One thing I've been meaning to do for a long time now is take a walk round Melbourne at night.

Until I got to Byron Bay I hadn't actually fully discovered the potential of my camera. I knew it had the capability to let me alter it's settings, changing the apature and shutter speed but like the fool that I am sometimes I hadn't actually read up on how it all worked. Then, as time passed, I sort of forgot it was all there.

It did mean I lost the chance to photograph Sydney at night. Sydney's a glorious city to the eye. Melbournians may hate it but then that's their perogative. Personally, I loved it. It has a pair of world famous constructions, the Opera House and the harbour bridge. Melbourne doesn't have such monuments. It does have the classic 'city skyline'. That tall set of buildings which show up for miles (or kilometres) around as you approach. The Rialto building, Melbourne Central, et al.

Then there's the city at night where numerous buildings are lit up. They show themselves in a whole new perspective, as is often the case with good architecture.

So last night, in between rain showers, I started taking a few random tram trips around the city. It's times like these that a tripod would come in very handy. It's not a luxury I can afford (more weight, more packing) but with something to lean on a steady hand is easy to come by for those 1-2 second shutter speeds.

The biggest problem with night time photographs is finding the right spot, being able to hold the camera steady and timing. A spot of patience doesn't go amiss either, taking the same photo numerous times, adjusting settings and then hoping that at least one photo will look good.

The rain did put me off a little. It rained at Crown but held off around Federation Square. I'll go out again a couple more times though before the week is out.

Melbourne by night

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