Robert's Ramblings

Why does Action Man have such a grin on his face?

Why are his mates looking up laughing?
What are the Lady's prayers for?
Does anyone remember 'Tab'?

Some questions should be left unanswered ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 820, Action Man' 1/250s f4 ISO1250 200mm

Henley Square is one of the most universally inviting beach side public spaces along the Adelaide suburban coastline.

Sure there other others with more sand, more lawn, more sports, more nature or more space.

However, when it comes to putting a diverse variety of restaurants, bars, sports facilities, lawn and other public amenities as close to the water as possible without spoiling the feel of the beach then this space wins hands down.

Of course I'm going to make a claim like this. I am a local after all!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 819, The Square Part II' 8s f11 ISO800 15mm

The streets were full of youths with green tops.

Every now and then they would form words, disperse and form new words again.

I've never seen scrabble played like this before.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 818, Street Scrabble' 1/30s f2.8 ISO1600 200mm

From here I see a scene of serenity; three children paddling in a calm sea.

I wonder how serene they really are? Perhaps there is also a good mix of excitement at the risk of all falling in a tumble into the the ocean. After all, there is not much supporting them out there.

Serene, excited or both; regardless the are all having fun.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 817, Serenity' 1/1600s f11 ISO500 200mm

As I gazed out to the distant shipping channel I noticed something a little odd.

There between two large shipping containers was the ‘One and All’, a classic brigantine of mid-nineteenth century design.

Although based on the original rig of an 1850’s brigantine, the ‘One and All’ was built here in South Australia and launched in 1985.

Perhaps I'll get a little closer next time.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 816, Between Two Ships' 1/3200s f/2.8 ISO500 200mm

Your a prisoner of the dark sky
The propeller blades are still
And the evil eye of the hurricane's
Coming in now for the kill
...

Five miles out
Just hold your heading true
Got to get your finest out
Climbing Climbing
...

These lyrics from Mike Oldfield and the dulcet Scottish tones of Maggie Reilly have bee in my head for 32 years now.

I hear them every time I see a small plane in a tumultuous sky.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 815, 5 Miles Out' 1/2500s f/2.8 ISO1000 200mm

Not all Lamborghinis growl, squeal and do 0-100Km/h in 3 seconds.

Ferruccio Lamborghini's dream of producing the worlds most coveted sports cars became a reality back in 1963 with his first masterpiece the 350 GTV. This is not one of them.

Fortunately Lamborghini never forgot it's agricultural heritage and to this day still makes the worlds most awesome tractors.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 814, Lamborghini' 1/160s f/5.6 ISO640 70mm

For centuries the railway has been a symbol of industrialisation, wealth and progress.

It seems fitting then that the new Royal Adelaide Hospital is being constructed alongside the railyard exiting from Adelaide's train station.

I am reminded of the debate some years back of whether to refurbish the old Royal Adelaide Hospital or build a shiny new one.

I am glad progress prevailed.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 813, Progress' 15s f/10 ISO400 15mm

Amazing evenings with sunset after sunset after sunset.

It's great to be living near the sea. Especially if you like seascape sunsets!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 812, Sea Shell' 1s f/18 ISO160 15mm

Well perhaps not exactly water babies at all seeing how water shy these guys actually seemed to be.

If this was supposed to be a refreshing respite after a hard training session I'm sure they did not seem to think so as none of them wanted to get wet above the waist.

Water babies ... perhaps not.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 811, Water Babies' 1/60s f/2.8 ISO100 70mm

Once I noticed this unlikely scene in a local Adelaide bar I was caught up in the unspoken story lurking there.

Who are those two new Teletubbies dressed in suits and whispering to themselves?
What unseemly event has left the tux attired M.C. crestfallen?
And, what story do they all have in common.

It could have simply been the way they were all placed together on that high shelf behind the bar.

Somehow I am convinced there's more to this than meets the eye!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 810, Tele Who? ' 1/10s f/2.8 3200 200mm

What a perfect evening for photos on the beach with a balmy warm breeze, serious clouds, golden tones and hints of a thunderstorm.

I'm not sure though if I was creating images or teaching my camera to swim.

Regardless of the stress, no real harm came to my camera short of a bit of exterior salt water though I know for a fact the manufacturer of my tripod will not want to know me anymore should I have any trouble.

Just perfect.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 809, My Perfect Beach ' 1/5s f/11 ISO160 15mm

Tonight we sat back on the beach and were treated to one of the most amazing shows on Earth.

Reds, and oranges and pinks and greens all rendered on a backdrop of land, sand and sea.

Some were tempted by front row seats. We were content to just sit up the back.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 808, Tempted' 1/125s f/11 ISO2500 200mm

Over the last year the train services have been badly disrupted by a major rails system electrification project.

The overhead power-lines are now a constant feature of the suburban train network but so far though I have not actually seen an electric train in action.

I guess if nothing else it makes for a more interesting perspective.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 807, Electric Perspective' 15s f/8 ISO400 15mm

As soon as I saw this old outhouse tucked away under the trees besides the police barracks horse pens I wondered how I might capture it in an unusual way.

Here lit by the floodlights of the the new Royal Adelaide Hospital construction site it has taken on an imposing perspective.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 806, Forgotten Outhouse' 15s f/11 ISO400 15mm

What a delight to stumble upon one of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history, the 1957 Chevrolet Belair 2-Door Sports Coupe, the '57 Chevy'. Perhaps even on its 57th birthday!

Everything about this vehicle was as close to perfect as I could tell right down to the original car radio antenna. The only give away that this was not an image captured in the late 50's is South Australian number plate which at least is small and unobtrusive.

I tip my hat to all the owners of this car over the years and its being here today as if it had just come off the production line 57 years later.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 805, 57 Chevy - 57 Years' 1/40s f/2.8 ISO1600 90mm

This image is about lifestyle. For me that's not about the lifestyle you might imagine associated with cruising but being connected to the ocean in a more visceral way.

When I see a boat out to sea I imagine divers suiting up, preparing their equipment, checking their air and performing the ritual buddy checks before dropping in off the back into the ocean and the adventures below.

Then again , they are probably only cruising!

Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 804, Cruising' 1/40s f/11 ISO160 200mm

Of all the big names in synths I think I am fondest of Roland.

Aside from the fact that the first bit of electronic music gear I ever purchased was a Roland (MPU-401), the name reminds me of a musician rather than an untamed beast or a noisy motorcycle.

It is all about personal opinions after all.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 803, X8' 1/60s f/2.8 ISO1000 140mm

These two heads were heading for being a black and white study.

I could not help myself though, I just love colour!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 802, Two Heads' 1/160s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

Impressive at first but I am sure it would become tiresome if you actually lived here.

This is the entrance to an apartment block I encountered while wandering around 'The Rocks' in Sydney.

I guess the marble theme is in keeping with the location but then it really should have been granite.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 801, Marble Mayhem' 1s f/18 ISO160 15mm

There was a dark shape moving silently under the the surface of the calm water.

Suddenly a turtle popped it's little head up to say hello!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 800, Peek-A-Boo' 1/800s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

There's a way of capturing movement somewhere between the fuzziness of a motion blurred shot and the ghostly surrealism of misty streaks.

The forms are real enough to have presence, to be certain they were real but indistinct and disconnected in the same way as perceived in a fleeting glimpse.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 799 A Fleeting Glimpse' 1s f/18 ISO100 15mm

I'm sure Noa Weiss has done this move enough times to be be sure her husband Uri will catch her.

Still I am sure there is always a little bit of apprehension ...

I got to see Noa and Uri of Cirque No Problem as they put on their show in the Adelaide Airport Plaza as part of the Fringe Festival.

This was a complete surprise and proved yet again that you never now when you will need your camera!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 798 Look Uri, No Hands!' 1/1250s f/11 ISO640 15mm

Normally considered to be one of the most majestic of the flightless birds, this Indian Peafowl is looking rather comical.

With head feathers cocked ungainly to one side and no tail feathers on display this peacock is clearly not trying to attract a mate on this occasion.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 797, Blue Indian' 1/400s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

It's really only a waxing gibbous moon but it looks as if it could be full.

Far away in the Riverland the stars are bright and the sky clear, a real treat from the subdued stars in the city sky.

The odd little grouping at the water's edge in the distance is a distant campsite with it's own little universe of stars.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 796 Moon River' 6s f/8 ISO6400 15mm

It's easy to stare into a burning campfire. The almost hypnotic dance of light in the embers and flame flares into the night are always mesmerizing.

Despite it's appeal as a subject I am usually disappointed with images I capture as never really capturing that feeling.

Perhaps I never will but I'll never stop trying.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 795, Embers' 1/320 f/2.8 ISO1000 190mm

Nearly everyone who has experienced looking down on city lights from some high vantage has taken a photograph and then been disappointed how the final image never really captured the moment.

This view of Adelaide's twinkling lights however is full of the moment, a wonderful evening with family at Windy Point.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 794, Cityscape' 10s f/7.1 ISO1600 40mm

The logo emblazened on the side of this Italjet Torpedo 150 says it all; 'I'm fast!'.

Take a step back though and perspective reveals that 'fast' is relative. Scooters really don't go all that fast.

Still if I was going to cruise on one, the Torpedo would at least be a comfortable ride.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 793, Torpedo' 1/1000s f/16 ISO640 40mm

It seems appropriate to go from an empty bottle of Penfold's Grange to the unpicked fruit on the vine and these plump ripe Shiraz berries will soon make their way into one or more 'Cradle of Hills' wines for their 2014 vintage.

We met Paul and Tracy Smith on the first crushing day of their 2014 vintage. A small group of us started early in the morning and despite some difficult picking around stressed vines we had picked enough by lunch to crush the first batch. By the time we had bucketed the last of the Shiraz into the crusher we we ready for lunch.

Tracy put on an awesome spread with local McLaren Vale produce, their best wines from last year's vintage and plenty of beer for those not inclined to the vine.

Thank you Paul and Tracy for inviting us to be part of your 2014 vintage.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 792, Deep Purple' 1/200s f/16 ISO640 40mm

The termites tried their hardest.

They reduced the cardboard carton to a pulpy mess.

They etched patterns in the label as they sought in vain the treasured prize within.

Alas, despite the damage, this wine remained unblemished and was as awesome as the winemaker planned it to be.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 791, 1990 Grange' 1/60s f/2.8 Stack ISO200 100mm