Byron Bay beach bike .....

Welcome,

I don't know where he was going, or why he was going there.

It doesn't matter really -  this sort of sight is common here.

Taken a couple of years ago on Ilford HP5 in an old Nikkormat.

(for those who think that sort of thing is important)

Stay safe

Ballina Nighthawks .....

Welcome,

There are no nighthawks in Ballina.



Not here,

and not here.

I'm sorry Mr. Hopper

Stay safe

Rain.....

Welcome,

It rained in Byron Bay today.

One should always dress appropriately for the weather.

Stay dry.

Rain

Stay safe

Ray .....

Welcome,

This is Ray.

He recently turned 90 and is one of those who saw action in World War 2.

I met him recently by chance and asked if he would let me do a portrait. I have a notion of photographing all the remaining veterans of that horror who live in the Northern Rivers area.

He agreed and I spent some time yesterday with Ray and his wife Betty.  He told me his story. A story which included growing up just north of Adelaide, losing a father shortly after the first world war, and then eventually concealing his true age and signing up with the Royal Australian Navy.

He served on H.M.A.S. Barcoo mainly on convoy escort duty around New Guinea.  

Following the war, he married Betty and spent 38 years as a professional fireman in and around the greater Sydney area.

He and Betty have been married for 68 years.  The last thing Betty said when I was leaving was " I adore him".  It seemed to me that he obviously adored her too.

It occurred to me that here was two elderly people, the sort you may see down any street, in any cafe, going about their daily business. How many of us, however, would consider that they have a story to tell. 

A life lived. A history written, if not on paper, then surely on the hearts of their loved ones.

Perhaps we ought not to just pass them by.  Perhaps we ought, rather, to say hello and maybe just listen for a while.  That generation is fast dwindling.  I think that maybe it still has much to offer.

Ray

Stay safe

Byron Bay beach art .....

Welcome,

Sometimes art can be found on the sand, ephemeral, temporary, individual, waiting to be washed away with the next high tide.

Sand art being created

Sometimes art can be a little more permanent, found on the skin of those who watch.

Skin art

Stay safe.

Byron Bay faces .....

Welcome,

It never ceases to amaze me that someone will allow a total stranger to make a photograph of them.

Sharing a few minutes of time with them often is all that is needed for them to allow the camera to be used.

Here are a couple of interesting characters I met recently while walking around Byron Bay. 

Lester is a well known member of the local indigenous community.  He is the brother of the late Micky Kay, one of the most respected of the local indigenous elders who used to perform welcome to the country ceremonies at local events.

Lester

Dan was singing and dancing in the main street with a couple of friends. It was noticeable that a lot of passers-by would rather not interact with them.  Their loss.  We ended up having a great laugh.  I say suspend judgement, you may have fun.

Dan

If you are out walking around your home town try to make conversation with a stranger.  You never know what might happen.  If you carry your camera - all the better.

Stay safe

The Jester.....

Welcome,

Yesterday as I was walking around Byron Bay, I noticed this chap riding his unicycle in the car park near the beach. Picking the position with the least distracting background (hard to believe) I waited until he rode into position. 

Just another average day in Byron Bay.

Stay safe.

All in his hands.....

Welcome,

In a short lived era of musical brilliance, The English group ' TheYardbirds' effectively altered music and influenced many young musicians.

At various times the group had as members Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.  All went on to bigger and better things and all remained a benchmark for others to follow.


Eric Clapton once said of Jeff Beck "With Jeff, It's all in his hands".


On Saturday night I was privileged to witness that for myself.  It was a show of subtlety, power and dynamics.  Watching closely, I came to see the truth in Clapton's comment.  With Jeff it is all in his hands. We too were in his hands.

I've now seen two out of the three Yardbirds guitarists in concert - Page and Beck.  Just one to go.

Stay safe.

Josh and the Jewfish

Welcome,

It was a beautiful day today so I again found myself near the shore, exploring possibilities for images at Flat Rock Beach just north of Ballina.

The light was fairly harsh and I hadn't done much so decided to head off.

As I was about to walk back along the beach toward the car park I noticed two men coming out of the water. They had obviously been snorkeling and spearfishing. I walked over and made conversation with them.

It seemed to be another chance to ask a total stranger if I could make a quick portrait shot.

This is Josh. The fish is called a Jewfish (or argyrosomus japonicus for those Latin speakers among you). He reckoned it weighed around 7kg or just over 15lb.

I reckoned it would look good on a plate.

Although I made a couple of images showing both Josh and the fish at full length, I prefer this one. If it was a shot for a magazine, I'd show the complete fish. As it is, the image is more a portrait of Josh, doing what he obviously loves.

No need to show the whole fish - anyone can tell it's a biggie.

Stay safe