Robert's Ramblings

Even in the murkiest of conditions the spell of the Leafy Sea Dragon completely dissipates the gloom leaving us to marvel in wonder.

All the effort, the preparation of the gear, the long drive, the poor visibility, the current and the strong surge seem just a distant memory down here.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 833, DragonSpell', 1/100s f8 ISO320 15mm

Most of my environmental portraits have a connection with the ocean and the experience of being immersed in something we love to do; dive!

I jokingly named this diver 'Dives With Sponges' after an old Kevin Costner movie but his real name is Herbert, a German friend come to Adelaide and Rapid Bay specifically to dive with and photograph our Leafy Sea Dragons.

The visibility for Herbet's dives here was very poor ranging from 1-3m over the dives we did. However we we not disappointed with the Leafys we found.

As for this image, it was nearly called 'Dives In Sponges' instead.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 832, Dives With Sponges', 1/100s f11 ISO320 15mm

How small and alone our star seems in the daytime sky. Yet light enough it has for all.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 831, Lone Star', 1/800s f10 ISO100 15mm

How many times have you heard the expression, 'I don't do selfies!'.

Well I didn't use to but once I got the idea that it's all about sharing context I decided selfies are not so bad after all.

Especially when it's what I love doing!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 830, Selfie', 1/200s f11 ISO640 15mm

Seeing 'Red' is always much better when it's a beautiful Adelaide sunset.

You might think such a sight would lift the stress from the day and ease the mind into a relaxed evening.

For me the experience is very different. The width of the sun in the sky is around 0.5 degrees of arc and of course we all know that the earth rotates 360 degrees in a day so that means that the total time it takes for the sun to move from its radius above the horizon to fully disappear is only 3 minutes. That's 3 minutes of stress for me creating the image or images I feel best conveys the the uniqueness of the sunset.

Sometimes depending on the atmospheric conditions the sunset can linger on for a little longer as the suns rays are curved around the earth through refraction.

This time it just dipped below the horizon leaving me simply sea'ing red.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 829, I Sea Red', 1/800s f14 ISO100 310mm

Today I went to the Oaklands Park train station to pick up my daughter at a pre-determined time.

Arriving early I decided to capture a few images.

It seemed odd there was no one around.
It seemed odd I had not been chased from the tracks by trains.
It seemed all too quiet when suddenly my daughter tapped me on the shoulder from behind.

The train station was closed today ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 828, Train Station Closed', 1/40s f8 ISO100 40mm

As I stood gazing into yet another magical Adelaide sunset a lady came up to me exclaiming about how beautiful the sky was and how it reminded her of a sermon her priest gave about being grateful for God's sunsets.

As we stood there together I pointed out the amazingly delicate nuances of light and colour and then the transit of a jet whose trails twisted into a spiral of cloud and ice. 'Oh' she said, 'you have better eyes than mine' and her disinterest in what was actually unfolding in front of us was cast into palpable relief.

At that moment I understood how different our experience of this sunset really was.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 827, Twisted', 1/30s f8 ISO400 400mm

This magical mushroom appeared at the end of a wonderful evening with fantastic friends at Tiros Restaurant; Tafe's training restaurant at their Regency Park campus.

Full as we were, the saying holds true, there is always room for dessert!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 826, Magic Mushroom', 1/25s f5.6 ISO1600 40mm

It would have been nice if we could have seen the full lunar eclipse here in Adelaide tonight.

It was absolutely awesome that the moon was just beginning to re-emerge as it peeped above the eastern horizon of the Adelaide Hills flanked by the white tower of Mount Lofty Summit and it's adjacent peaks.

What am amazingly surreal moonrise. Made me feel like we were on someone else's planet.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 825, Whose Planet Is This?', 1/1000s f3.5 ISO100 200mm

I never grow tired of messages on t-shirts.

When I see a frivolous remark, a bawdy comment, a nerdish in-joke or a deep insight brazenly displayed by someone in public I am reminded how important our diversity really is.

I am also reminded how important it is to celebrate my own.

... Now, what to wear tomorrow?!


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 824, Wise Words', 1/1000s f3.5 ISO100 200mm

I'm not sure whether to cite the smooth vocals of Elizabeth Rallis of local band 'Liquified Grooves' or the challenges of shooting into a bad light open window as a backdrop.

Frustration turned to play as I realised there's more than one way to deal with difficult light.

In the end I abandoned the bad light, settled back with a drink and enjoyed the music instead.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 823, Rallis', 1/1250s f2.8 ISO640 200mm

Has the DJ gone AWOL or just having a break?

In either case the Mac's queue is deep and should keep us going for as long as the DJ is offline.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 822, Offline DJ', 1/10s f2.8 ISO3200 200mm

An incoming wave starts to build giving every clue it will deliver something more.

I time the moment, click, another few seconds then the shutter opens.

The surge rushes towards were I am standing and I jump back leaving the camera amid a swirl of salty white streaked water; shutter open.

As the water recedes I follow it back, camera high and dry above a drowned tripod.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Day 821, Risky Business', 8s f14 ISO160 15mm

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