[Leica] New posts from Hoppy

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Folks,

I have posted some new images taken on a visit to Melbourne here in
Australia.

A little while ago some experienced LUG members suggested that I try some
people photography, asking strangers for permission as a photographic
exercise.

So each person here gave their permission and those shots are with either
the Summicron 50 or my lovely new 28.

                      

Previously some people have asked for a little more detail for interest, so
there is a note here relating to each.

 

This gentleman busking on a busy street corner claimed to have been wounded
during the Korean War. Now he's clowning for change.

I'm not sure what that says. His costume is assembled from multicoloured
rags, feather boas and foil decorations, all over the Swish shirt.

M7 Summicron 50, Delta 100

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Veteran_busking

 

This young woman was enjoying some tunes on her iPod outside a University
campus. She was not at all surprised when I approached her for the photo.
Healthy self image.

M7 Summicron 28, Delta 100.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Woman_on_city_seat

 

>From a wedding exhibit and shows a very industrial strength limousine. I was
taken with the banners behind, as well.

M7 Summicron 50, Delta 100

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Jurassic_Limo

 

I have no idea why this very senior sailor was eating a chocolate chip
muffin at the wedding exhibit. I think it was a brave move with a white
uniform

M7 Summicron 28, Delta 100

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Morning_tea

 

An historic building set in some pretty parkland, hosting the wedding
exhibit then.

M7 Voigtlander Skopar 25, Delta 100

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Exhibition_Centre

 

These are a darker mood. The setting is an historical old gaol, which is now
open as an exhibit to the public. The characters are actors that presented a
small play on the life of Ned Kelly.

Ned Kelly was an outlaw in Australia during the mid to later 1800's. He has
attained almost mythical status like a sort of Robin Hood. He was of Irish
immigrant stock and is often portrayed as an anti-hero oppressed by the
Colonial police.

His family by all accounts did have a very tough existence, however he also
murdered at least three policemen, robbed banks, took hostages and stole
horses. 

Most famously his gang fashioned armour from plough shares and defied police
to hurt them.

They planned to assault a train full of police sent to capture them, took a
whole pub full of hostages and waited for the train. The police were tipped
off and the gang was largely wiped out in a dramatic shootout with the
police. Ned himself survived. It did him no good, as he was later executed
on the gallows visible in the photos.

The woman portrayed his mother who was imprisoned for three years for
helping her son resist a policeman who arrived drunk, to arrest a family
member then apparently made advances to his 14 yr old sister. Ned surrounded
him with pistol shots, wounding him once. The same pistol, I think is still
on display, complete with a chipped butt where Ned's finger was shattered by
one of 28 shot wounds suffered during his last confrontation. So I enjoyed
the play like the other visitors, however, it was a little disconcerting in
that actual setting. Some 136 people were executed on that very spot.  

M7 Summicron 50 f2 at 15th sec, Delta 400. I need a monopod for these
occasions.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Ned_Kelly_at_Old_Melbour
ne_Gaol

 

Photo opportunity for an audience member who participated in the play. When
I thought about it this is really a little macabre given the background.

Historically though, the prison is very interesting, if quite horrifying as
a place were people were incarcerated or worse in brutal conditions. I shall
pack some Neopan 1600 for next visit.

M7 Summicron 50 f2 30th sec, Delta 400

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Tourist_photo_at_old_gao
l

 

 

Easily the most chilling part of this historic site, Currently the tableau
of figures comprising Ned Kelly's hanging are removed, but the whole
mechanics of that capital punishment era remain on display in a dark, cold
mediaeval building.

M7 Summicron 50, Delta 400

http://gallery.leica-users.org/Melbourne_-Australia/Gallows

 

Folks, all of that story has got to be worth some feedback on the pictures.
Nothing worse than your posts sinking silently into the LUG with nary a
whimper from the audience!

 

Cheers

Hoppy