Melbourne Candid Series #403 South Bank Melbourne

 

They all look airborne almost

South Bank Melbourne

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 246

Melbourne Candid Series #402 Elizabeth St Melbourne

 

Looks like shadows of figures lurking

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 245

Melbourne Candid Series #401 South Bank Melbourne

 

Enjoying the scootering together

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 244

Melbourne Candid Series #400 Elizabeth St Melbourne

 

This is called waddling gait suggestive of pelvic muscle wasting

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 243

Melbourne Candid Series #407 Swanston St Melbourne

 

I just love walking through the busy street of Swanston St - easy to snap photos while walking

Watching people do whatever is sometimes addictive

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 248 and FACE OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #399 De Graves St

 

Always busy and hustling here.

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 242

Melbourne Candid Series #398 Flinders Lane

 

I like the frame on Flinders Lane Melbourne

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 241

Melbourne Candid Series #397 Uncle Tetsu Cheese Cake

 

This was a popular cheesecake shop imported from Japan. The original one in Osaka was really soft and tender to taste, melting in the mouth immediately. Not sure about this one though

Swanston St, Melbourne

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 240

Melbourne Candid Series #396 Swanston St Melbourne

 

I actually start wearing headphones when I take a photowalk. Quite fun to do so.

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 239

Melbourne Candid Series #395 The causeway Melbourne CBD

 

This alley is always a wonderful spot to observe people.

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 238

Melbourne Candid Series #394 Collins Arcade

 

Collins arcade is always lovely to walk through

No faces in this frame

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 237

Melbourne Candid Series #393 Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 421 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

 

Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 

Outside this family eatery

When the Hopetoun Tea Rooms opens in its new home on the corner of Bourke and McKillop Streets later this year, it will continue a 128-year legacy.

 

After more than a century in the Block Arcade – where generations of Melburnians have queued for a pot of tea, a slice of cake and a piece of history – the institution announced in 2020 that it would be moving to a new CBD site after a change of ownership.

 

The local treasure will reopen this summer in the grand 163-year-old Bourke Street building that was formerly home to Kozminsky jewellery, under the stewardship of new owner Vikram Singh. But before then, Hopetoun’s sought-after cakes, pastries and house-blended teas are available at its new shop.

 

Hopetoun Bakeshop – located at the new site – is a “modern take on a traditional English bakery”, says Singh, with heritage-green walls, marble counters and gold trimmings, as well as shelves lined with loose-leaf teas, house-made jams and relishes, and a collection of teaware.

 

A display case is crammed with spongy gateaux, delicate biscuits, seasonal fruit tarts and savoury sandwiches, pies and pasties geared towards the grab-and-go crowd. But those dining in can watch the pastry chefs at work in their new kitchen, which will also function as the “engine room” for the tea rooms.

 

“We were in a very small space in the Block Arcade,” says Singh, who was a Hopetoun customer before saving the stalwart from closure when it went into administration in 2020.

“People knew the brand because it had been running in the same space for such a long time. But it was constrained, especially the kitchen,” says Singh. “It was set up to prepare scones and sandwiches, but people’s eating habits have changed – they want more variety, and, at the same time, really good quality … the art of pastry has evolved so much. We couldn’t have taken the brand to the next level in that place.”

 

When the tea rooms reopen in December, the building will house a ground-floor dining room, afternoon tea service on level one, and on the top floor, a function space for bridal parties, baby showers and so on.

“It was important we remain in a heritage building that has a bit of history,” says Singh. “Melbourne is well-known for its food expertise, so how do we differentiate ourselves? We’re offering people a piece of history.

 

When Singh and the team landed on the former Kozminsky building, they also found a surprise connection to Hopetoun. “Lady Hopetoun [the wife of the Governor of Victoria from 1889 to 1895, and the shop’s namesake] was a customer of Kozminsky jewellers, and we’ve got some photos where she actually modelled in a newspaper wearing Kozminsky jewellery.”

History and heritage are inextricably tied to the Hopetoun brand, and Singh has no intention of changing that. “Our customer base – some of whom have been going to Hopetoun for 60 years – have been telling us beautiful stories of how they went with their grandmother and now they’d like to take their granddaughter. We don’t want to change.”

“I come from a tea-loving nation, India,” says Singh. “So the tea part really excited me. I want to promote good-quality tea drinking, which is what’s lacking in Australia. People still see tea as the humble teabag.”

A signature of the tea rooms is its traditional afternoon tea service featuring dainty sandwiches, pastries and scones. While that’s on hold until the new space opens, the bake shop is offering a Devonshire tea, including those scones topped with house-made berry jam and Gippsland Jersey clotted cream.

The tea rooms will open in late 2023 at 421 Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Sony A7RIV + FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 234

and FACE OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #392 More cyclist on South Bank

 

Gesturing towards someone 

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm 1.8 GM

Check out Candid 234

Melbourne Candid Series #391 Swanston St Melbourne

 

Just outside St Paul's Cathedral

Dog day

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 234

Melbourne Candid Series #390 Runner on South Bank

 

Before my conference on South Bank, the runner is doing his deeds

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 232

Melbourne Candid Series #389 South Bank Melbourne Cyclist

 

South Bank, Melbourne

Cyclist in action

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 230

Melbourne Candid Series #388 South Bank Melbourne

 

Jogging on South Bank

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 229

Melbourne Candid Series #387 South Bank Melbourne

 

Work in progress

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 228

Melborune Candid Series #386 South Bank Melbourne

 

South bank morning

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 227

Melbourne Candid Series #385 Drinking Kool aid

 

I was thinking of that phrase when I saw him drinking something 

Sony A7RV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 227

Melbourne Candid Series #384 Elizabeth St Flinders Station

 

Underground walk stroll

I like the vibe from this potentially dangerous corridor 

Sony A7RV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Candid 236

Melbourne Candid Series #383 Flinders Lane

 

In the restaurant NOMAD

Decent winter food

Sony A7RV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 225 and Face OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #382 Swanston St, Melbourne

 

Quite relaxing walk

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 224

Melbourne Candid Series #381 Elizabeth St Melbourne

 

All out on the street at crossing

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 223

Melbourne Candid Series #380 Springvale

 

Asian bakery store

Check out Candid 221

Melbourne Candid Series #379 Alowyn Garden

 

Strolling around the fountain 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check Candid 220

Melbourne Candid Series #378 Alowyn Garden

 

Enjoying the stroll in the garden

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 234

Melbourne Candid Series #377 Alowyn Garden Yarra Glen

 

Everyone is a photographer. 

Melba Hwy Yarra Glen

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 233

Melbourne Candid Series #376 Posing for a photo at Alowyn Gardens

 

He was posing for his young wife. Somehow, he had an unusual statue. 

Yarra Glen

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out 

Melbourne Candid Series #375 Lillydale Melbourne

 

I was walking passing by this little cafe where the patron was enjoying a lovely breakie

Maroondah Hwy

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 216

and Face OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #374 King St Melbourne

 

Another group meet up 

As I get older, there are less people I still keep in touch...

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Check out Candid 230

Melbourne Candid Series #373 Starstruck

 

A lot of stars have visited this store 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12mm f1.2

Check out Candid 224

Melbourne Candid Series #372 Touristy crowd

 

Market St, Melbourne

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Check out Candid 223

Melbourne Candid Series #371 Alma Rd, Winsdor

 

Winter vibe through and through 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 222

Melbourne Candid Series #370 Fast food truck

 

It is pretty cheap so the queue is long. 

Victoria parade 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 221 and FACE OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #369 Swanston St, Melbourne

 

This is still a thing in our city

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 220

Melbourne Candid Series #368 Punt Road, Carlton

 

Walking along the winter walk path 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 219

Melbourne Candid Series #367 King St, Melbourne

 

Checking for traffic 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 218

Melbourne Candid Series #366 Queen St, Melbourne

 

The casting shadow of grid on their faces 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 217

Melbourne Candid Series #365 Lygon Street Carlton

 

Lygon Street pub corner 

Rather bustling atmosphere in this dying part of town 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

I come across this argument in a local street photography forum "Edit or no edit" 

"If you post process, it doesn't mean that you haven't learned the equipment or your style. In fact some who post process know their equipment intimately knowing very well the bounds of the tools available to them.

Also, post processing predates digital by a long way. Are those who dodged and burned in the darkroom not real photographers, or photographers with extra skill sets?

If you take what you can get out of in camera jpeg as a strict constraint, that means that you have accepted the choices your camera's engineers made for prioritising highlights, shadows, saturation etc. Even if you're a 100% manual shooter, you have accepted that you're going to let the camera make a lot of decisions on processing for you.

If you shoot raw and post process, you are no less of a photographer because of it. If you choose an in camera preset or film sim, again you have accepted someone else's choices for final processing.

If you have files from 2008 in low light, they look noisy because digital cameras sucked at low light in 2008. If you feed those old photos into software in 2023 that can recognise sensor noise and correct it with a high degree of accuracy, it doesn't mean that you didn't know how to use a camera in 2008. You may have just accepted noise as a trade-off for a reasonable exposure.

If you have a camera released this year and push iso in a difficult situation to get the shot rather than not, knowing that software in 2023 can correct sensor noise really well, it doesn't mean that you didn't learn your equipment. It could just mean that you know enough to get the shot rather than not."

Check out Candid 216 and FACE OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #364 Birrarung Marr Market

 

The atmosphere of people 

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 125

Melbourne Candid Series #363 Food truck

 

Birrarung Marr 

A cropped frame. I like it like this 

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 123

Melbourne Candid Series #362 Queen Vic Market

 

It is a good location for street snaps!

Directional lighting always helps with mood

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 215

Melbourne Candid Series #361 Queen Vic Market Vendor

 

Not a place for vegetarian

Sony a7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 214

Melbourne Candid Series #360 Elizebath St, Melbourne

 

I attempted 135mm fixed focal length to do a trial candid shoot in street. Quite a different perspective. The folks in camera club often told me not to use telephoto lenses in street photography.

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 213

Melbourne Candid Series #359 Fitzroy St, Melbourne

 

A peculiar expression

Fitzroy St, Fitzroy

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 214

Melbourne Candid Series #358 Fitzroy St Fitzroy

 

Who says men cannot multi-task?

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 213 and Face OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #357 Brunswick St Brunswick

 

A little touch of post industrial feel 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 212

Melbourne Candid Series #356 Young man

 

Walking along Fitzroy St with empty shops

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 211

Melbourne Candid Series #355 Mural and person

 

Along the Sunshine Ave walk, this place is dangerous to visit at night

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 210