Urban Dune
Last weekend I went looking for the new temporary location of the railway span removed from Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge where it waits cutting up for recycling. I found it, but on the way there I came across this dune at the cement plant on Bay Street. I have always loved the desert pictures of sand dunes with their wind sculpted organic shapes and beautiful light – I am sure you all know the ones, they make you think of camels, grit in the mouth and armpits, a palm tree that must be just over the horizon, hot hot sun and ruined cameras. I never thought that I might find a taste of dune in the industrial parts of Victoria, but indeed I did – complete with gusts of wind and grit in the mouth. No camels, the sun was setting and cool, but there was a moon, and as timing would have it the dune is right across the street from The Moon Under Water, an excellent new brew pub and ready antidote to sandy gums.
I could only look at the dune from outside the wall surrounding the Lafarge plant – it is part of just one of many piles of sediment used in different mixes of concrete, but it happened to be right next to the road. I noticed it because the side walk has mini sand dunes (see last image) along its edge from the sand grains that escape over the wall onto the street. I did have to climb on the wall to get some of these pictures. I even saw a dangerous looking pair of scissors that someone had tossed over the wall onto the sand, which can be seen in the foreground of the first shot. One shudders to think what it might have been used for.
.
.
.
.
.
Canon EOS 5Dii, Canon 50mm/f1.4 lens, ISO100, top to bottom: f2.2, 1/800th; f2.2, 1/800th; f2.2, 1/640th; f2.2, 1/800th; f2.2, 1/800th; f6.3, 1/500th; f2.2, 1/400th
.
.
burnt embers 
Pingback: Urban Dune II | burnt embers
Pingback: Grid Blocks | burnt embers
Pingback: Dockside View « burnt embers
Pingback: Moon Tank « burnt embers
Oh these are wonderful Ephem! I love industrial landscapes and the mix of structured and organic lines.
The lighting is fascinating.
LikeLike
Thank you Karen – it was that low light at the end of the day, but weak as it was overcast.
LikeLike
HI ya, who would have thought this location would make great images! It’s amazing what people overlook daily isn’t it? I think my fav is certainly the third from the bottom. There’s something awesome about the curves of the sand in the foreground and the metropolis in the background…like nature reclaiming herself (ha, now how on earth did I tie that into my post for today)?
LikeLike
Its amazing what I overlook daily unless I have my camera in hand, in which case I am looking differently.
Nice segue to your post and that great picture of a fence post wrapped in vines.
LikeLike
Wonderful images. I like all the contrast. Between the black and whites and stones and sand, there is a nice depth to them all. The colors in the final photograph are lovely.
LikeLike
Thanks Ryan. I was using a pretty shallow depth of field on these shots, which mostly worked out well. I couple of them could have done with a bit more dof I think, but that is something you can’t correct in post (at least not yet).
LikeLike
As ugly and undesirable as it may be the stark landscape that often accompanies industrial sites is definitely a good one for the photographer. These photos make strong images. As far as the best of the bunch I am running with number three and number six.
LikeLike
Thanks Joseph. I am glad you mention three on your short list – I like it too, the contrast between the rectangular lines and the parabolas where the cones of aggregate spilling out of them really appeals to me. And number six is shaping up to be a favourite of many peoples.
LikeLike
Interesting formations the sand forms. I do have my favorits here and they are the last two shots, especially the last one. I think the color and texture are really very nice. Well seen.
LikeLike
Hi Ken – I prepared this post a few days ago, without the second to last shot and last night as I was setting up the publication time I saw that shot and realised it needed to be worked on and included. Its one of my favourites too. The last one I tried in monochrome, but really the colour version is way better. Unlike the others which really don’t have much colour in them anyway.
LikeLike
Beauty lurking in unexpected places.
LikeLike
I like these surprises in the industrial areas. I expect I will take more pictures in these areas as time goes on.
LikeLike
Nice images! The first is great and the last one is excellent! Like the textures and horizontal layers.
LikeLike
Hi Steve – thanks so much. What I really like about the first one are the round piles of dark coarse aggregate in the background. If I could have found the right vantage point I would have tried for a shot just of those. But they do look good contrasted against the sand.
LikeLike