I went for a wander around Gosford CBD today with my 1Ds while my wife's car was being serviced. Cafe near Kibble Park. C0EW1800-1 by Ray Allen, on Flickr Kibble Park. C0EW1801-1 by Ray Allen, on Flickr Gosford CBD and John Singleton's new building. C0EW1803-1 by Ray Allen, on Flickr Murals in a laneway in Gosford CBD. C0EW1804-1 by Ray Allen, on Flickr
Thanks, Craig. I was struggling to find interesting compositions. I did not show some of the sad facts of life, namely the many vacant empty shops. This is quite typical of main street shopping strips which gradually die when large shopping malls are built nearby. This previously bustling CBD is a mere shadow of its former self. John Singleton, a local multi-millionaire, is building a new building which will be a mix of residential, offices and shops in an attempt to bring some life back into the city. I hope it works. My claim to fame is that I went to high school with John. One of us is not a multi-millionaire.
Thanks, Gary. Yes, you should do it because probably nobody else will. The challenge, as I alluded to above, is to create images with a level of interest. I hope that you don't find it as hard as I did. Things that are very familiar to you often don't seem to be image worthy.
There were not many people around as it was a bit early - prior to 9 AM. However, nowadays I deliberately avoid people in my shots. You just can't predict the reaction you might get and if it is a negative reaction then trying to explain a photographer's rights is an exercise in futility which I would rather avoid. I prefer a quiet life.
I agree with your sentiments, when-ever I take my photography class on a field trip I insist on no shots with kids in it. There is always someone who will big note themselves to our detriment or worried the photos will end up on social media.
