As regular readers of this blog may have gathered, I have developed a love of night time photography. This photograph of Melbourne at night was taken when I visited the city a couple of months ago.
The picture was taken from my hotel’s roof garden at about 10pm. The hotel was sat on the fringes of the suburb of Richmond, where it meets with the Central Business District.
I like the fact you look directly onto a suburban street but the brights lights of the city centre and Federation Square, Melbourne’s main meeting place, can be seen in the distance.
The camera was mounted on a gorilla pod on a safety rail on the edge of the roof. The exposure time was set for six seconds, hence the blurring of passing traffic.
I like this picture and the mixture of bright lights and differing architecture, but what was going on up in the sky behind me was much more interesting. Â While on the roof garden I looked up towards the south east and I could see the Southern Cross constellation very clearly.
I can see why it features on both the Australian and New Zealand flags because it really is a sight to behold. It was certainly a powerful reminder that I was thousands of miles away from my family.
To my great surprise, however, the constellation of Orion was visible slightly to the north west. Â I didn’t think that would be possible in the southern hemisphere.
I’ve linked this photo to the #MySundayPhoto linky, a brilliant blogging and photography linky hosted by the Photalife.com blog. I had planned to link up an entirely different picture taken yesterday in the Cotswolds but it was such a grey day every image I took was equally grey! This one is much more colourful.
22 thoughts on “Melbourne at night”
Brilliantly captured. I always live time delay photos and especially when they capture streaks of light like this!
Time delay images an be great when they come off. Trust me, I have many rejects from when they’ve gone wrong!
Gorgeous shot, John. What a fantastic backdrop and I really love the blurring of the car. I’d love to give that a try one day. #MySundayPhoto.
It took me a good few attempts ot earn how to do the blurring. In fact yesterday I weas at a race track trying to photograph moving cars but it just didn’t work. the different conditions clearly need very different settings on the camera. Hope I’ll crack it in the end.
Hi John, I love the contrast and definition of the background buildings to the bright lights and blurred light trails of cars on the main road. It makes for an interesting photo. Did you get a photo of the night sky too?
xx
Glad you like this shot Debbie. I tried ot get images of the night sky, but it just came out blurry I’m afraid. I’d love to have captured the Southern Cross because it is captivating.
I love this photo! There’s so much light and colour and so much going on.
Sorry the Cotswolds let you down yesterday! It was a miserable day.
The Cotswolds rarely lets me down. I’m sure it was a one off! Glad you like this image though Sarah.
Great shot I love the light filled shouty foreground and defined background #MySundayPhoto
Ha ha, yes, I like that description: shouty! Thanks for commenting.
Brilliant photo, I love the colour on this. I’ll come with you next time
Thank you for linking up
I don’t know if there will be a next time. I hope so, it’s a country I want to see much more of. If I go, I will let you know.
Nice photo, and yes, the Southern Hemisphere night sky is something else. Head out bush for a few nights next time you come this way and you’ll see something truly brilliant!
Oh I can well imagine. it must be stunning out in the bush.
There is so much to see in this photo and I could look at it for ages. I love the difference between the foreground and the skyline. Great capture.
Thanks Victoria. I guess there is a big difference between the foreground and background. I hadn’t really thought of it like that.
Amazing photo, it looks like a city that never sleeps.
It has certainly been a lively place every time I have been, although thanks to jetlag I don’t think I’ve ever been out later than 11pm!
I love night time delay shots too. The blurring of traffic really adds to the shot #mysundayphoto
As you may have gathered, I am also a big fan of time delayed shots. Glad you like this one.
Great night time shot John. I love the contrast between the night sky with the skyscrapers and the bright lights in the foreground.
Even if I say so myself, the contrasting lights do work well don’t they?