Melb/Vic meetup.

[Speedway]

I was going to be in Melbourne over this weekend but my oldest mate's (from primary school) wife has just had unsuccessful bowel cancer surgery and only been given weeks so I have put off my trip until I find out more on the sad outcome.
Not so cheerfully
Keith.

[bitsnpieces]

Oh man, I wish your friend and his wife all the best.

[Filter]

I'm just hanging in there in hope that the date will change to the 8th, not looking good though.

[arthurking83]

If it doesn't, I'm sure another meetup will be organised soon enough.

Just be sure to recommend a date that suits you.

[Filter]

Thanks arthurking83, I'll be sure to jump in as soon as I see the initial seed planted...

[arthurking83]

Just a quick rundown of who's coming and what's happening:

I've briefly gone back through the thread and members most likely to attend (as of the start of this week) are:

Geoffsta, Missionman, bitsnpeices, Roo, Spyro, AK83.

Possible attendees could be:

Falcon91 and Jodieh1.

That makes it between 6 and 8 members.

Most likely start time and start location will be just south of the CBD near the Royal Botanical Gardens(and Shrine) along St Kilda Road.
Start time will vary depending on the first arriving member, but I'm hoping for decent weather conditions for a bit of a early morning sunrise session.
That makes it about 7-7:30 AM for me to be in this general area. Note that I could be anywhere if anyone else is up for a early morning shoot.
eg. I could be across the road at the army barracks(I think it's called Victoria barracks) as this building usually has very photogenic autumn leaves growing over the building. Sunrise to about 9AM is the best time to capture this .. I could be anywhere so if you have my mobile number (at the end of this reply) feel free to txt me if you want to catch up.

I suspect that most members will probably start the day closer to 10AM.
That's my contingency plan if conditions aren't suitable for sunrise photography. So if it's grey/overcast/miserable looking drizzle in the morning, I prefer the warmth and comfort of a spongey mattress to a wet cold and miserable day standing next to my tripod

So far the weather bureau is saying cloudy and showers for the 7th, so there may need to be a contingency plan if it turns out to be persistently precipitating early, during or later on in the day.

I don't mind wading about the city on a wet day. It still allows some good opportunities, and as most of the city is now undercover you won't get yourself or your gear drenched.
I still vividly remember the day when Lt Bourke St turned into a waterfall one moment and then the sun popped out a few minutes later!
So the term a 'few showers' can mean anything from 1000mm of rain for the day or bright, oppressive, heatstroke inducing sunshine!

From that point, as members begin to amass into a group, the rest of the day will just be whatever it turns out to be.

bitsnpieces has already posted his phone No. which is handy as more points of contact usually mean better communication.

......

But once again, 0402 506 665 is my number ......

My number is 0419 305 382


And hopefully we'll see you all in a weeks time.

[bitsnpieces]

Sounds good; I'll let my friends know - I have 3 interested which should be coming, but we'll see closer to the day as I feel form of rain or showers will put them off lol

[arthurking83]

HaHa .. rain tends to do that a bit.

But there are ways to get around rain in the big smoke. Stay within the main areas of the city, keep to the footpaths under the kilometers of canopies and you're good to go.
There are tons of areas and buildings we can use for cover if it's raining hard.

The only problem is that it's most likely to make the day short .. for those coming in from a fair distance away, it may seem like a bit of a wasted effort.

[bitsnpieces]

No effort is wasted! Arrrr!

Who says we can't sit down at a little cafe parlour or restaurant and chat if it rains and shortens our day?
Great opportunity to get to know our members, do some food photography, low light tests, and good ol' fun!

[geoffsta]

for those coming in from a fair distance away, it may seem like a bit of a wasted effort.

No, not really. It's nice to put the faces to the photos that you see on here.

[manrajphotography]

post removed. member banned. This member has been banned before under different usernames for breaching our rules. Admin

[bitsnpieces]

There's no solid details, but just the information from arthurking83.
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...=1#post1235636

Basically, for those who want to come early, or can make it, we're meeting at the Botanical Gardens around 7-7:30am. I'm definitely going to try and make that, rain or shine.
The idea is to walk around to different locales - I'm guessing with so many people and different experiences, these locales will be chosen on the spot based on our knowledge of the area we're in, who knows where's a good spot and such.
Duration is probably around 10-12 hours total from the sounds of it - you can join in any time, leave any time.
Gear is up to you, depending on what you want to carry for the day.

I'm just going to bring the one Sony a65, the 2 lenses that I have, flash, and tripod.

[falcon91]

I'll try to be there, though the trains from Geelong are going to be interesting...either I get there just before 7am or just before 8am...

[bitsnpieces]

No problems - just give us a call when you get in (if it's 8am)
Mine - 0402 506 665
arthurking83's - 0419 305 382

If you're there early at 7am, well, we shouldn't be too far off

[arthurking83]

The Royal Botanical Gardens open at 7:30 AM.

Hopefully the cafe is open at about that time too(I'm not sure).
This is a contingency just in case the weather looks nice as we head there, but turns foul when we get there.

Don't want to be stranded waiting in the rain

Weather report so far for the day is:

Cloudy. Scattered showers, chiefly in the afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly and light becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then turning south to southwesterly during the afternoon.

So hopefully we get some OK time in the morning before any rain/showers come across .. and hopefully any wet weather that does come is across the bay, and misses the CBD.

[geoffsta]

My number is 0429 655 541. Going to leave here roughly 3am (If I get out of bed) Going to be a big day I think...

[GerryK]

Ok. It looks like a meet on saturday. When is the meet time? Do i assume location is costco carpark?
I may be able to get there dependant on kids & wife.

[bitsnpieces]

Ok. It looks like a meet on saturday. When is the meet time? Do i assume location is costco carpark?
I may be able to get there dependant on kids & wife.

7:30am at the Royal Botanical Gardens - just give us a call when you get in as it sounds like we'll be out and about in that area, or in the cafe near there if there's a little drizzle (I'm glad I have my plastic cover for my camera - get to try it not now lol)

If you can't make it 7:30am, any time is good also - just give us a call when you get in to see where we're at and go from there.

So now we have 3 numbers for everyone coming:

bitsnpieces - 0402 506 665
arthurking83 - 0419 305 382
geoffsta - 0429 655 541

So getting in contact should be pretty easy

[rellik666]

Sorry folks. Doesn't look like I will be able to make it! Booooo....

Anyhow if you see me you see me......have fun If I don't get there!

[geoffsta]

All packed and ready to go. Just need an early night. See you all there.