Roshani in the Slipstream

Tuesday 23 April 2024
Circular Quay-Sydney-Australia
I arrived by train from Newcastle with a half day to kill before catching a suburban train to Mortdale. I had my camera with me because I planned to return to the Quay the next day with a couple of photographer friends for breakfast and some shooting. The "half day to kill" could be usefully spent scoping photographic opportunities for the next day. As a wildlife photographer, of course I thought of possibilities for shooting some urban birds.
I also decided to play with the OM-1's Live ND computational mode and a moderate zoom lens, facilitating slow-shutter-speed effects in bright light without carrying and fitting strong neutral density filters. It appealed to my preference for traveling light.
A few buskers were working the waterfront near the Overseas Passenger Terminal and one, in particular, caught my interest. I photographed her for about an hour, all the while entertained by her repertoire and style. A powerful voice. She was brilliant. I exploited the comings and goings of ferries and the Sydney Opera House as her backdrop.
When it was time for me to catch my next train, I dropped $20 into her guitar case for a CD and a tip.
"Thank you so much!"
I briefly chatted with her and showed her an image on my camera's LCD screen. She was lovely and gracious and I made plans to do something with the images I had captured.
"Will you be here tomorrow?", I asked.
"I may be. I'll see how it goes in the morning."
"OK, I'll look out for you. I'm photographing here with some friends tomorrow."
Unfortunately, she was not there the following day; it started out dull and overcast. I had to be content with photographing my friends, both photographic and feathered, exaggerating things with a fisheye lens.
This video contains imagery captured over the two days, and an appropriate track lifted from her ‪@ROSHANIMUSIC‬ album "Back to the sun".
Thank you "White girl from Tamworth in a Sri-Lankan body" for your energy and entertainment. Perhaps we'll meet again by the harbour some day. I hope you like what I've done with your music and my images. Go well in the slipstream.