Today I went on an adventure. Thanks to my insightful husband who cleverly bought me a Photography Workshop Experience for my birthday. You see we have one of those fancy SLR cameras, Miss Fancy Pants I call her, that we bought when my brother in law upgraded some time ago. The thing is we don’t really know how to use it. Now being a practical person I am driven to find a use for everything. I really do get such joy out of using things that are lying idle. Imagine my delight at being able to find out how to actually use Miss Fancy Pants Camera. I organised to book in and find out what was involved and where it would be held. I could not believe it a half day in the city of Melbourne.
The city of Melbourne is a place filled with happy memories for me. You see I have always lived in the suburbs, a good 35km from our city and when I venture there is it to have an adventure. It all started when I was a child and Mum would take us on the train to meet our Nanna. The 4 kids on the train to famous Flinders Street Station. We would have hot chips for lunch at Myer, the smell of roasted nuts filling the air, and “if we were really good” we would get a new toy. Yes all Nannas love to spoil. I remember wandering through the beautiful arcades and back then not really appreciating the architecture but knowing this was a place filled with history.
As I grew older the city had new thrills to offer. Nightclubs, stage shows, AFL football and amazing restaurants. Then I had children of my own and I wanted to take them on trips to the city. I started an annual tradition, our Christmas adventure. It started when they were babies and I took Mum with me too, possibly to recapture that feeling of a Nanna with her grandchild. Now each December we all get on the train and head into the city. We visit the Myer Christmas windows and wander the arcades admiring the decorations. This guarantees me that one chance each year to enjoy the wonders of the city.
I was up nice and early today to catch the train, the best way to start my adventure. We all met up at the GPO building in the heart of Melbourne. Four awkward amateurs and our teacher, the professional, Penny Koukoulas. I felt awkward standing there camera in hand as she checked we all new how to adjust our settings, White Balance, ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. I had heard about these things, even seen them mentioned while surfing Pinterest, but adjust them oh wow. I was nervous, uneasy, wondering if the others know more than I do. Then I remembered why I was here, to learn and have an adventure. I stopped and stood tall, then I adjusted my settings and I gave it a go. I had fun, I laughed and best of all I got to see the city in a new way, through the lens of my camera.
I had an adventure and collected new memories.
Do you have a place in the world that evokes fond memories a place you have had an adventure?
Leave me a comment below I would love to know.
I am already hooked! You inspire me in so many ways…your work is awesome!!