Important Note: All photos by Chris & Ibyang Sanchez, Copyright 2011. Please don't use our photographs without our permission.
For the past two years, shooting Vivid Sydney has been a winter event the Husband and I always look forward too. We've made it an annual project of ours because we love seeing the city of Sydney come alive at night, it's an excuse to go out on a winter's night and we get to practice our skills in night photography.
For the past two years, shooting Vivid Sydney has been a winter event the Husband and I always look forward too. We've made it an annual project of ours because we love seeing the city of Sydney come alive at night, it's an excuse to go out on a winter's night and we get to practice our skills in night photography.
This year, we spent two nights shooting Vivid Sydney. Although we were disappointed with the images of the Lighting of the Sydney Opera Sails due to its VERY interactive images, we still enjoyed the vibe of the city up in lights.
On our first night of shooting, we went up to the Pylon Lookout so we can have a different angle of the Sydney Opera House and the city. It was a bit difficult as we were on the Harbour Bridge and the ground was unstable due to cars and trains passing by. Not to mention that it was more windy up on the bridge too. But it was worth it.
We had a good walk up the stairs to the Pylon Lookout before 6:00PM (start of Vivid Sydney) so we hung out in one of the stairs for a bit and let ourselves be mesmerized by the view around us. One of our friends told us, "Seeing Sydney so beautiful makes me feel lucky to be living here." And I couldn't agree more. The city of Sydney, with or without lights, is always a sight to behold.
We spent a good hour up on the Harbour Bridge and then went back down to shoot some light installations in Circular Quay and to watch the fun activities at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
We hung out at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with friends on the first night. Amidst the disappointment, we tried to enjoy watching the Lighted Sails of the Opera House.
On the second night we took shots of the Vivid Sydney, it was just me and the Husband.
Two years ago, there weren't as many people who came to see Vivid Sydney, but on its third year, Circular Quay on a Friday night was jampacked! And there were more photographers lined up at Passengers Terminal this year too.
Once in a while, a bloke would approach my Husband and I and ask for a few tips in taking photos of the Lighted Sails.
Here are some of the our favourite shots that night:
I especially wanted to see the Fire Dance this year. It was our first time to see it and it didn't disappoint.
This was the crowd in Campbells Cove waiting for the Fire Dance to start.
On the hour and for four minutes, giant 15-metre high flames danced in time to two different soundtracks. Fire jets threw flames higher than a three-storey house and all the people watching were entertained. Watching the Fire Dance was a great finale to a night of enjoying the Vivid Sydney.
My recent article for my column "Life Down Under" for "Ang Kalatas" is about my Vivid Sydney experience. The article and photographs were produced in collaboration with my beloved Husband, Chris Sanchez, as we both worked hard in getting good photos from the event. If you want to read my article, please click this link or click the photo below and it will lead you to the article.
