Changing Melbourne Suburbia // Muse Melbourne
What used to be mainly 1960s-1990s commercial offices along St Kilda Road are now being demolished at a dramatic rate for residential tower blocks. I documented the commercial tower block that once stood here and now photographing the new kid on the block. It's wonderful to have a collection of photographs of what once was, what's being demolished and what is rising. The rate is so rapid that what once was is quickly forgotten to time. The photograph remains as a witness to this relentless change.
The office block that stood prior to the current redevelopment
New residential tower blocks such as this one are replacing many St Kilda Road buildings
Dark Streets of Melbourne
A couple of recent captures for my project -- Insignificant Moments -- Skyscrapers keep the city streets in almost eternal darkness, but there presence creates light patterns and reflections that are inspiring for image making. Whilst my book has sold out from this project limited edition prints are available via the link in the bio above. These photos printed and hung on a wall are far more immersive compared to how small they are on social media. Available on my website
South Melbourne - Order through Chaos
I love trying to find compositions in visual chaos in attempting to tell a story of my broader project. In this case it’s my long term project documenting Melbourne suburbia and how quickly its changing. I love areas in transition, in this area are car yards, industrial and manufacturing building and busy roads and surrounding freeways. The new tower blocks loom over this ‘‘old world’’ and are a reminder of the change and how much change will continue to happen. The photograph ripens like a good wine or cheese with time, looking back at photographs of such spaces is a reminder of the power of photography to distill a point in time forever, when in reality everything is in constant and radical change.
Towers Rise from Suburbia - South Melbourne
Captured as part of my project photographing the dramatically changing landscape of Melbourne and its suburbs. Pretty much every building you see in this picture wasn't here just a few years ago. In fact the park wasn't there too, it was a council depot and had a huge road around it. There was also a 1960s warehouse to the left just out of scene that has since been demolished too. These long terms projects are fascinating - looking back at my archives provides a dramatic witness to how much change has happened.
Taking Pre-orders for my new book ‘‘In Memoriam’’
I’m excited to announce my latest book “In Memoriam” By using the built environment as a living canvas and a visual metaphor, the project explores and reflects on the notion: When we are gone, where do our memories go?
Pre-order exclusive: Get a free copy of my book In Memoriam when you purchase any limited edition print of the cover photograph from the book. Limited edition prints are signed, numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity that includes a backstory on how I captured the image. This offer ends Monday 11th of August. Prints will ship with book approx 18th August. Order your copy here
Book will go on general sale approximately 18th August 2025, taking pre-orders now.
Tasmanian Flour Mills // Launceston Landmarks
One of seventy four architectural photographs exploring the northern city of of Launceston in my project Launceston Landmarks. Hardcover book and limited edition prints available via my website http://www.tryanphotos.com/store
Launceston has a rich and distinctive built environment, and it’s this unique character and ambience that’s provided me with profound inspiration in photographing the city.
Launceston Landmarks is the culmination of countless walks exploring and photographing Tasmania’s putative northern capital. After more than two decades of being inquisitive, hundreds of walks throughout the city, countless experimentation, failures and successes, I have come to know Launceston, through the lens of my camera, as though it were my best friend.
This impressive industrial building takes up a large complex within the confines of the central business district. This entire precinct, by the North Esk river which would have once been an important trade route for goods provides a rich tapestry of architecture from all periods of design reflecting the areas industrial heritage. Its amazing the flour mill is still being used today, in many other cities these would have long been converted into other uses. Watching the flour trucks come in whilst making photos over the years and hear in the sounds of Boags Brewery behind me really evoke the industrial ambiance of this precinct.
This photograph and others are available in my hardcover book and as limited edition prints via my website http://www.tryanphotos.com/store
Bridgewater Bridge Opening
The new Bridgewater Bridge will be officially opened by a public walk across it this Sunday the 1st June 2025. The bridge will be open to traffic on Monday. The bridge will replace the current landmark Modernist 1940s bridge which has served as a connection between the North and the South for 79 years. Captured for posterity these photographs were captured during the construction of the new Bridgewater Bridge and the old bridge as it looked well prior to the current development. Photographs of the development, including the old Bridge are available as limited edition prints and as bundle. Available now directly though my store
West Gate Bridge and West Gate Tunnel project
Some recent edits from my large body of work documenting the West Gate Bridge and West Gate Tunnel project.
''Launceston Town Hall is a Bastard'' // Launceston Landmarks Book
The imposing town hall was designed in 1864 by Launceston architect, Peter Mills. What fascinates me about history and buildings is often the shock of the new and newspaper reviews are important reminders of how buildings we might enjoy weren't necessarily viewed in the same way when they were once new.
The local Examiner newspaper wrote in 1867 that ''The Town Hall is a bastard, or more properly speaking, a plasterer's Corinthian. The designer appears to have studied how far he could outrage goode taste and set delicacy and refinement at defiance by obtruding as many points and angles upon the eye as it was possible to crowd into the two wings. The windows, surmounted with large and ungainly pediments look like a young houses growing out of the side of the building, and the way in which they are crowded together is an irresistible reminder of the house that Jack built''
Researching this kind of opinion fascinates me as it shows that we are simply products of our time and that it could be argued its not for us to say what is good/bad doesn't fit in etc as future generations will judge us for what we have left. Another interesting point about the town hall is that when it was built it only had a few columns at the front, the building was much smaller when it was originally built. It was extended out in the 1930s to what we see today - imagine if the Examiner newspaper writer saw it then! This is another important point and one in which I explore in my latest book ''Launceston Landmarks'' The buildings change over time, they aren't static time capsules, they change and adapt as human need arises.
The book is available for preorder as are limited edition fine art prints of the town hall and 74 other Launceston Landmarks. I a excited to be sharing these images, many which I've not shared before until now http://www.tryanphotos.com/launceston-landmarks
Launceston Town Hall - 1 of 74 photographs that feature in my hardcover book - Launceston Landmarks
Death of Suburbia - one by one they fall - Cremorne
My project photographing the rapid built changes occurring throughout Melbourne I take the time to photograph the often overlooked spaces and places of the city. The big changes are obvious, huge skyscrapers and massive demolitions, but it’s the everyday suburban scenes such as this one that fascinate me and draw me to make photographs. I photographed these four 19th Century cottages over many years, getting to know them like a good friend. This capture was at immanent demolition. I am drawn to hoarding on demolitions, I think it’s a visual metaphor for the final moments of life of these homes. I like how the hoarding obscures and almost like its smothering any feeling of what were once homes. I always find it emotional and thought provoking how lives are lived in these homes for well over 100 years, and in a matter of days it’s as if they never existed, only the photograph remains as a reminder of this everyday yet radical change. View my Cremorne project gallery
Sleepy South Melbourne - rapidly changing Suburbia
One of my many long term projects has been documenting the fast building landscape of Melbourne which has recently surpassed Sydney by population. By 2050 Melbourne is projected to grow to over 10,000,000. There has never been a more important time to be documenting, there has been so much demolition and rebirth in my time documenting for this project. South Melbourne is one such example of this dramatic change. Even since I have been documenting many spaces are unrecognisable. The aim of this project is to have a visual reminder of what once stood as well as a record of what's being constructed. No doubt one day to be demolished and the cycle repeat all over. These are some of my recent edits from my archived visits to South Melbourne
Launceston Landmarks book // Limited Edition Prints // Coming Soon
What buildings will feature in my upcoming hardcover book “Launceston Landmarks”? Will your favourite feature? Pre orders of the book will be available soon.
Melbourne Arts Centre
The Melbourne Arts Centre - part of my ongoing project documenting Modernist design in Melbourne. Designed by Sir Roy Grounds the wispy clouds dance with the smooth curving forms of this beautiful design. The public sculpture ''Forward Surge'' by Artist Inge King. The lines and shapes of both designs compliment one another.
South Lawn Car Park - University of Melbourne
From my ongoing project capturing Melbourne Modernism, the captivating South Lawn Car Park at the University of Melbourne with its mushroom like concrete curves is an inspiring space to witness. Constructed in 1971 it’s a fine example of how a car park can be more than just a functional space. Melbourne has several great examples of car parks from the Modernist era. The car park was entered into the State Heritage Register in 1994
.
Architects - Loder and Bayley // Harris, Lange and Partners
.
Engineer - Jan van der Molen
.
Landscape - Ellis Stones and Ronald Rayment
Passing Franco Cozzo and the Changing Face of Footscray
The changing landscape of the Melbourne suburb of Footscray is immense. Here we see the former furniture store of Franco Cozzo and in the background cranes and tower blocks of new residential towers. As people and memories of the built environment pass, new memories emerge...the cycle is endless, immense and intense...
Cremorne Melbourne - Documenting Memory before it’s Lost Forever
I’ve been visiting the suburb of Cremorne in Melbourne over several years for a project documenting the suburb's rapid rate of change. Many of my projects are long term ranging from weeks, months and even decades.
Reviewing my current photographic collection for the Cremorne project I have amassed in excess of 20,000 photographs and countless visits (this number only includes those keyworded with “Cremorne” and doesn’t include files I’ve yet to keyword!) Repeatedly exploring a given location forms part of my creative process. How the light changes throughout the day and seasons means the opportunities to create photography are constantly variable. Mix this with a suburb under immense change due to redevelopment, Cremorne provides a rich playground for documentary photography.
All these visits and photographs got me thinking as to why I go back again and again. I remember once when I was out photographing in Launceston for my Tasmanian Art Deco and Modernism project a passerby struck up a conversation with me and jokingly said haven't you got everything already, mentioning this as I had said I had been shooting the project for over two decades.
For me I think it’s about the chase for perfection. The irony is there can never be perfect, but how the light shapes the built environment plays a pivotal role in how I make images that I’m happy with. The time of day and/or season are central in keeping me coming back again and again in the pursuit of finding the “best” conditions to represent my vision. I guess having an archive of photographs of the same scene allows me to look back and choose a particular mood I’m after, or think about how a series of photographs will work as a series side by side to tell the story of this suburb's dramatic change.
Here I share a few photos explaining my process of how I go about making and selecting photos, of a subject I’ve photographed many times over.
The sun had just started to hit the corner of the building, not what I was after…
Success! Coming back around half hour later clouds blocked the sun…and still no cars parked!
This former manufacturing/industrial building is typical of the once booming era of manufacturing in Melbourne and is typical of many of designs in Cremorne. They are fast becoming a memory being demolished for new offices, this one pictured above has recently been slated for demolition. Capturing these buildings before they are lost forever is paramount to me for there to be a record for posterity when such places are long forgotten. There are several things that go into planning for a photoshoot, and for this scene (and many others) includes how the light is hitting the building and traffic. I wanted even light and overcast days are of course great for this. The forecast was for a cloudy morning with cloud breaking in late morning. Of course, as is often the case, the weather didn’t play good and there was more sun than cloud. The other major challenge is car parking which is in front of this building. I want a building with no obstructions and this building is very difficult to capture without cars, it involves many trips back for success. I won’t photograph scenes if there’s a car parked out front, preferring to return when there are none. It lets the architecture speak without distraction.
As the sun was rising it was hitting the top corner of the building, to me this was distracting so whilst there were no cars I needed no sun on the building. Thankfully some large clouds from the south were moving over and I was able to make photographs some time later with the sun obscured. This gave me even lighting and only requiring a single exposure.
Coming back some time later when some clouds came over momentarily blocked the sun providing even light which is what I was after
The next photograph typifies Cremorne and it’s highrise change. Down come suburban homes of old for new tower blocks. I love the juxtaposition of small and large in my photos, a kind of unsettling feel of chance as well showing in a visually striking way the changes that are occurring in this once sleepy neighbourhood. With the clouds coming over I was able to make photographs on evenly lit light. Whilst I don’t mind the version with the sun out, it’s a little too harsh for my liking. Sure it emphasises the shapes of the high-rise concrete, but I feel I lose detail/attention in the cottages in the foreground. The clouds only lasted for 10 or so minutes, allowing me to capture a variety of lighting conditions.
Reflected light is beautiful to work with when making photographs
This is a relatively new building in Cremorne, and I love its rusty patina and a nod to the industrial architecture and history that was once prominent in the suburb. Here I shot the scene backlit, the sun is reflecting on the building behind me bouncing light back onto the subject creating interesting light patterns giving it depth and pop. This is just part of my process and thinking when I’m making photos out int the field. I feel like I’ve made progress on my Cremorne project after many years of shooting, and I look forward to sharing photographs on my website and social media. I have starte an Instagram page dedicated to my Cremorne project here
Cairns Masonic Temple
Far North Queensland has a rich diversity of design from the Art Deco and Modernist era. Having grown up here, the region has had a big influence on my architectural photography practice and documentation of my Tasmanian Modernism project. I would like to share some of the places and architecture of my childhood in future posts. Like my Tasmanian Art Deco and Modernism project I’ve worked on for over two decades, I have been documenting FNQ for over a similar period of time. This is the former Cairns Masonic Temple, designed in the 1930s. Fine art limited edition prints from this project are now available on my website.
Brunswick - Railway Hotel
I love the patina of this beautiful old hotel in Brunswick, Melbourne. This photograph is part of a larger body of work documenting Melbourne suburbia. My book ‘‘Suburbia: Keeping Up Appearances’’ is available through my website here
The fast changing landscape of suburbia in Melbourne - Box Hill
Box Hill is located just 20km to Melbourne CBD it continues to change at a rapid pace. Melbourne // Upwards & Outwards is an ongoing project exploring the transformation of change to Melbourne's residential skyline. Melbourne has a population of 4 million people, with predictions it could reach 10 million in the very near future. The project explores Melbourne residential architecture from the mid 20th Century through to the contemporary period. The landscape of Melbourne continues to be dramatically transformed. View project gallery here
Insignificant Moments - Book and Prints Available Now
I am excited to make available my latest publication - Insignificant Moments. Book and prints from the project available through my website via the link in the bio above. Thank you for your support!
About the project - Insignificant Moments explores concepts relating to the built environment we engage with every day, including loneliness, isolation, atomisation and vulnerability, and considers the notion that the insignificant moments in our daily lives are the soul of these man-made spaces. Steeped in the austere and the lonely, there is nevertheless an inherent beauty in these insignificant moments.
As a photographer, I regularly immerse myself in exploring the built environment to find inspiration for my projects. Here, I’m inspired by the architecture, streets, and fleeting moments in a rushed world.
Insignificant Moments provides me with the opportunity to capture the fragility and ephemeral nature of human presence in the built environment. Being surrounded by people moving around in their own worlds within this environment, it struck me that I could go days without conversing with another human being. These feelings and perceptions are emphasised in this project through solitary figures overshadowed and dwarfed by the structures they pass by.
Book + Prints from the project available now through my website here
