Robert's Ramblings

Still exploring this scarred landscape and trying to make sense of what burned and what did not.

Tomorrow we will help put restoration in motion.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Burnt Out Creek, 1/80s f/8 ISO640 17mm

I am still not sure what I think about the 'Gold Class' cinema experience.

The idea of having a late supper and sipping wine while lounging under the 2D gaze of Matthew McConaughey or Cate Blanchett seems disrespectful towards the actors as much as the other cinema guests.

I'm sure I could get used to it though.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Gold Class Exodus, 0.6s f/11 ISO160 15mm

You almost never hear of people on the beach getting angry when a guy or girl sets up a camera in front of them. I do however see the analogy to a surfer dropping in on your perfect set.

Sunsets are a little like that perfect set. There may only be a brief few minutes where the scene is just perfect.

After watching this woman for a minute or two I came to the conclusion her telephoto lens would not notice my intrusion so I dropped in on her.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'She Takes Photographs, 1/160s f/16 ISO100 15mm

Lurking in the garden is a beautiful creature who spins her web every night to rid us of those pesky mosquitoes.

The Garden Orb Weaver is actually a collected name for several species of spiders with similar body shape and behavior. Yes she is beautiful but only from a distance as anyone who inadvertently walks into one of her webs will attest to just how quickly that distance can be achieved.

It might be wishful thinking to hope she keeps the mosquito population down but I sure do like seeing her in our garden.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Lurking in the Garden, 1/100s f/16 ISO1250 100mm 2x Off Camera Strobes

I am not sure what these spikey things found washed along our local shore are or where they come from.

They do however remind me of the tumbleweeds from old western movies only spikier.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Beach Tumbleweed, 1s f/22 ISO100 15mm

I've always wanted to capture a dragonfly in mid flight. I never thought my first dragonfly image would be a victim of a much larger tragedy.

I can only imagine this poor creature flew into this cobwebbed shed to escape the heat of the encroaching fire only to be caught in these black soot encrusted webs.

Mid flight being its final resting place.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Caught In An Ashen Web, 1/60s f/4.5 ISO2000 200mm

One week later and after 40mm of rain this once beautiful section of forest along the Kersbrook Road resembles something from another post apocalyptic planet.

Gaping trenches where tree roots have burned away.

Ash washed into gutters and fresh clay exposed by the rain.

Smouldering steam and smokey memories waft from rents in the earth where the fire has retreated and continues to burn.

Thank you for the rain.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Ash, Rain, Clay and Smoke, 1/60s f/8 ISO640 17mm

Last night I got into an animated conversation involving the merits or not of building our new Torrens Riverbank Footbridge completed and opened back in June 2014.

The conversation had many facets including cost, aesthetics, utility and return on investment.

To me the benefits a creating something beautiful are subtle and intangible but extremely important regardless of the utility.

I love it.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Eye of the Beholder', 6s f/11 ISO320 17mm

Smile for the camera he said.

Smile she did basked in the golden light of this amazing spectacle.

Her silhouette will be remembered forever though her smile would never be seen again.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Golden Smile', 0.6s f/18 ISO100 15mm

My fascination with contrails appears to have no sign of letting up.

I love the beautiful white plumes seen in the middle of the day. I love the burnt orange trails in the last rays of sunlight after sunset.

These black contrails however had an almost ominous mystique. Better still I got experience it both ways.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Both Ways', 1/50s f/7.1 ISO160 200mm

SAS Operative: Let me see your number plates.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: You don't need to see their number plates

SAS Operative: We don't need to see their umber plates

Obi-Wan Kenobi: These aren't the bikes you're looking for.

SAS Operative: These aren't the bikes we're looking for.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: They can go about their business.

SAS Operative: You can go about your business.

Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: Move along.

SAS Operative: Move along... move along.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'These Aren't The Bikes We're Looking For', 1/800s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

There are a couple of big round rocks outside the InterContinental Hotel on North Terrace.

Apart from an interesting subject they reminded me of a line from a Douglas Adams book ...

"We’ll be saying a big hello to all intelligent lifeforms everywhere and to everyone else out there, the secret is to bang the rocks together, guys." - "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," Douglas Adams

Perhaps these are a little big for any any earthly lifeforms but who knows out there in our galaxy and beyond could use a little help because ...

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space." - "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,"

My apologies to to all those out who are not Douglas Adams fans, you will need smaller rocks.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Banging The Rocks Together', 6.0s f/16 ISO640 15mm

I just could not help myself but now that my 1000 days project is over I will be dropping the day count.

For now it will just be images I share.

Looking far to the Southwest through the haze is first the Myponga Peninsula and then The Fleurieu Peninsula some 90km distant.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Looking to the Southwest', 1/25s f/7.1 ISO160 200mm

What is it to set a goal, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and then finally find yourself at its manifestation?

When I began this project it was a simple but ambitious '365 Days' project with a twist, 2012 had 366 of them. At its completion the once audacious goal seemed to become something far less than its original design. 366 days became 1000, my goal had just expanded and the project gained a new life.

Now I find myself at the end of 1000 images and the palpable déjà vu of being here before. What next? A new goal like Thomas Hawk's 'one million published images' might be a little too hairy to contemplate but I will create something to keep me driven and practice this amazing craft we once called photography.

Thank you to everyone who supported me in this project and especially my wife Jennifer and the countless hours of imaging, editing and posting that she graciously allowed and supported. Support is important and without it I would not have reached 1000.

So here it is, image number 1000. A selfie taken at my favorite location Henley Beach Jetty along with my very first attempt at light painting.

It may not be beautiful but I am happy to have a little fun to finish with.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 1000, One Thousand', 35s f/16 ISO100 15mm


Stay tuned .... the show is far from over!

I had the most amazing shot in mind for day 999 but .... Humbug Scrub caught fire.

At first I thought the billowing white cloud above Adelaide was some strange storm cloud but soon it became apparent it was anything but natural.

Today was hot, 44degC hot, and all morning the catastrophic fire warnings were being repeated for all of the Adelaide Hills. For Hills dwellers a fire like this is always on theirs minds during our summer and today the worst appears to have happened.

I've not heard of any injuries to people so far and I hope it stays that way while fire crews do their best to bring it under control.

Just to put some perspective on this bushfire, this image was taken from Rapid Bay Jetty, nearly 100km away to the South.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 999, Humbug Scrub Bushfire', 1/800s f/7.1 ISO100 200mm

An impromptu takeaway meal, rugs on the sand, a refreshing swim in the salty ocean and a few images to capture the moments unfolding.

The end of the first day of the year and what better place to spend it than on a balmy Henley Beach with my girls.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 998, My Beach Babes', 1/125s f/2.8 ISO1600 145mm

Thank you to everyone who made 2014 an amazing year.

For my family it has meant travel, discovery, learning new skills, leveraging old ones, celebrating milestones and being grateful for all we have.

It has been a year of solving problems and planning futures, making new friends and reacquainting with old ones.

Once again, thank you everyone for your friendship and your generosity of spirit and we wish you all the very best for 2015.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 997, Bringing On 2015 Over Adelaide', 1.3s f/7.1 ISO160 200mm

Here is is what our home town looks like in the dead of night!

Beautiful Adelaide under the Southern Cross of the southern skies.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 996, Under The Southern Cross', 6s f/9 ISO320 17mm

I am sure I'd not find anyone who would disagree on the grace and beauty of black swans.

There was once a time when I thought that swans were white until as a small child I came across a postage stamp in my mum's stamp collection.
This 1954 commemorative stamp was adorned with a black swan to commemorate Western Australia's first stamp in 1854, the one penny black swan.

Since that childhood revelation, to me the black swan is not only a creature of grace and beauty but also one of mystery and discovery.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 995, Black Beauties', 1/160s f/2.8 ISO2500 200mm

Ever wondered how in these virtually black retail decors the merchandise is always brightly lit and full of texture and colour?

Well I do and I have to say I love the effect almost as much as I love vibrant colour.

T2 has yet again a perfect example with a tea set perfect for fruit tisane.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 994, The Colour of Fruit Tisane', 1s f/11 ISO640 15mm

But who's eyes are you?

This guy is probably a masked stingaree (Trygonoptera personata) but it is hard to tell with all that sand and shell-grit.

Whoever's eyes you are we stared at each other for some time before both going our separate ways.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 993, Eye See You', 1/100s f/11 ISO100 100mm

Photographing the gurnard perch would have to be the low hanging fruit of a Rapid Bay Jetty midnight dive.

They sit there on the sand at the start and end of the dive and let themselves be photographed from any angle you want.

Not the prettiest fish among the amazing diversity of life under the jetty but beautiful all the same and a great subject to practice fish portraiture.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 992, Fish Portraiture', 1/100s f/11 ISO100 100mm

There is something special about a beautifully set table.

Regardless if it is Christmas dinner with family, an evening dinner party with acquaintances or wine tasting with friends, the setting tells all in attendance that this is an event to be remembered.

What one actually sets the table with however is really just a matter of taste, shiraz, grenach, fiano, ... ...

Thanks to the attentive staff at Olivers's Taranga Vineyards for a fun tasting experience and our good friends Wayne and Christine for inviting us.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 991, A Matter of Taste', 1/1250s f/2.8 ISO100 90mm

As a child I always preferred silver over gold for its understated beauty and its lack of being tarnished with any colour.

Oh how things have changed with the burnt yellow-gold of a sunset on the water becoming my most favourite colour.

Silver still lingers in the whites and greys of the twilight surf but that gold on stranger tides has my heart now.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 990, On Stranger Tides', 1/125s f/14 ISO1600 15mm

This place always feels so desolate even when it is packed with cars and every large shopping centre has one just like this one.

The dungeon of car parks.
Some places with shops above.
Some places with more car parking above.
Always at the bottom.
Always glad to leave.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 989, Retail Dungeon', 1.6s f/14 ISO160 15mm

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the square
Not a creature was stirring, there was nobody there.
All the presents were laid 'neath the tree with great care,
But with no Christmas lights 'twas completely bare.


I never expected to see our city's beautiful Christmas tree completely in the dark, let alone photograph it but here it is.

I knew something was wrong as I approached Victoria Square. It was dark and all the traffic lights were out. My initial reaction was disappointment. After all I had made a special trip into the City just for this image. I even drove off and waited for a while to see if the power was restored. A second time I was disappointed and about to drive home when it suddenly dawned on me, what an opportunity to show something special.

So here it is, our city's unadorned Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 988, Unadorned Christmas', 120s f/13 ISO160 15mm

There is nothing like a wall for making a public statement and in this case a sanctioned graffiti wall in a highly visible location under the Morphett Street Bridge.

Thousands of people drive past Bad Santa every day. Does anyone wonder what Bad Santa uses his 'Naughty List' for? Perhaps they will be getting present to this year!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 987, Bad Santa', 2.5 f/9 ISO160 70mm

Get close, get even closer. Still not close enough. Get closer still but don't touch or else that bull in a china shop just might be my camera.

Now, butterfly tea anyone?


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 986, Butterfly Tea', 2s f/14 ISO640 15mm

Some images you could never capture even if you planned for them. Keeping a camera at the ready for the 'unplanned' has produced some wonderful gems.

While heading home tonight I decided to swing past the beach, just for a look but never planning to stop and before I new it I had pulled over and was down on the sand with my camera.

Usually I use a tripod for beach landscapes but this time I was too rushed and so went hand-held. What a fortuitous turn! If I'd been lumbered with a tripod I'd never have captured this image of the 'Wall Walker' on my way back to the car.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 985, She Walks on Walls', 1/80s f/13 ISO1000 15mm

I really can't help but anthropomorphize people traits into animals I interact with.

When this little sparrow looked at me like this the word quizzical popped into my head as I wonder if the sparrow is doing this same with me.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 984, Quizzical', 1/10s f/16 ISO160 15mm