Erik Skye Travel Blog

1 Jan 2012 (Happy New Year!)

Here’s the map: Google Maps – Wizard of Oz

Car’s trip odometer: 1500clicks (km)

I rushed to the little neighborhood in Surry Hills where I stayed last year (i.e. see Return to Oz – Day 1). It’s where I met my now good friend Ceren,slept in the attic of an old flat, ate excellent foods from Maloneys (the best little grocer ever), and worked on my blog from a bench of the small treed park. I was ready to do it all over again. Everything about that place seems quaint, charming, and small-town, yet its tucked right up next to the big city. Yep, I’m nostalgic about this one. For as little time as I spent there, why does it feel like home?

I also took a long stroll through downtown Sydney (including some of her parks and gardens) and along Circular Quay (a huge u-shaped wharf near the Opera House where ferry traffic comes and goes; one of Sydney’s biggest attractions). The surrounding skyline and harbour were pretty enough, but busy and impersonal. I was one of thousands of foreigners milling around, and the experience left me slightly tired and ready to escape. Escape I did – back to Surry Hills to meet an artist named Alex for dinner.

Alex Photopaint is a photographer who creates stunning, evocative, sensual, strong, unique images of his human subjects. I had seen some of his work on Facebook and was so impressed and inspired that I asked if I could come see into his world. He graciously agreed, and as we dined on Spanish paella and sangria, Alex shared how he got to where he is now in life, examples of his work (on his iPhone, which takes beautiful photos by the way), and some of his techniques and vision. Alex is from Thailand and came to Australia 5 years ago under a student visa to learn the profession of photography. He had been an engineer prior but gave it all up to pursue a passion.

He asked me what I wanted in photography, and I told him I was interested in capturing unique subjects or familiar subjects in unique ways. I further explained that since all people are different,they are unique, and also that people are the most interesting subjects. As we left the restaurant, Alex asked me to take some pictures of his friend Orawan who had joined us mid-evening. He wanted me to compose the scene, direct her into position and posture, and set the camera up so that he could give me feedback. I felt awkward directing Orawan and inadequate in front of Alex. Then Alex took the camera and confidently flipped the dials around, verbally cued Orawan on what to do, and captured some beautiful pics.

Alex is the master (i.e. The Wizard), and I am the novice wanna-be. “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?”^12 said the Wizard of Oz. “…she took courage and answered, ‘I am Dorothy, the Small and Meek. I have come to you for help.’”^11

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Footnotes:

12. L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz (The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1903) p. 97.