Gallery Pick of the Week
Instead of just showing pretty pictures only, here we have space for contributors to discuss their images every week.
This is a great opportunity to get some insight from the original photographer and the content is entirely open. It could be anything from the personal feeling of the photographer about the image to any photographic techniques or location knowledge he/she would like to share with our visitors.
Gallery Pick of the Week > September 2008
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A Portrait of Launceston Part 2 - Launceston’s Architectural Heritage, 9/9/08, Anne O'Connor Most people would say that the most remembered and loved feature of Launceston was her buildings. Within Launceston’s walls is argueably believed to be the largest collection... |
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Anne O'Connor - A Portrait of Launceston Part 2 - Launceston’s Architectural Heritage, 9/9/08
Most people would say that the most remembered and loved feature of Launceston was her buildings. Within Launceston’s walls is argueably believed to be the largest collection of nineteenth century buildings in Australia. Walking along her streets one can visualize Georgian, transitional Gothic revival and various Victorian styles, along with Federation and Arts & Crafts. These historic architectural styles range over a 100+ year period, from the 1820’s to the 1930’s with a large percentage of domestic architecture built of weatherboard (timber).
Many of these beautiful buildings and houses invite comment by visitors and should you have the occasion to visit the city, it is recommended that you take the time to wander around some of her inner suburbs to look at the rows of character cottages in the streets. Doing so, you would be taken back in time to the beginnings of Launceston’s foundation.
Launceston Streets
Photographically, the streets are mostly built on a North - South or East -West direction, which again makes it hard to capture the features, contending with constant shadows across the faces. To add to the complication, most buildings have verandahs. The North-South streets are easier to take images when the sun hits the houses face on. So a walk before breakfast is possibly the best time. Or perhaps just a section of a building, rather than a whole.
Areas to explore
Some suggested areas that offer hidden secrets are South Launceston, Invermay, city area, the top ends of St.John Street and Charles Street and areas around Margaret Streets, the Brickfields park etc.
High Street & Elphin Road and the smaller streets that come off these, offer some majestic houses that are highly sought after by prospective buyers. Newstead too, has many beautiful weatherboard houses that have been re-furbished and date back from the early 20th century. Just take time and use your feet to walk off the main thoroughfares to find the inner secrets that Launceston has to offer.
Another favourite is Café Blue, a spot to sit and relax and enjoy a good coffee in between exploring the area. Again a heritage building that once housed a section of the Railway workshops.
Around the back of the museum complex, near to the boilermakers workshop, is to be found some magic corrigated iron structures that invite photographers all over. To get to these areas that are now part of the museum, one must enter the museum and go out through the back doors into the yard. The railway tracks are still laid alongside the buildings and there is a modern built structure resembling a railway platform. You can see the roof of it in the distance.
This platform structure is the beginning of the boardwalk that takes you along the north esk river to the entrance of the Inveresk complex. In the distance you will see the original Launceston Gas works, which again is an icon that waits to be photographed. Leaving the boardwalk, you wander along the river, crossing the two bridges and you pick up the boardwalk again at the seaport, where you can follow this walk to Ritchie’s Mill and the mouth of the Tamar and on into the Cataract Gorge.
To be continued.