I took this photograph of wind turbines in a distance in the early hours on my way to the snow. Lake George, which hardly ever is really a lake is a vast plane and positioning the turbines well in the distance seems like a smart choice. I believe there are around 67 turbines in total in the region, producing enough power to supply electricity to third of Canberra. It is the largest renewable electricity generator project in NSW since the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

“… will you still feed me, when I’m Sixty-Four?” I think many of us know this 1967 The Beatles song. I was looking at this older couple walking among the Pitt Street Mall, giving each other support and holding hands when the crowd got a bit too big.

How many new couples will enjoy such lasting, loving relationship? In Australia, the median length of marriage before separation is around 9 years. Many people never marry, and for example 31% of all babies born in Australia are born to unmarried mothers. Our society is changing.

Some may say that longevity of a marriage is no measure of happiness, but when you look at a couple like the one captured in this photograph it seems great to have the partnership that lasts.

This is one of these unusual photographs that do not fit into any category. It is form of a people shot, but it fits abstract genre more than portraits. 

The photograph is a bit illusive, but in short what you are looking at are the reflections in a shop awning of people’s shadows passing underneath. Due to the strong light the shadows are very well defined almost giving an impression that it is the reflection of people themselves.

I have noticed a row of people standing against one side of the Pitt Street Mall. They all seemed to wait, perhaps for the people they were meeting for lunch. I just though how odd that they are all men.

Usually you see a mixture of men and women there as it is a very busy place.

Although two of them are looking at their phones, they are all facing away from me as if they expected the person who they are waiting for to come from the same direction. I know it is all pure coincidence but makes an interesting people pattern photograph.

The girl was saying something to the young man with some determination, pointing her finger with a decisive gesture right at his chest. It did not look threatening, quite the opposite. Her relaxed face, and focus on him indicated a friendly conversation. A little private moment, as the world just moved around them.

It is interesting to see that sometimes people do read this blog. Few days ago I wrote an article titled Homosexual Sydney. Yesterday, to my surprise, the city council has replaced the rainbow flag with the very proper Flag of the City of Sydney.

So, after all someone in the council does look at this blog, which both nice to know and in this case also rewarding, as I think the council should represent all its inhabitants and not only one specific minority. Thank you for the quick action.

Our addiction to the mobile technology is growing by the day. The simple mobile phone has evolved to a smart phone offering extensive range of functions right at your fingertips no matter where you are (provided there is mobile coverage).

Smart-phones and tablets offer a great deal of options from simple entertainment such as music, movies or games to more utilitarian functions such as business or train table look-ups.  One can read a daily newspaper or the very next moment have a quick game of Sudoku. It is all there and the token pricing means the apps are very affordable.

The negative aspect of the smart devices is our dependence on them. Everywhere I go I see people glued to the tiny screens, not paying attention to their surroundings or even to where they are going. The other and yet similar aspect is the isolation the always in ear or huge over the ear headphones create. People cannot hear approaching cars or train announcements as they are listening to their music with volume set to the maximum. Worst yet is criminal use of smart devices by many drivers – this is really dangerous activity. Looking up your Facebook or posting Twitter messages while driving is really not OK.

I wonder why is it that Sydney Town Hall seems to be permanently decorated with the rainbow flag symbolising homosexuality? I am sure there are people who live in the Sydney council area and would like the council to represent them too.

Further, I am sure across the city there are hundreds of minorities that would like the acknowledgement equal to that the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) residents, workers and visitors get. Is Sydney City council showing prejudice against heterosexuals?

How about a flag for ordinary families? Or, perhaps one for the city workers regardless of their sexual orientation. Another flag could be raised for the hundreds of homeless people who sleep in the city. Perhaps one for the photographers ? You know we are part of the city life too.

Oh, one for the girls buying shoes, and one for the students, and one for Asians, and one for Aborigines, and one for Christians, and one for Muslims, and one for Buddhists,  and one for atheists, one for the Goths, one for the punks, one for the skins, and yes, even one for the people who use bike lines too, one for bus drivers, one for …

Yes, Equality is difficult to achieve when one decides to support single minority group.

PS: I just found out the flag supposed to be there between 12 of February and 4 March – the day after the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. Well it seems some one was clever and allowed to hang there for more time.

Although the weather recently has been fantastic I have noticed a lot of people walk around with their heads down. Hardly anyone looks ahead. Perhaps slightly lower temperatures and the cold and flu season has brought people down a bit.

It was nice for a change to see the pretty blond girl, pictured in the above photograph, being all cheerful and joyful while she was talking to someone on the phone. She had a big smile on, lit eyes and was visibly happy. We need more people like her in the city in the winter times.

I took this photograph through a very dirty window of work enclosure surrounding Sydney Town Hall, which is currently under renovations. A number of skilled stonemasons are working on recreating column heads in sandstone.

I spend some time watching them working with the stone. It seems misleadingly easy, and just shows how much experience these artisans have. Usage of some modern tools helps but in the end it really is a chisel and hammer affair.

Update: only a day after I have published this story and the photograph the stonemason’s workshop windows were covered by black, non-transparent plastic. It is a pity as I have seen many people have shown genuine interest in his work.