Annually in August, the country comes to Brisbane and shows the city what it’s made of. The Royal Queensland show (the Ekka to the locals), is Queensland’s annual agricultural show. It attracts upwards of 400,000 people over the 10 day event, and was created to showcase Queensland’s culture, produce, resources and initiatives. Something I think us city folk tend to neglect to worry about and appreciate.

For a small fortune you can gain access to the RNA showgrounds in the heart of Brisbane. Once inside you blend in and immerse yourself into the chaotic atmosphere akin to what I could only describe as a country daycare – people dressed in their horse riding boots and jeans, and kids overdosing on sugar running rampant with excitement. There is a bounty of animal competitions and presentations, along side other performances to enjoy. This year I managed to enjoy motorbike backflips, a ballet performance with segments from The Nutcracker, and watch a magician blow my mind. There’s also Sideshow alley and the showbag pavillion which can quite easily empty your wallet in 30 minutes. That’s not forgetting about the numerous food and beverage outlets selling strawberry sundaes and foot long dagwood dogs which equally bleed you dry. Be prepared to line up for those sundaes, they’re popular! This year though I survived the temptations of over priced burgers and dagwood dogs, and was able to still enjoy myself whilst steering clear of any showbags. The chocaholic within curses me for not getting a chocolate showbag, but I did bring supplies and it was sufficient for my sugary tooth.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to photograph a carousel ride, at night, and this time I was prepared. In my possession I actually had a camera capable of doing so (my first DSLR which I’ve now thankfully upgraded from), a tripod which would hold steadfast, and the knowledge to actually do so. What I love about the photographs I had seen beforehand, was that they captured the wonderful colours the rides emit to the untrained non-phtographic lens eye. Our eyes can’t slow down motion to get a blur that makes sense. We see the blur and lose the focus or we focus too hard and lose sight of the bigger, brighter and more beautiful picture. Cameras however see beyond all that, and merge the two, and on that particular night I was sure to try capture it.  The pinnacle of any good evening ends with fireworks too, and with bi-nightly fireworks, which round out each day the show is in town, I was truly in my element. Here are a few from my first time shooting fireworks and rides:

For more photos, past and present, join me over at Instagam: @tonnes.