The seasons have turned rather quickly here in Melbourne.  It seemed like we were all complaining about the prolonged summer and the use or air conditioners and then all of a sudden it got cold. The older I get, the more it is evident that the seasons are messed up. Not like when I was a kid. So with this in mind, on the coldest day of the year to date, I went and organised a street walk with the crew from Fuji X Aus. As a reminder, I am one of the administrators of that exceptional group, and it is such a great community. They are my tribe, and most of my social events evolve around that group.

I have written extensively about my love of Melbourne’s markets and of my many visits with and without Fuji X Aus, to day and night markets at various times of the year. One of my all time favourites is the Queen Victoria Summer Night Market. On a hot sunny afternoon, it feels like all of Melbourne turn out to this event with aisles and aisles of food vendors, bars and entertainment. But on this night, at what seemed like a million miles from summer, we braved the Queen Victoria Euro Night Market. There were only six of us in total that braved the cold.

The market was themed on European food stalls, and it took up only about one-third of the size of the summer night market. But the food vendors on hand sold amazing street style food. Whole lambs sizzled on spits. Large pans of paella beckoned. The smells of cooking meat were in the air as was a mist of smoke and steam.  A couple of bars had set up also selling beer and wine and even hot mead. Having learned from previous night markets, we chose to eat early before it got too crowded as then there would be long lines for food. Having eaten and waited for everyone to arrive, we talked shop as per usual.

This left the rest of the evening to stroll around the market and capture images to our liking and style. There was a band playing to one side of the indoor space. And a silent walking disco bounced throughout the market in silent unison. For those that have not seen one, a silent disco is where a group of people wear headphones that are wirelessly connected to the leaders. He is usually a very dynamic and colourful performer that leads the group and choreographs dances and activities. Fun to watch and photograph too.

I personally love this kind of setting for street photography. Lots of people from all walks of life just out enjoying the opportunity to experience something different at the end of a working day. A shift in the day to day humdrum. People dancing, laughing and participating in life. All of the images I captured were taken with the Fujifilm X-T3 and the XF23mmF2. That was all I took with me aside from a spare battery in my pocket. Indeed makes it easy to get around packed places when you don’t have a bulky camera bag on your back or hip. This is how I like to shoot. Camera in hand and nothing more distracting me. If you are in town on a Wednesday night, do a quick search on Queen Victoria Night Market as it runs most of the year. Usually starts at 5pm. Up next is the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market. Happy shooting.