In the last couple of weeks I have been blessed with opportunities to photograph a variety of birds on my own property in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia)
It is a slow process to digitize all my film negatives that I have in storage from my days of using my Olympus 35 mm camera, as well as the Kodak Instamatic Camera, back in the period of the 1970s to 1980s. It is a fun project I have thrown myself into!
Part 5
Here are a couple of pics that I snapped in the 1970s:
‘Cows’ – outback Victoria, Australia‘Car Wrecks’ – outback Victoria, Australia
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BABA DESI
‘Desi, Remaining Strong!’
Yesterday I caught up with my friend Desi (93) in the morning in the township of Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).
‘Baba Desi’ – 16 July, 2022 – Photo by John Weeks
Baba Desi is a true local of the Dandenong Rangers in Victoria (Australia), a colourful character, filled with passion about life. He is Belgrave’s very own ‘Wizard’. At close to ninety-four years of age, he is a strong believer of people power, in short, he is an Activist, ‘born to fight for Justice’ as quoted in the mainstream press. If there is a social justice cause to fight for, or to lend a supporting presence, he is generally there in the front line, with his distinctive colourful clothing and ornate walking stick. I always enjoy having conversations with Desi. I meet up with him regularly around the shops of Belgrave; and during our long conversations we usually solve the problems of the world, as activists sometimes do….
Thank you, Desi, for allowing me to regularly photograph you …… John Weeks.
The community response to the above photo of Desi:
Amelia V. > Looking good Baba Desi Janice W. > What a great picture!! France S. > Good man! Baba Desi. Nice photo …. Terri C. > Time for another hair,beard and brow trim Des …see you next week. Kerry P. > He is such a great character of Belgrave. Thanks for sharing a great happy picture of him Bet B. > Thank you for sharing this! Trish B. > Wow that is such a great photo of a treasured icon . He Looks so well Sandra B. > Love this! Lena G. > What a great picture!, baba desi is an icon
‘Flinders Street Station’ – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – 2005 – Photo by John Weeks
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FINALLY
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.
The photo below is a recent pic I had snapped at my garden in Belgrave (Belgrave, Australia)
‘Blue Cornflower’
As always, I am very grateful for the comments I had received on social media.
Comments:
Liz F. > Stunning 💜💜💜 Ian W. > Beautiful Judith L. > Stunning colour John Colin P. > So vivid colour…what is it? Rosemary D. > It’s a cornflower. I planted some in Autumn, so come Spring I can take photos. Christine U. > Beautiful flower, thanks for sharing John. Lyn C. > Beautiful John, such a lovely colour. Clare R. > Stunning Margaret W. > That’s so pretty Jenny H. > Beautiful shot
Here are two photos that I had snapped in the past:
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PUFFING BILLY, TRAIN OF LIGHTS
Photographer, Kathie Thomas and I had been invited by Puffing Billy to photograph their dress rehearsal night for their Train of Lights event (to be active during the school holidays, June/July. It was a volunteers only night. I travelled on the train in the media carriage (with the crew of Channel Nine TV), whilst Kathie positioning herself on specific viewable roadside spots, adjacent to the railway track. (I joined her on the return trip from Gembrook to Lakeside in Emerald (Victoria, Australia). I edited 120 photos out of approx. 600.
Belgrave (Puffing Billy) railway station is situated in Belgrave, a suburb of Melbourne in the Australian state of Victoria. It is the inner terminal of the famous Puffing Billy heritage steam railway.
Belgrave (Puffing Billy) is adjacent to, and forms an interchange with, Belgrave suburban railway station, which is the outer terminal of the Belgrave line of Melbourne’s broad gauge (5 ft 3in) electric suburban network. The suburban station is accessible via a short footpath. Before this station was built, the original narrow gauge line ran from the original site of the narrow-gauge station (approximately where the existing Metro station car park is) to Selby station.
Here are 3 photos I wish to share:
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BELGRAVE LANTERN PARADE
The Belgrave Lantern Festival, in Victoria, Australia, is an annual celebration of the winter solstice, through community and creativity with a display of hundreds of homemade lanterns. The event takes place in the main street of Belgrave from around 5pm – 7:30pm and attracts thousands of visitors.
Here is a photo that I snapped last night:
Belgrave Lantern Parade 2022
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NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT
PART 4
It is a slow process to digitize all my film negatives that I have in storage from my days of using my Olympus 35 mm camera, as well as the Kodak Instamatic Camera, back in the period of the 1970s to 1980s. It is a fun project I have thrown myself into!
Here is another photo I had snapped back in the 1970s:
‘Walking On The Rocks’ – near Mentone, Victoria, Australia.
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OLD CAMERAS
PART 5
Zeiss Ikon Camera Source: Time magazine, 8 August 1960
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PUFFING BILLY TRAIN
Here is another photo I had snapped the other night …
Puffing Billy Train
FINALLY
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.
I visited the Braeside Wetlands this morning to photographed birds in the wild. I was joined by fellow photographer Kathie Thomas.
Braeside Park Wetlands Circuit trail provides visitors with a number of wetlands viewing opportunities and to observe the many varied bird species that reside in the park. The trail travels through open Red Gum and Manna Gum bushland area to the north east of the wetlands, with more grassy vegetation along the south western edge. Source: Park Vic https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/wetland-circuit-trail
Sadly, there were few birds about this morning, however I was absolutely delighted to see a beautiful fox nearby. Here are two photos (among others) I had snapped of this wild creature:
Fox running at Braeside Wetlands
There have been very few opportunities that I was able to photograph foxes in the wild. Here are two photos I had snapped in 2018:
Foxes fighting. Location: Upwey, Victoria, Australia. 16 July 2018. Ref. 1886Two foxes at my neighbour’s backyard in Belgrave, Victoria, Australia. 24 March, 2018. Ref. 1578.
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BIRDS AT BRAESIDE WETLANDS
Despite the seemingly lack of a huge amount of bird life around, we walked around the Wetlands circuit, approx 5 kms or so (I was informed that equates to over 10,000 steps today!), I did manage to snapped many photos of the bird life that was seen. Here are a couple photos of mine:
Tawny FrogmouthsGreat Egret
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Birds Sighted today:
Black Swan Gray Teal Chestnut Teal Blue-billed Duck Australasian Grebe Spotted Dove Common Bronzewing Crested Pigeon Tawny Frogmouth Dusky Moorhen Eurasian Coot Australasian Swamphen Silver Gull Little Pied Cormorant Australian Pelican Great Egret White-faced Heron Australian Ibis Eastern Rosella Rainbow Lorikeet Superb Fairywren Noisy Miner Brown Thornbill Gray Butcherbird Australian Magpie Gray Fantail Magpie-lark Little Raven Welcome Swallow Common Myna Eurasian Blackbird Red-browed Firetail
(Thank you, Kathie Thomas, for the bird list)
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MY PHOTOS PUBLISHED IN INDIA
A few years ago I travelled around India, particularly in Kolkata (Calcutta), and one of the many subjects that I challenged myself with was photographing popular singer, Christopher Lobo, at the many venues that he was performing at. I gave Christopher a whole lot of photos of mine for him to use in his publicity and media activities. I am delighted that he is using many of these photos to this day. Here is an example of such use:
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.
The Possums left the lemons but ate the peel/rind at my home garden in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).
For overseas readers to this Newsletter, Possums eat the leaves, flowers and fruits of a wide variety of native and exotic trees and shrubs. The Common Brushtail Possum may also eat grass, fungi, bird’s eggs and baby birds. Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is about the size of a cat. It has large pointed ears, grey fur and a bushy black tail. (https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au)
Here is a photo that I snapped last year (March 24) of a Ringtail Possum.
‘Ringtail Possum’
In respect to the ‘lemon’ photo (above), here are some of the comments I received on social media in the last couple of days:
Jenny K. > They ate the leaves on my lemon tree John Weeks, Author > Destructive little buggers! Great to photograph though. Wendy W. > Maybe hungry little buggers? Sure they weren’t doing it to be spiteful and they have been here long before any of us. John Weeks > Absolutely, Wendy! Andy P. > They do that here too, the question is, would you use the peeled lemons? John Weeks > Nope! There are plenty more lemons on the tree. Marina D. > Crumbs, they must be desperate if they’re eating lemon pith Lorena C. > Devils!! John Weeks > haha Bernadette S. > They are not silly…the pith and peel is where most vitamins and minerals including high antioxidants and immune boosters. Why do you think citrus peel is the main component of Hydroxychloroquine? Animals know so much more than we do about staying healthy through winter. John Weeks > I couldn’t agree more, Bernadette. Chris J. > Bernadette Saulenier that’s why I have lemon with my tequila. Chris J. > For health reasons Bernadette S. > Chris, good on you, stick to your story. Chris J. > lol Chris J. > Put flashing solar lights on your tree. They won’t touch it. Joan B. > Possums or Rats ? John Weeks > Nah.. it’s possums. I see them do it and let them carry on. Plenty more lemons for me to choose from. Joan B. > Comforting to know it’s possums , l think l read somewhere that rats do it too. Kate L. > That’s amazing haha! They did such a good job. I would think they had peeled them just for me so I can put them on some sugar pancakes ☺️ teamwork. Sally W. > I used to live in Ferny Creek. I had the best grapefruit tree…. the possums did the same with the peel! John Weeks > They sure got fine tastes, Sally. Colin P. > That was thoughtful of him John Weeks > That’s what I thought too, Colin. Tanya C. > The possums did this to our last lot of lemons. I must go & strip the latest lot of lemons from our tree before the possums get them again. I’ll squeeze the juice from them & freeze it. Bernadette S. > Maybe leave the peels out near the tree if you are not using them so they can enjoy them Tanya C. > Bernadette, good idea! John Weeks > You mean you are going to venture out in the freezing cold to pick the lemons. Brrrr! Tanya C. > John, not tonight but I will tomorrow. Not that it will be much warmer. Jules L. > Helpful! Brunella C. > They made it easier for you Barry C. > They don’t touch ours Rhonda S. > They have been eating the rind of our Lisbon lemons for the past 6 years. The tree is huge and I get some lemons but I’m really peeved with the critters. John Weeks > That can be annoying alright, Rhonda. Jane G. > I wonder if leaving a wildlife safe net bunched up around the base of the tree at a distance they would find hard to jump might deter them?? Animals don’t like climbing on insecure things. Just a wild thought John Weeks > Jane, a good thought indeed! Thanks.. Debra S. > Yep – few years back they started eating the bark on the tree as well Just about killed it !!! So watch that you don’t take all the lemons off or they may start on the bark ! John Weeks > Debra, Good advice. Thanks. Alessandra P. > Debra, might be rats. Did that to our lime tree Lois R. > 😲 Ohhh naughty things!! Pam S. > Little devils – new fruit too I suppose Caroline B. > Bizarre! Our possums eat the inside of the oranges and leave all the peel. Linda S. > Caught them hovering about my Meyer lemon the other night, little buggers. If you have a dog that lives inside (or a friend with one) empty the vacuum cleaner bag around what you want to protect from possums and rabbits. The incursions stop straight away. May be an image of big cat and nature Femke K. > Linda, they’re hungry. Poor babies just need food. Linda S. > Femke, they are fat as. There’s loads of Lilly Pilly berries becoming ripe plus 2 acres of remnant bush they are able to eat whatever they like. I just don’t like sharing my lemons lol Femke K. > Linda, winter is a difficult time for them. They may be fat now. Sara G. > The ringtails on our property do that too 😂 you need brushtails, they’ll eat the rest of it. Sonia M. > Did you a favour; saved you peeling them. Gilly M. > Yes. Mine are like this too! Stephen R. > Yes mine too Nikki W. > Ours get eaten too, but they never touch the grapefruit right next to it. Cheryl L. > They do that to my lemons too, lol. Femke K. > They seem to do it when bush food is a little hard to find Michelle M. > Happens a lot here too. Kathleen A. > They do that to us too but leave the skinless lemons hanging on the tree! Ilze G. > How considerate! Sandra A. > Freeze the insides (after washing them maybe?) John Weeks > Sandra, I got a lot of lemons on my tree to choose from, Sandra. Sandra A. > John, lucky. We have a Maya that doesn’t get enough sun! So not much fruit. Fortunately our resident possums are brushies! David F. > It will be rats, I have watched them eat the peel off my Myer lemons. Janine S. > It’s winter, they need the vitamins I guess. Sarah M. > At least your possums won’t get scurvy. That’s a plus. Gerran W. > That’s happened to mine too. John H. > The recipe called for the “zest of a lemon” ! Tony T. > Ohhh those cheeky possums Alessandra P. > Rats debarked our lime tree John Weeks > Alessandra, not good. Wendy D. > They love the peel Paula E. > Mine too – I think it’s possums – they leave mine on the tree minus the peel Su R. > A little ringtail has been working on my lemons … draped them in wormwood and that seems to have kept her away for the moment… Suzanne W. > Ours too, but yours must be hungry little fur balls Meg J. > How maddening discerning of them Catherine E. > Yep, “ours” have been doing the same for months. So annoying!! They actually leave the skinless lemons hanging on the tree! Can’t work out if that’s kind or not! 😋 Gillian D. > B* possums! Nola M. > Possums or rats? John Weeks > Possums, Nola. Rosie B. > Yeah we always had possums eating the Lemon rinds on our tree Sue C. > They do that to mine too. John B. > A good possum will do that. Pamela L. > I like to share John Weeks > Pamela, sure thing Bruni A. > They won’t get scurvy John 😊 Nikky R. > That would be the Ringtail possums! They love lemon rind ❤️ John Weeks > yep! Nikky R. > John Weeks I love possums
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MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Currently I am going through a long and slow process of downsizing of what I have been collecting over the last 50 years, in particular, this week, my music cassette collection. Many of these cassettes can no longer be played so I had disposed them in the bin but before I did this I scanned the covers for memory sake.
One of things that I have been paying attention to is the photography that was applied to the cassette cover. So here are three examples of portraiture photography that was considered to highlight the music artists of these cassette albums. Sadly there was no credit for the photographers on the cassette cover.
‘Dionne Warwick – Friend In Love’‘The Best of Roberta flack’ – 1993‘Bonnie Tyler – Faster Than The Speed Of Night’
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NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT – Part 3
Sorting through thousands of negatives of photos that I had snapped in the period of 1970-1980s.
‘Crashing Wave’ – Victoria – 1970s
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OLD CAMERAS – 004
‘Leitz Leica’ – Time Magazine, 28 July 1958
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DOG PHOTOGRAPHY
Here are recent photos that I had snapped of my friends’ dogs:
‘Poppy’‘Max’‘Jenna’
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FINALLY
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.
I snapped this photo yesterday. These birds seem to be more present where I live (in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia) in this Autumn weather for some reason. I don’t mind. I love capturing these birds with my camera.
Here are a couple of photos I had snapped earlier this year …
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DIGITAL BOOKS
Currently I am in the process of producing various digital books showcasing aspects and themes of my photography.
For example:
After extensive journeying around Ireland on two occasions I recently began sorting through thousands of photos that I had snapped of that beautiful country, and have now produced three digital books in a pdf format.
Ireland 2007 Digital Books – Photography of John Weeks
Sorting through thousands of negatives of photos that I had snapped in the period of 1970-1980s.
Part 002
Near Mentone (Victoria), a path access which I regularly used to get down to the beach, usually on the weekend. My parents had a home unit five minutes walk to the beach. 14 April, 1980
MEERKAT
Who doesn’t like Meerkats?
The meerkat or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. The head-and-body length is around 24–35 cm, and the weight is typically between 0.62 and 0.97 kg. Wikipedia
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FINALLY
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.
I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive. By the way, check out my official website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography John Weeks, johnweekstraveller@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
I was born in Melbourne, Australia.
In 1996, I decided to become totally immersed in Community Radio and the music scene. And, of course, photography! And from these diverse mediums of communication and expression, I have been able to achieve a lifestyle full of creativity and inventiveness.
My photography has been featured on music websites, festival & concert promotional material, CD covers, music videos, and various projects on commission (eg town murals).
My photos have been published in such newspapers as The Guardian (UK), The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Free Press Trader, Maroondah Weekly, and The Yarra Ranges Weekly.
My philosophy in photography is that everything that is visible hides something that is invisible so photography for me is an act of discovery.
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THIS EVENING’S SUNSET
‘Tree In The Middle’
I snapped this photo of tonight’s sunset from my home in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).
An hour ago, I shared this pic on various platforms on social media. I was touched by the favourable comments I have received (and still receiving whilst writing up this Blog). Thank you so much, people.
Leonie S. > Fantastic photography ✅❤️ Theresa H. > Beautiful John 💜 Barb S. > Beautiful Amanda J. > Stunning Bernadette S. > What a catch. Martina P. > superb Judith L. > Fantastic John Bet B. > What a .Photo great, 1st prize. Gillian G. > Amazing John !! Robyn C. > Wow beautiful! Mark B. > Great shot John. Colin P. > Shimmmmmering in the sunlight Pam R. > Beautiful
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OLD CAMERAS – 01
19510402 Canon Camera Company – Time magazine
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NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT
Currently I am sorting through thousands of negatives of photos that I had snapped in the days of using my Olympus OM-1, a manually-operated 35 mm single-lens reflex camera. I also used the point & shoot camera Kodak instamatic camera. My project is converting these negatives into producing edited digital images.
Here is one of those edited photos of mine:
K C And The Sunshine Band in concert – Festival Hall, Melbourne 14 April, 1980.
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A MUSIC BREAK
‘A Music Break’ During an acoustic music performance there comes a period where the artists need a break before their next session. This photo depicts one of those well deserved breaks.
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FINALLY
Check out my social media websites for updates of my photographic activities:
John Weeks Photography 