Sunday drive from Sydney, Australia
(does anyone else have a favourite/notable local area with great photo opportunities? - particularly interested in UK contributions as I am visiting Aug-Sep)
A few hours’ drive west from Sydney takes you to the historic town of Lithgow, where the first production of iron and steel commenced in the 1880’s. The facility produced pig iron, notably for Australian railways, and steel until the late 1920’s. The blast furnace was left to decay gracefully (for generations of photographers to come). The shell of the pump house, and foundations and parts of the furnace remain.
Canon 7D and Sigma 24-70 mm, cropped and straightened etc.. Intended as a documentary, but C&C always appreciated.
1. Blast Furnace Park - f11,1/400, -1EV, ISO200
The “portholes” become searchlights, constantly changing shape and moving around the walls as the sun changes direction and elevation while stalking the building.
2. Blast Furnace Park - f11, 1/800, -1EV, ISO200
Just a little further are the smaller towns of Portland and Wallerawang. Portland also supported the growth of Sydney in the 1800’s as a major source of lime and concrete, and many buildings from its boom times remain. The main attraction now is that mural artists have decorated the town centre shops, buildings and fences with 1950’s style advertising . Perhaps our CiC Portland correspondent can provide additional information?
3. f5, 1/400, ISO200
I do not know about Wallerawang’s role in the early days, but currently has a large power station.
4. Wallerawang from outskirts of town – f16, 1/160, ISO200
Another attraction close to Lithgow (at Clarence) is the Zig-Zag railway used from 1870 to 1910 as part of the main line across a difficult section of the Blue Mountains, now a heritage line (currently closed for renovations).
5. Zig Zag Railway (just a snap from a previous visit)