Introduction:Ive decided to start a series of “insights” behind some of the photos that I have taken over the time that I have been involved in photography. My purpose is to give the viewer an idea of what the photographer was thinking and or intending before the photograph was taken. In doing so I hope to portray an understanding between photographer and viewer so that a greater appreciation can be achieved. I know that some of the technical speak may loose a non photographic person, however there are always two sides to a photo.

Issue #1 “Playing with Movement & Light”

One of my favourite subjects when taking time out from model photography has to be playing with light sources at night time. I work at a business that is located on St Kilda Road, many times late at night I would pass by the National Gallery of Victoria and think to myself that it would be interesting to play with the light sources that illuminate the water fountains that grace the front of the building.

In this photo I wanted to convey the spectacular dance and illumination of the water, for this to be created the camera was setup on a tripod and the shutter was left open for around 3 1/4 minutes at a very high aperture, with the use of a ND8 filter F/29 effectively became F/32 (+2 F-stops) there fore allowing a much longer shutter speed. With the assistance of a shutter release cable and some basic judgement the above photo was created. I hope to one day to use the same technique with the water displays at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Further examples can be viewed in the Melbourne at Night Gallery

Until the next issue ….That’s all for now – Brett Robson