Robert's Ramblings

... BATMAN!

Cosplay ( aka costume play ) is a big part of AVCon. Costume play is considered a performance art where costume and interactions closely represent a specific character.

Rather than being a stage performer, cosplayers interact with each other in a social ways and here in Adelaide there is a vibrant cosplay subculture with themes from manga, anime, comics, cartoons and video games.

AVCon is just one of the many events Adelaide cosplayers get to strut their theme!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Na na na na Na na na na', 1/20s f/2.8 ISO2000 200mm

I wonder if Martin Haese, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, is a closet gamer or perhaps an anime fan in denial!

Well I'll leave you to speculate but his enthusiasm opening AVCon 2017 was unmistakable.

It's great to know the Adelaide City Council supports events like AVCon and Martin's presence Friday let us all know his heart is right there in it!

Gamer; anime fan or neither he is certainly a supporter of youth culture (young and old alike).


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Lord Mayor', 1/80s f/4.0 ISO1250 200mm

On AVCon's opening night the performers danced us the story of 'Ayvee and Switch'.

In this scene Ayvee, performed by Alice Willamsen, spins a gift of silk cloth for her rescuer Switch.

Ayvee, in the form of a beautiful magical crane had been caught in a trap set by the people of Switch's village.

Despite the famine and hardship the village had endured Switch was so filled with compassion he chose to release the crane rather than bring it back to his village.

In her gratitude Ayvee spins fine silk cloth from her feathers which the villagers then sell to buy the food they need.

It was a delightful story and wonderful prelude to AVCon 2017.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Ayvee', 1/500s f/2.8 ISO2000 200mm

The opening night of AVCon at the Adelaide Convention Center was a spectacle I'd been waiting for several months now and finally it arrived.

I'm not really a big anime fan or gaming enthusiast. In fact I felt just a little bit fraudulent waiting in the long snaking queue surrounded by excited individuals and groups decked out in their amazing character costumes.

Still, the waiting was worth it for a front row seat and the privileged of seeing our daughter perform on stage heralding in AVCon 2017 with the story of Ayvee and Switch


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Heralding AVcon', 1/40s f/2.8 ISO2000 200mm

It's almost a play on words but I don't really think it works. Regardless, these mushrooms can be found on the side of the Adelaide Convention Center about half way up the building on the north western corner.

I had just arrived for the opening celebrations of AVCON, the Adelaide Anime and Gaming Convention 2017. It was a few minutes before sunset, almost every photographers 'dream time' and there they were, ten meters above me basking in that golden glow.

I nearly let that moment pass by but something drew may camera out of the bag for those fleeting moments before bright turned to pastel, turned to pale and and then grey.

If you ever visit the Adelaide Convention Center, look up and admire those unconventional mushrooms.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Unconventional Mushrooms', 1/250s f/3.5 ISO100 200m

... adieu and thank you.

Photo: Robert Rath, '... adieu and thank you'

This weekend just past was one of the saddest days for our family,
the end of a generation,
the end of an era.

Mum, you were one who kept us all connected, you supported our life projects,
and you made it your business to make sure we all made the little things important.

You leave behind demanding boots to fill for all of us.

We love you, I love you, may you now rest in peace.

Patricia, 1932-2017

Photo: Robert Rath, 'Patricia, 1932-2017'

A sliver of yellow algae wrests in the broken shells of a gritty Henley Beach.

With winter now here our beaches will be scored of their summer sand revealing the shellgrit below.

The carpet of broken shells makes for interesting images but it not so kind on bare feet.

I don't mind at all when it makes for sunsets like this.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Golden Algae', 1/3.2s f/20 ISO640 14mm

Every Autumn I get to admire the amazing colours of the liquid amber tree my mother's garden.

I don't remember the colours changing from green, to yellow, to orange.

At least I got to see them these last days of autumn before winter's chilly winds sweep them away.

Photo: Robert Rath, 'Last Days of Autumn', 1/3200s f/14 ISO640 100mm

Pick a funky graffiti adorned laneway in the heart of Melbourne.

Fill it with music, wine and food.

Watch the party unfold!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Hosier Lane', 1/800s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

It's as if a rolling wave has come in from the ocean, traveled over the sand and grass and stopped just short of Henley Square.

Somewhere in it's travels this wave transitioned from water to wood, solidifying like a standing wave on a base guitar string.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Water to Wood', 1s f/5.6 ISO800 15mm

As the yet another gorgeous Henley Beach evening begins with a beautiful setting sun, up and down the beach I see people with phones in hand and cameras on tripods. It's good to see people enjoying moments like these.

As soon as that sun dipped below the horizon most put their phones away and turned their backs on the the changing sky of twilight. Only one or two stalwarts took the time to watch the visual feast that was sunset's encore.

Just just like waiting for the credits of a movie to end you never what surprises are in store. After the sun has gone show is never over.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'After the Sun has Gone', 1/4s f/5.6 ISO640 14mm

When the street music of the Adelaide Fringe have faded to barely remembered echos you don't have to go to far to get back into that festival feel.

We took a whirlwind weekend to visit Melbourne in the midst of the Comedy Festival and the street music was alive and jam'n.

I never got his name nor lingered long but this exponent of Saxuality, playing in his very own personal space, made this space and this saxual moment special.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'A Saxual Moment', 1/2000s f/2.8 ISO320 140mm

When I see an amazing setting sun sky unfolding in the western sky I immediately think of the our beautiful coastline and the ocean beyond.

How fortunate we were today to be elsewhere this evening!

Following a beautiful day with my family we spontaneously decided to visit Penfolds Magill Estate nestled in the Adelaide foothills for some cheese, wine and a view of the Adelaide plains below.

This was my first visit to what might be called the shrine of 'Grange Hermitage', Australia most famous wine. It was quite something seeing on display a full collection of Grange from its first clandestine 1951 vintage though to 2012.

Then as we were about to leave the sky lit up a fiery yellow and orange as the sun dipped into the vineyard.

How fortunate were we to be somewhere else this evening?


Photo: Robert Rath, 'A Penfolds Sunset', 1/500s f/5 ISO160 200mm

This amazing mess of red and crimson is destined for greatness, albeit an ephemeral greatness.

The purple black texted surface is a floating raft of grape skins and seeds.

The stream of red fluid is the juice of the shiraz fruit crushed a few days before.

What is actually taking place here is this fermenting vat of grape juice, skins and seeds is receiving its twice daily stirring.

The juice (gradually becoming wine) is drawn from below the raft of skins ('the must') and pumped back into the vat. The winemaker's job here is to work the flow over the entire surface to help infuse the tannins, the colour and the complex flavors of the skins and seeds back into the fermenting juice.

The stirring will go on for 7 to 10 days while the yeast works its 'grape juice into wine' magic. Every day the juice sits fermenting the winemaker will taste the wine and make adjustments to the process. At the end the entire vat, the juice and the must and the fallen gum tree leaves will be basket pressed and then barreled for the next part of this wine's amazing journey.

If this years vintage is good enough, and the twinkle in the winemakers's eyes suggests it is, this fermenting red and crimson mess will become Rockford's 2017 Basket Press Shiraz.

I am already looking forward to enjoying a bottle of this wine in perhaps 10 years from now (if I can wait that long).


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Filling Rockford's Basket', 1/400s f/14 ISO2500 14mm

For two days we searched the Golden Triangle, central Victoria, for just a little of that elusive colour.

That intoxicating lust the old timers must have felt was almost palpable here in a region which has given millions over the last 150 years.

Alas despite all our brazen confidence only Mark found the tiniest piece of gold barely larger than the echidna's face on our five cent coin.

It's more than enough however to make sure we come back and try again!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Echidna and the Gold', 20s f/16 ISO320 100mm+8mm Ext

Of all the little details that go into preparing for graduation day, the hair, the gown, the tam, ...

it would seem that shoes really do maketh the grad!

So proud of my beautiful wife on her doctoral graduation and of course of her choice of shoes for this special occasion!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Shoes Maketh The Grad', 1/20s f/4.5 ISO800 145mm

Where do you find a bustling fisherman's wharf market with not a fish to be found?

I am sure if you looked hard enough, if you trawled long enough, if you ferreted through each and every eclectic stall you just might find an ornamental brass Murray Cod or a blown glass Mulloway.
If you are looking for fresh fish here you will be disappointed.

If on the other hand you just want to mosey from stall to stall and explore then the Fisherman's Wharf Market at Port Adelaide might just be the market for you.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'No Fish in This Fisherman's Market', 0.3s f/8 ISO160 14mm

Does a sunset have to have the sun in it? Surely if the sun has set then it will not be visible. Perhaps the more traditional images of setting suns should be called sun settings.

I have come to love that time well after the sun has set below the horizon but still lighting up the sky with it's golden fire. This is my kind of sunset.

Today we were fortunate enough to be in one of the Barossa Valley's most beautiful locations, the Steingarten Vineyard, when the sun and clouds and timing all converged to this spectacular mural of gold and blue and grey.

This is my kind of sunset.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'My Kind of Sunset', 1/25s f/8 ISO160 14mm

It was a cold, wet and miserable quarter past six and I was about to leave for work. One last glance to check I had everything then on a whim I grabbed my camera despite thinking it would not get used.

The as I passed by the old Goldsborough Mort woolen stores in Port Adelaide this happened!

With no time to spare and nowhere to park I drove up onto the footpath, grabbed my camera and captured this beautiful double rainbow over these wonderful old heritage listed buildings.

What a lovely reminder just how interesting a place 'The Port' is, how I should grab my camera a little more often and leave just a little bit earlier, ... because something extraordinary might just happen on the way.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Goldsborough Morning', 1/60s f/5.6 ISO160 15mm

Even in the stormy evening light the Grange Kiosk appears warm and cosy.

As much as I would have liked to have had dinner here tonight we made do with a couple of drinks at the Grange Hotel before heading home for a wholesome kitchen cooked meal.

Our Indian summer seems to be finally over now and places like the Grange Kiosk will need to keep their warm and cosy atmospheres to bring us back in the coming months.

Unless of course it's just for a photograph.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Grange Kiosk', 1/6s f/7.1 ISO160 14mm

We should never have had to remember ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Lest We Forget', 1/25s f/2.8 ISO320 165mm

The sun and its golden glow had long since disappeared beyond the western horizon. You could be forgiven for thinking the sunset was over.

Looking high up into the eastern sky however the golden orange light of a west bound sun still clung to the clouds.

There amidst that orange glow a waning gibbous moon shone incongruous in an evening sky.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Lunar Sunset', 1/800s f/5 ISO320 200mm

Yesterday I was treated to an amazing concert performed by a group I have only recently discovered, Snarky Puppy.

If you are a fan of modern jazz music you probably already know of Snarky Puppy and their music. For me however their performance in the Melbourne Recital Centre was a real eye (ear) opener.

Here lead guitarist Mark Lettieri epitomizes the sense of fun and brilliant musicianship exuded by all nine members of the band. I have never seen a band on stage loving what they are doing and having an absolutely ball about it they way Snarky Puppy did.

I'm still not a convert to jazz but Snarky Puppy have peaked my interest for more.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Mark Lettieri, Snarky Puppy', 1/200s f/2.8 ISO2500 120mm

My experiences diving with Southern Eagle Rays (Myliobatis australis) have all been fleeting affairs.

Timid and never lingering they always seem to glide into view and the off into the distance with no real opportunity to get a feel for their beautiful form and grace. This ray under Rapid Bay jetty last weekend was not different.

It came from behind, swooping past my right shoulder, swam across my vision from right to left then swam out into the sea grass beds. I tried to follow but there did no seem any point as it almost disappeared into the gloom.

Then I noticed a sweeping dark shape head back under the jetty again and head back towards me.

I got one chance for an image as the eagle ray swam straight towards me, suddenly realised I was in its path and then shoot off again into the distance.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Lone Eagle', 1/125s f/14 ISO320 15mm

Summer might be over but the Rapid Bay afternoon sun still has enough sting to burn quite badly.

Out of the water there is not much shelter from the sun unless you know of places like this secret little grotto on the western side of the old jetty.

There's another one down the beach at the eastern end which heads so far into the hillside that both sight and sound are completely lost to the daylight world.

Exploring treasures like this reminds me that childhood adventures never actually need to come to an end.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Sheltered Treasure', 1/800s f/10 ISO100 15mm

During the climax of one of Adele's most beloved songes the arena burst into a ticker tape shower. Little snippets of paper with hand written messages flittered into the crowd, into the stands and out into the parklands beyond the stadium.

"hello", "Twas your song through every open door" and "... to stand in your arms without falling to your feet" were just some of those notes.

Even out here in the parklands, As her hand written notes fluttered to the ground, fans sought just a little of her to take home their very own message from Adele.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Message From Adele', 1/15s f/2.8 ISO2500 100mm

I really like the moon when it's not a full circle. The shadows on the horizon are often quite stunning in highlighting the lunar mountains and creating a real three dimensional presence.

A few days before last night's full moon I decided to revisit the technical challenge of a half reasonable moon shot with an inexpensive camera.

The idea is quite simple. Take fifty or more identical images of the moon in in quick succession, like a sports photographer machine gunning for the perfect moment. The difference is that here there is no perfect moment.

Every image will be a tiny bit different as the atmosphere seethes and twists and curls craters and mountains like a bubbling cauldron or like a distant car shimmering indistinctly on a hot open road.

Combine all those images in just the right way and it is possible put those craters and mountain and lunar features back into their true locations.

Does the process make this image truth or creation? Now there's a question ... for another time.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Waxing Gibbous', 1/60s f/22 ISO100 600mm

I love living with a Western horizon hemmed by sea.

There is something very special about the sun setting over the ocean. There is a completeness to the day.

To watch as the sun moves on to be replaced by the twilight and then the starlight is to have the day's wrinkles smoothed over by the softness of the darkening sky.
It feels right to linger, to ponder and then retire for the evening with another beautiful day complete.

Every night another delight in the western sky.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Western Delight', 1/1250s f/7.1 ISO100 165mm

A rush of water fills the basket then stops, silent for a moment. The gaps seems to last forever.

Then it starts again, the pressure building, the hot water teasing out the oils with their precious flavors.

Next a little trickle, chance deciding which side will appear first before becoming a wriggling pair of golden brown tails.

Thirty seconds later it's all over, the puck spent and the machine silent. Only the rich coffee aroma remains as a reminder of the moment passed.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Espresso', 30s f/16 ISO100 100mm