

Located nearby is the Enchanted Adventure Garden which features a hedge maze and zip-line as well as the Arthurs Seat Eagle scenic gondola ride.  Make it a full day trip and enjoy some of the local wines from the numerous wineries or head down to the beach to refresh on a hot day.

Vintage MG

Ship Rock Falls Victoria Australia

Ship Rock Falls, Hoddles Creek, Victoria, Australia

On a cold and drizzly day I found myself at the Ship Rock Falls in Hoddles Creek, Victoria.   Located on Gembrook-Launching Place Road, it is wise to use GPS navigation as you can easily miss the entrance if you are not paying attention.

There is a picnic site and a very basic toilet that drops to a septic tank.  A short walk of 170 meters will bring you to the viewing platform.  From there you can see an "off track" path that will bring you closer to waterfalls.  Follow the path and you will have a choice to climb up for a closer view, or climb down for a more overall view of the falls.  

Caution: This site is not the easiest to walk around and there is very little in the way of defined tracks.  You will need some effort to get around this area.  The rocks can be very slippery, even more so when they are wet.  I thoroughly recommend having at least one other person with you in case you get into trouble.

The reward is the ability to take some great photos.  Long exposure photography with waterfalls is a must, so bring your ND filter with you to get those photos with silky water streaming over the rocks.

Ship Rock Falls, Hoddles Creek, VIC

Warburton Redwood Forest Wonder

About an hour and a half drive east from Melbourne, near the Yarra Valley, is the Warburton Redwood Forrest. 

Warburton Redwood Forest Canopy

The car park is down a small dirt road suitable for all vehicles.  Adjacent to the car park is the entrance and wondrous view of the 1476 Californian Redwood trees arranged in geometric symmetry.  Row after row of tall timber lined up perfectly has you looking in all directions, appreciative on the clever planting and majesty of nature to grow and keep these majestic pillars erect in such an order.

Dragon's Nest and the straight lines of the forest

As you walk through the forest you are greeted with the remains of woven "dragons nests" which are believed to be part of an artwork and add to the mystique of this forest.

Further down the hill as you walk through the forest are some walking tracks.  These walking tracks will take you to Cement Creek.  Bring your ND filters and there is great opportunity for photos of the creek with silky smooth water.

Cement Creek

If you like nature and want to do something different then the drive to this forest is well worth the effort.    

Tall trees

Wonderful Wandiligong

In a picturesque Valley, just down the road from Bright in the alpine region of Victoria Australia is the wonderful town of Wandiligong.  Perfect on an autumn's day you are greeted with colourful tranquillity as you drive into town.  

The town itself is quiet and still has a few buildings that resulted from the gold rush era of the 1860's.  There are walking and cycling trails that make this area perfect for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the area and the fresh mountain air.

Family fun cycling into Wandiligong. 

Around Wandiligong there are many apple orchards, of which you can purchase many varieties of fresh apples from Nightingales Alpine Produce at great prices.  The region is also well known for chestnuts.  Something to try is the chestnut soup from the Wandiful Produce Farm Shed Cafe, open only in autumn and where you can pick your own chestnuts.

Wandiful Produce Farm Shed Cafe.

If you are looking for a meal, the Wandi Pub is very popular and there are many other options just 6km down the road in Bright.  If you are on the food trail then you will revel being within the gourmet food region of Victoria with the township of Milawa, a highlight, within an hour drive where you will also locate the Brown Brothers winery.

Accommodation is can be found with many bed and breakfasts in the area or there are hotels and camping grounds in nearby Bright.  

For photographers Wandiligong is a fantastic area to be based.  The landscape is varied and stunning.  Within reach are the peaks of the Victorian alps which provide stunning vistas.  You can take photos of the rivers and waterfalls or of the bush.  Maybe the autumn colours, the historic townships or the symmetry of the vineyards, orchards, nut farms or hop growers. Light pollution is very minimal which is perfect for astro-photography.   There are so many oppportunities for amazing photos you will wish you had much much more time available.

Chestnut Trees in Wandiligong.

Beginnings

All things must have a place to start.  This blog entry is the first for my venture "A View From a Lens Photography"

Leading up to this moment, has been a lifetime of unrealised interest in photography.  All my life, I have enjoyed taking out my camera and taking photos.  Somehow, I never made the connection that with time and effort I could develop my natural inclinations into a real ability and a future.  After many months of soul searching, the "what should have been so incredibly obvious," finally revealed itself to me.  When I say "should have been obvious," it was a case that before telling anyone that I decided to take up photography professionally, I would ask them, "What is that you see that i like and enjoy?"  The top answer from everyone was, "Take photos!" 

Beginning of a new day.... Flinders, VIC, Australia

Since, awaking the giant and realising my interest, I have spent countless hours learning and practising photography.  There are so many countless hours to come, a lifetime really.  There is so much to learn and enjoy from photography, so why not take this natural interest and turn it into opportunity to do what I love.  It all makes so much sense and I have committed myself to becoming a professional photographer.

I now have my creative output.  It has taken me half a life-time to find it and I am excited for the future to come.  My passion for work has come back!  I look back at my journey so far and can see how every step has lead to this moment.  Now is the time to combine all my skills, creativity and experience to follow this new exciting path.

My intention is to be able to earn from photography and to give back by sharing my learning and experiences through these blog posts.

This venture is still largely under construction and it will grow and evolve in time.  I welcome you check out my portfolio and contact me to purchase any prints, license any images or to engage my photographic services.