Steel wool spinning evokes a feeling of being MacGyver every time you light up. It’s inevitable and unavoidable. Your apparatus is a home made concoction of whatever you can find lying around. It typically involves a whisk (simple kitchen one will suffice), some rope to attach it to, a bit of steel wool, and a lighter. You’re then limited to your imagination. The results are petty impressive with a long exposure photograph. If you want to be super technical you can craft your own devices to create perfect circles and such. I’m yet to do that, but it will happen one day.  I’ve only tried steel wool a handful of times, and literally learned something new each time. It definitely can be a ‘whisky business’ as I’ve had a few near misses of setting fire to my surroundings, so just in case you try this for yourself, I urge you to attempt it with caution, and prepare for the inevitable; have something handy to extinguish anything that may catch alight as a result of your masterpieces. These are just the beginning of my foray into lighting up my surroundings. I’ll update as I go, and refine this ‘skill’. Maybe one day I’ll even add steel wool spinning to a resume.

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

Each September the Brisbane CBD comes alive and the skyline is transformed into a wonderful concoction of bright lights shining from every which way upward into the stratosphere.

For anyone who knows me, or my photos, then they know that bright lights with a cityscape background will always pique my interest . Like a moth to a flame, I just can’t help myself. A photo opportunity if I ever saw one!

Brisbane Festival ran from the 7th – 28th of September, and in total I believe I frequented the light show at least five times.

A quick self portrait between laser shows. I found the blue shaped seat and added it for reflective effect (and a place to rest).

These lanterns were a makeshift open roof for the pub below (out of shot, next photo).

The decorative lanterns above the outdoor pub.

Brisbane Airport Light Garden by Tony Assness (l bet he’s the butt of all jokes).  These LEDs changed colour synchronously with music.

In the eye of the action on the green at the Santos GLNG City of Light show.

Vantage point; Cultural Centre bus terminal.

Vantage point: Southbank.

Vantage point: William Jolly Bridge.

Vantage point: Goodwill bridge.

Stomie Mills’ project. 4 metre tall pink rabbits interchangeably placed around Brisbane. This one was spotted at Kangaroo Point.

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

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.