Old Rutherglen, a photo from Victoria, East

Photographer's Note

The sunshine of a late afternoon in Autumn glints on some of the surfaces of these old shops in the town of Rutherglen, in the state of Victoria. Named after a town in Scotland, the town first came to prominence during the gold rush period of our history, in the 1860s, but later on developed into one of the country's best wine-producing areas. The table wines are good, but it's said the Muscat and Tokay wines are the best in the world.

Only a few kilometres from the Murray River which divides the states of Victoria and New South Wales (see the Map view), the older part of the small town is well preserved or restored without looking like an 'olde worlde' theme-park. This can be seen in the rather spartan but well cared-for appearance of the shops in the photo.

I've been to Rutherglen numerous times, and years ago knew a man who worked as an estate agent, a driving instructor and an undertaker; he is still there, but fortunately I had no need for any of these varied services, despite 'tasting' a bit too much wine.

mjdundee, dta, Royaldevon, papagolf21, wojtpod, snunney, saxo042, SnapRJW, jlbrthnn, Budapestman, gildasjan, williewhistler, jacquest, abmdsudi, ourania, pajaran, jhm, macjake, Glint, Angshu, annjackman, Kielia, Tigerlily has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mjdundee (4663) 2012-08-10 6:52

Hi Andrew,
I am afraid I have missed some of your recent posts here. I like this view. Your play with the fading light suits these eautifully restored houses and shops very well.Like a scenery from the gold rush times two centuries ago. TFS.
HAve a great WE,
THomas

dta (98848) 2012-08-10 8:07

Hello Andrew ,
The architctural subject is interesting , the angle of view excellent , but the light "makes" the picture .
And you remind me that may is in autumn in your country :)
REgards

Royaldevon (85606) 2012-08-10 8:32

Hello Andrew,

The light is so amazing in your shot. I have looked at it for a couple of minutes, noticing how it illuminatesthe facades, whilst the sheltered areas are plungd into a contrasting gloom. Despite any problems with light, your shot is beautifully sharp.
I found your notes interesting.
To me, it has the appearance of a wild west town, without the ubiquitous hitching rails.

Good to see you posting again,
Bev :-)

holmertz (101956) 2012-08-10 8:46

Hello Andrew,
It's nice to see one of your nowadays rare pictures. This one has a tremendously tight atmosphere thanks to the golden light falling on the roofs and faзades and the strong contrasts.
Kind regards,
Gert

papagolf21 (152605) 2012-08-10 8:46

Bonjour, cher Andrew,
La note est trиs intйressante, nous ne sommes pas en face d'un dйcor de cinйma.
La lumiиre est magnifique et caresse avec dйlicatesse ces magasins.
Un cadrage efficace, une note йdifiante, un rйsultat brillant !
Amitiйs.
Philippe

wolf38 (30) 2012-08-10 9:38

Hi Andrew. When I saw the photo, I thought first of the Wild West. But now I see the photo shows remnants of the Australian gold rush. In the golden evening light everything looks twice as nice. Rgds, Wolfgang.

wojtpod (774) 2012-08-10 13:10

Hello Andrew!
It's very nice to see sun shining on the wall. Very good sharpness and POV. Frame is also interesting.
Very useful note.
Best regards
Wojtek

ifege (46891) 2012-08-10 14:42

Hi Andrew
Their liquer muscats and tokays are the best in the wrold, but then, their style is just about unique to Rutherglen. A good atmospheric shot of old Rutherglen with the modern aspects hidden under awnings and behind windows.
cheers
Ian

MJR (3360) 2012-08-11 4:21

Andrew

This look a fun spot ! maybe you are used to such places in Aus, but I have never been there and it is very alien to the UK. So to me this looks like 'out west' in the US, a mining town in Colorado maybe.

Wherever, whatever, you present a neat and evocative photo, the wonderful evening light giving some lovely effects and shadows. The place does indeed look pristine, and the planters lift it no end. The kerb is a bit of a giveaway that it is not, in fact, some where from our past ! Neat cropping to run the kerb exactly to the corner.

kind regards
Martin

snunney (130967) 2012-08-11 5:21

Hello Andrew,
I very much like the mood created by the low angled lighting. The exposure is very well managed with excellent detail to be seen even in the shadow areas. Very good clarity.

saxo042 (38078) 2012-08-11 12:14

Hi Andrew,
This looks very much like the "Wild West" but this is apparently the "Wild South". The rising sun creates good effects.
Kind regards
Gunnar

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-08-11 12:24

Hello Andrew - This shot has the look of many small towns in S Africa, similar period and lifestyle I guess. Excellent light falling across the faзades and reflecting off the pavements bring a charm to this small scene. Warm regards rosemary

chrisvek (7003) 2012-08-11 18:02

Hi Andrew

Superb atmosphere and very nice composition.I find the time ideal fro this shot.Well done!TFS

Best Regards
Chris

npecanhuk (79329) 2012-08-11 19:00

Hello Andrew!
A very beautiful picture of those "western movie-like" architectural details!
Special regards to the management of light, colors, chosen pov and composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-08-12 2:21

Hi Andrew,
this picture is somewhat reminiscent of American Westerns. The light is interesting. The quality is excellent. I appreciate the informative note. Bravo. Have a nice day
Cordially
Joлl

Budapestman (82620) 2012-08-12 10:40

Hi Andrew,
a beautiful atmosphere with special lights, the composition is attractive, superb architectural details, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kнvбnok!
Gyцrgy

leo61 (0) 2012-08-12 11:16

HI Andrew!
Love the light and perspective here.
I remember simillar scenes,when I visited Victoria and the region around Murwillumbah in NSW.
Regards,leo

gildasjan (43826) 2012-08-13 0:34

Bonjour Andrew
Ce ciel et cette lumiиre crйent une atmosphиre trиs particuliиre ici.Une ambiance de western!
Bonne journйe
Amicalement
gildas

Nicou (193806) 2012-08-14 6:59

Hello

Superbe architecture avec ce douce courbe sur le sommet, et quel йclairage doux ce rayon de lumiиre uqi lиche le tout sueprbe compo.

Bravo et amitiй

Nicou

daddo (28748) 2012-08-14 17:51

Hi Andrew. Love the textures in this shot accentuated by the wonderful light. It just shows you how an otherwise drab architecture can be transformed into something appealing under the right light conditions and the photographer's technical know-how. Regards. Klaudio.

williewhistler (16606) 2012-08-15 3:57

Hello Andrew,I remember visiting a winery near Rutherglen when we were last in Victoria a while ago,we`re hoping to return to Wang later this year,if the chance occurs I`m going back here!The long evening light across the buildings show them to their best advantage,early settler style with bags of interest and charm.Love it.
All the best Les.

jacquest (19269) 2012-08-15 5:05

Hello Andrew,

The ligh gives a mysterious mood to these old shops with a touch of Far West. The oblique POV is well chosen and the sharpness is excellent.

Best regards

Jacques

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-08-15 7:14

Hi Andrew
This looks a classic 'old' picture, like looking back in time and the view point is lovely providing a much more visually interesting subjects - I like that "Dublin House" as reference point. Such feel of ye oldie neatly taken emphasizng the character of this town, the warm golden light caught my eyes and rightly treated with wonderful sky and the toning work has worked very well and this photo shows exactly what you intend it to show without needing much explanation it speaks itself. Excellent work. Congrats.
Best regards

ourania (51103) 2012-08-16 3:22

Hello Andrew,
a lovely picture of superb composition which makes a strong impression as a whole and at the same time every element is important and meaningful. Your note enhances the allure of the dark colours and the marvellous light that graces the image. Such a light is wonderful to watch but very difficult to capture in a shot. It's capture here is absolutely succeful and effective. The angle you've chosen has endowed the picture not only with this special light but also with great perspective, depth, interest and a dramatic backdrop. The contrasts have been orchestrated superbly. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

pajaran (114867) 2012-08-16 13:50

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan i dobra tekst ...
Dobra ostrina snimka i kontrast, lepe boje.
Lep trenutak po podne, i stare prodavnice.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Very interesting and good article ...
Good image sharpness and contrast, beautiful colors.
A nice moment in the afternoon, and the old store.
All the best.
Paja.

jhm (211734) 2012-08-21 3:38

Hello Andrew,

This image do my think to the old cowboy movies with these houses.
Very well seen, late in the afternoon
Contrast and light are wonderful, also the colors are perfect.
Excellent presentation, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

macjake (98262) 2012-08-24 12:36

Hi Andrew
its a good read, lots of knowledge gained in that small write up.
you're right, the lighting is what makes the scene work so well here.
Perfect time of day to capture the buildings. Has a real ol-time feel to it.
enjoy your day
Craig

Glint (6171) 2012-08-26 5:44

Hello Andrew,
you have found a nice light here to show us these buildings. It has something of the Wild West about the place.All that is missing is the teher bars for horses and saloon doors.
Interesting note, especially about the multi tasking worker.
best regards,
Bev

Angshu (56760) 2012-08-27 21:17

Hello Andrew
You were able to captured elicios light here as it glints on the old shops. The structure of the shops remind me of the Wild West saloons we see in Western movies. Interesting as I see 'Dublin House' written prominently...no guesses about the ancestory of the owners. Very nice!
Best Regards
Angshu

dale54 (17750) 2012-08-31 6:14

andrew hi,nice,its got that wild west feel,i have to say the light here is magic! tfs! dr

brianmcc (6223) 2012-09-02 2:06

hi andrew,
it is the light illuminating parts of the shop fronts in this picture that really stand out beautifully. the character of the buildings only adds to the appeal of the picture with their old world charm. i love the sky in this image, the clouds have plenty of character while the pale blue shades are fantastic. you have managed the light conditions very well here.
regards,
brian

annjackman (23019) 2012-09-03 0:02

Hello Andrew,
The light falling on the facades of the old shops is glorious as it picks out detail. The dark clouds also adds to the old town atmosphere. The sharpness and exposure are spot on.
Kind Regards, Ann

Kielia (24077) 2012-09-16 6:52

Hi Andrew,
this is Rutherglen seen with the eyes of an artist. Excellent management of the light and an outstanding perspective. As already mentioned it looks like a scenery from the gold rush times. My compliments also for the nice note!
Warm regards
Harriet

Tigerlily (3381) 2012-10-23 14:25

Hi Andrew,
Superbly captured light, wonderful composition excellent detail.. great work.

willperrett (14195) 2012-11-11 2:49

Hello Andrew
Lovely nostalgic photograph, especially for me, as I well remember a couple of days spent here in 1993 during the year I spent working in Oz. We stayed in the Victoria Hotel, which can't be far from where you made this photograph. Like you, we "tasted" the local offerings and ever since then, at Christmas I always make sure I've got a Rutherglen stickie available. As to your photograph, it's (as usual) the light that makes it work: the rich tones of gold glancing off the frontages is beautiful.
Regards
Will

jmdias (114240) 2012-12-03 5:45

andrew

nice view of these old houses, they look like the faзades of the western movies of hollywood. nice light and sharpenss.

hugs

jorge