Flinders St Station

About Flinders St

Flinders Street Railway Station was, and still is, the main the surburban railway station for Melbourne.

Viewpoints

The station can be photographed from almost 360 degrees, and given some thought, from different elevations. Finding a new viewpoint is challenging though.

1. From diagionally across the road at St Pauls. This is a classic view. It needs a wide angle lens (24 mm or less) and there is likely to be traffic to content with. See the image at the top of this page.
2. From Federation Square. 'Fed Square' is over Swanston St (called St Kilda Rd at this point) from the station. Federation Square is an interesting place to photograph in its own right. Photos of the station from here though have to content with the traffic going down St Kilda Road, but also a lot of fixed infrastructure.
3. From Flinders St (west). Walking down Flinders St to the west, there are several views of the side of the station. The station goes for at least two blocks. One of the key pedestrian access points is from Elizabeth St, and there is a substantial entrance way here. Further west still are the unusual 'vaults' at Banana Alley.
4. From Princes Bridge. Princes Bridge is a good spot for any keen photographer to visit anyhow, and it is only 50M from the station. From here there are good shots of Southbank, the city, and that Station.
5. From Southbank. Southbank is directly south of the station, on the banks of the Yarra. (yep, and inventive name) From here you can see the 'other side' of the station from the view on Flinders St. As there is no traffic this side, I prefer the view this side. It does lack the entrance way that is on Elizabeth St though. It is easy to walk west down Southbank, to cross the pedestrian bridge, visit the Casino, or have a cup of coffee or lunch. if you head east under St Kilda Rd, you also come to Alexander Gardens, Kings Domain (gardens) and over the Swan St bridge, to Olympic Park, Birrarung Marr and back to Flinder St.
6. From Sandridge Bridge. The Sandridge Bridge is a pedestrian Bridge over the Yarra between Flinders St Station and Southbank. The Bridge itself is interesting, and there are good photos to be had up and down the Yarra of the city, Flinders St, and Southbank.

How I photographed the Station

What I took - what was in my kit

I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Linhof Technorama with Velvia 50 film for the panorama, and Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24 mm TS, Canon 16-35mm and 50mm Sigma Art Lenses, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant.

Techniques

My chosen view point was from across the road, at the steps of St Paul's cathederal. There is a small alcove there that is almost made for photographers. My style for this photograph was my normal style.

The only problem with this viewpoint, is that, as it diagonally across the corner of two busy roads and looking at a major pedestrian transport hub -- was the amount of traffic obstructing the view. I like to capture the Station without people, or with very few people. I also like the warm, lived in feel that comes with it having the lights on. I therefore captured it at dusk (after some laneway photos nearby earlier in the day) and I used multiple exposures to 'erase' the cars and pedestrians.

Other things to look out for

Melbourne is a vibrant and large city. I suggest you go to a tourist information centre or look online for the sort of subjects that you are interested in. Melbourne has architecture, lanes, street art, victorian era architecture, people, events, many parks, one river ...

Location

Location: 5XJ8+MR Melbourne, Victoria   ///skinny.arrive.codes   (-37.817699, 144.967239)

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