Night Lights, Bright Eyes, and White Lies
Photographic Essay, Sydney, Night Photography, Urban Photography, Cityscape, Fine Art
I borrowed my inspiration for the title of this photo essay from the song Night Lights by Nat King Cole. The lyrics speak to what appear in these photos: the 'blue in the night lights'; the colours found in 'bright eyes'; and the white in 'beautiful white lies'.
I love shooting at night, especially in the pre dawn hours, when the city is mostly asleep; the tranquillity, the stillness in the air; a disturbance free environment, conducive to creativity and unleashing my mind to dream big.
These photos were taken across two shoots, both prompted by environmental events; the first resulted when I notice the harbour covered by mist and the second by my desire to shoot the recent full moon as it set over the Sydney Opera House. With the first shoot, the mist had mostly dissipated in the 15 minutes it took me to get ready and ride down to Circular Quay. With the second shoot, the clouds came over and obscured the moon before it could set sufficiently for the shot I wanted to achieve. My approach though is to shoot with what I have and I was happy with the photos I made on both occasions.
:: Rand
My aim is always to portray the everyday as visually compelling. I've mentioned that I make photos as a way to heal myself, but what I haven't mentioned too often is that I want to bring inspiration to people by showing them how I see the world post the trauma I've experienced. I have a unique filter that not many people on the planet have and this empowers me on my quest.
Let me explain further by referencing the photo above. How many thousands of images have been made of the Opera House? Yet this image exudes a unique sense of freedom. The pre dawn dark has stripped away the usual and left only the essence of the design and shapes of this structure. And it is in this essence that the viewer is free to imagine a narrative for themselves in relation to the Opera House. This photo allows you to create your own reality and engage in the act of storytelling; a process that is as timeless as the photo itself; and the story you, or any other viewer, weaves will change every time you view it, because you will have changed. Ephemeral, yet with more dimensionality than your natural way of seeing. That, my friends, is my quest.
If you'd like to delve deeper into my photography, visit my website. Please reach out if you'd like to suggest a collaboration or if you are interested in having my art adorn your walls.
All images are copyright Rand Leeb-du Toit, 2024
I'm a big fan of those quiet pre-dawn hours too. Your drive to see beauty in the ordinary, even when it's tough, is impressive. And your angle on the Sydney Opera House... Simply awesome!