Robert's Ramblings

In the modern western world this truly ancient symbol may evoke negative emotions but the true meaning is the complete opposite.

Here withing the walls of holy Tirtha Empul the swastika, as a Hindu symbol represents the Brahman in its energy manifestation; Shakti.

For more than 8000 years this image has symbolized goodness. It still does for most of the world. Hopefully it will again for all.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 882, Ancient Symbol' 1/160s f/2.8 ISO800 168mm

The world's most important food and there is also a good chance you have never seen it like this before.

In a total contrast to a previous 'rice' image this time the harvest has all its husky goodness still intact.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 881, Worlds Most Important Food - Part II' 1/125s f/8 ISO100 15mm

Like strip lighting guiding the way to your seats in the theatre, the Balinese equivalent guides tourists and locals alike from the shoreline back up to the bars and restaurants of Seminyak.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 880, Lights On The Sand' 1/100s f/2.8 ISO2500 200mm

From the bars to the temples the breadth of diversity in Bali is amazing.

Our time wandering through the ancient Hindu temple of Tirtha Empul brought that all together in one place where tourists and locals mixed, bathed in the purifying waters and took time to pray.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 879, The Holy Spring of Tirtha Empul' 1/125s f/4 ISO6160 200mm

Imagine coming to the edge of a 60m cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Imagine looking out to the the incoming sets, following them in to the rocky shore below.

Imagine looking down and seeing one of those rocks jutting out into the ocean all lit up and turning the crashing spray into a million diamonds of light.

We did not have to ... there it was, the Rock Bar!

A funicular took us down from the clifftop to the coolest bar we have ever been to. A DJ was bending the sound from a grotto midway up the cliff face and cocktails just kept coming ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 878, The Rock Bar' 8s f/7.1 ISO640 15mm

With the World Cup just days away now Balinese beaches are seemingly more like opportunistic soccer fields with impromptu teams than a place to relax.

It's good to see fans just as enthusiastic about playing as they are about their favourite teams. So what about Indonesia's team? Best not to mention it.

Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 877, The World Cup a World Away' 1/160s f/2.8 ISO640 200mm

As the sun dropped lower and lower towards a bidding horizon the sky, still filled with microscopic volcanic ash, was painted the most amazing hues of orange and green.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 876, Seminyak Sunset' 1/3200s f/7.1 ISO160 200mm

This is a place I am so used to flying directly over and looking down on from 8000 meters. Now I can finally cite the 1980s Redgum lyrics, 'I've been to Bali too'.

The sprawling palatial Ayana resort overlooking Jimbaran Bay is nothing short of extraordinary. With its modern interpretation of traditional Asian building and landscaping it is an amazing place to explore.

We only spent an evening here but it was nothing short of amazing.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 875, Ayana Welcome' 6s f/11 ISO160 15mm

It could very well be an office in space as I imagine the deck of some futuristic starship.

Lit brightly like some luminous edifice amid the grey steel I think I'd feel more exposed in this space than cocooned and the white apex of pillars is such a visual reminder of the great weight above.

I like the novelty but I think I'll pass on this SAHMRI office space.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 874, Office Space' 1/8 f/11 ISO400 15mm

Strummer is over and winder is coming!

I could not think of anything seasonal about picking rather than strumming but with winter indeed moments away I did not really think it mattered.

So strumming, picking, falling or waiting on winter it really doe not matter. A mean guitarist sounds great in any season.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 873, Strummers Over' 1/320s f/8 ISO320 25mm

Fedrico's mermaid is just a small part of a very large mural I absolutely adore by the Toy Solders Crew on Rose Street in Glenelg.

She is just one of a number of really cool underwater characters juxtaposed against a suburban backstreet landscape.

Forget the corporate head shots, these guys are much more fun.

Thanks for the gorgeous work Federico.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 872, Federico's Mermaid' 1/320s f/8 ISO320 25mm

When the sun sits right on the horizon and the sky is full of grey cloud the colours and tones are so surreal as to almost be alien.

Here the shadows do not just creep but are hurled into the distance and the sharpness of light against dark is palpable.

In less than 60 seconds it will all be over ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 871, Alien Light' 1/125s f/11 ISO320 15mm

Perhaps not as these instruments are made of stainless steel, not brass and do nothing other than blow hot and cold air!

Still it's easy to imagine some momentous fanfare bellowing from their gaping bells.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 870, The Four Trumpeteers' 8s f/11 ISO400 150mm

No matter the fact that I have not consumed a beer or two.

No matter that fact that I am respecting the speed limit.

No matter that fact that my car is in good order.

I still feel uncomfortable pulling into a police testing station.

There really is nowhere to hide!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 869, Nowhere To Hide' 2s f/11 ISO320 200mm

Another weekend, another sunset, another day over.

No matter how often I watch the sun set into the west I never tire of the scene unfolded.

The colours are always different,
the tide is always different,
the clouds are always different,
the sea is always different,
the beach is always different,
the people are always different,
and my experience is always different.

For a time at least the jetty will not change nor will how much I enjoy this place.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 868, Always Different' 1/4 f/16 ISO320 15mm

I first noticed these didgeridoo like sculptures opposite the Adelaide Police Barracks on Port Road about 12 months ago.

During the day they are almost invisible to passing traffic but at night with their internal lighting they are both striking and poignant. Capturing them has been on my to-do list ever since.

I have tried and tried to find out more about them but so far I have not been able to find any reference to them of any kind.

Please comment if you know more, I'd love to hear.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 867, Didgeridoos' 15s f/11 ISO1600 200mm

Who says Adelaide doesn't do awesome?

Two years ago I photographed the early scaffolding for this amazing building and since then have watched it transform into this extraordinary craft on the Adelaide skyline.

The design of the SAHMRI (South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute) building makes a strong statement in this city more renowned for its churches rather than its progressive architecture. This building along with a host of other bold and controversial constructions in recent times surely indicates we are doing something good.

Yes we do do awesome!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 866, SAHMRI' 1.6s f/16 ISO400 15mm

Sometimes it's nice to experience a little colour.

There was colour in the sky, colour in the rocks, colour on the walls, colour in the sand, colour on the water and there was probably even colour in the air.

Too bad an image could not do any of it any real justice.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 865, Henley Beach In Colour' 1/160s f/16 ISO320 15mm

This dark elongated mass lying on the beach looks like it could have been left behind by some land based creature.

I am sure however that it some form of algae washed ashore and left to dry in the sun.

Still I was not about to prod it to make absolutely sure.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 864, Not What It Looks Like' 1/125 f/14 ISO160 100mm

Autumn is a very special time of the year for many who appreciate the colours of 'the fall'.

I'd always wondered why they called it that when most of our trees are evergreen and not really with the program.

Still there are a few places around where the leaves turn through colours such as yellow, orange, red and crimson.
Where they fall to the earth to create a coloured three dimensional carpet perfect for little children to bury themselves under or for photographers to add an extra dimension of 'romantic' into their themed portrait images.

So if you are into 'the fall', enjoy it while it lasts because
...
winter is coming.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 863, Totally Autumn' 1/8000 f/2.8 ISO640 100mm

Tucked away down a side street off Jetty Road in Glenelg is yet another extraordinary piece of street art by the Toy Solders Crew.

I can't be absolutely certain of the individual artist's identities but the names 'Fredrock' and 'Benzo' keep popping up.

I have seen examples of their work all over Adelaide but this piece with its undercurrents of a dark version of 'The Little Mermaid' would have to be my favorite.

For those in the know it reminds me how important it is to always be blowing bubbles.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 862, Toy Solder Crew' 1/160 f/16 ISO320 29mm

Red, red sky
Goes to my lens
Makes me forget that I
Can't shoot to long

Red, red sky
It's up to you
All I can do, I've done
I 've shown up to you
Yes, I have shown up to you

I'd have thought
That with time
The ocean view
Would leave my head
I was wrong
And I find
Just one thing brings me back

Red, red sky
Stay 'till the twilight goes
Don't let me miss your show
It's filling with art
My blue, blue heart.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 861, Red Red Sky' 1/13 f/16 ISO320 15mm

There's a story here on this hidden wall in suburban Adelaide.

Who is the man with briefcase and folder and who are the two figures in the window watching him leave? Or is he leaving?

Is the woman begging or perhaps offering something, and to whom?

Are there learned men walking the halls of some hallowed place oblivious to the personal stories all around them.

There seem to be many stories here though I have been told none of them.

For now I will imagine my own.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 860, Untold Story' 1/100 f/7.1 ISO160 33mm

There are two places in the world I am drawn to. In some sense they are complete opposites but really they are all just aspects of our amazing planet.

One is, obviously enough, the ocean. The other, and sadly I have not spent enough time in them , the mountains.

Many times I peer out to the clouds on the horizon and image tall beautiful capped mountainous or fiery volcanic lava flows.

This time a pelican all alone against the sunset is as gorgeous as it gets.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 859, All Alone' 1/8000 f/4 ISO100 200mm

Farewell Tin Tin. You were an amazing friend to us nearly 16 years until you slipped away from us in your sleep today.

This image of Jennifer and Tin Tin was taken only four days ago. It was his last day on the beach sniffing rotting seaweed, other dogs backsides and shying from the huge Henley Beach surf.

We are so lucky you lived so many years strong, healthy, often ditsy, always food obsessed and never quite grown up.

Thank you Tin Tin for your gorgeous nature, your beautiful temperament and for being our family's best friend.


em>Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 858, Farewell Tin Tin' 1/500 f/8 ISO320 120mm

With autumn nearly over and winter on its way our beach is starting to take on a disheveled windswept look.

Clumpy, patchy, pools of water where the ocean has scoured the sand and piles of seaweed heaped here and there.

No longer the postcard place of summer but still as beautiful as the seasons change.

Winter is coming ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 857, Winter Is Coming' 1/320 f/8 ISO320 200mm

The autumn tones are indeed beautiful but while meandering through the garden I found I became more enthralled with shapes rather than colours.

Among the crimson leaves of the liquid amber tree were a few pods still hanging on from summer.

This spiky pod now well shriveled will fall off eventually but for now I am glad to capture its profile against the autumn sun.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 856, Liquid Amber' 1/8000 f/25 ISO320 100mm

I love how we have held on to the romance of tall sailing ships. A symbol so ancient in the travel of humanity for every reason imaginable.

No longer needed for exploration of uncharted lands or even escape from humanitarian tragedies, sailing ships today really belong to the world of maritime romantics, sailing enthusiasts and big boys toys.

South Australia's own sail training ship, the 'One And All' has been used teach sailing, to host youth training and mentoring programs as well as public recreational cruising.

Though I have admired her and photographed her many times I have never been on board. A situation I hope to remedy.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 855, Come One Come All Come One And All' 1/400s f/5.6 ISO400 200mm

Another day comes to an end and our 'Sol' hovers on a watery horizon.

It might be 'so long' for now but as sure as as anything can be, we will see you in the morning.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 854, So Long Sol' 1/4000s f/16 ISO100 200mm

At first I thought it was unnatural. I Imagined stone shapes cast in some exotic mix of concrete, sand and and gravel.

On closer inspection it appeared to indeed be real granite. I left with this image and a puzzle.

Later I learned that this new Adelaide Airport water feature is actually a complex sculpture made up of over six hundred individually carved granite pieces designed by artist Mark Stoner (what a great name) .

So real as that granite may very well be, its still all a little unnatural.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 853, Unnatural Watercourse' 10s f/22 ISO320 21mm