In the previous weeks I talked about the top spots to take a photo in Melbourne. Today I want to focus on a single area, St.Kilda.

It is one of my favourite area for sunset photography. The light can change from an intense red to a mild orange, based on season and clouds. I feel like in winter I can always get the best colours, but it may be just a personal feeling.

Beside landscapes head to Fitzroy street for some documentary or street photography.

St.Kilda was well known for drug and prostitution although, in the last decade, the area has been improved and gentrified. Few of the best events are the Pride March and the St.Kilda Festival, both usually in February.

There is a place for some action sports photography with both kitesurf and windsurf, on the west side of the beach. You will not get bored.

Enjoy

#6  East side of St.Kilda beach

You need to plan this photo, it will work only with low tide, and coming from high tide.

The BOM website is my main source for the best timing.

A multitude of small little creeks take shape and it’s easy to play and use the water as a mirror.

Beside the tide the clouds help a lot as well, just think above picture with a clear blue sky.

The photo would not be quite the same.

Complicated planning but the end result can be awesome.

Winter is the best time in this place as in most of the summer the wind can be quite strong and, when not windy, there are many tourists and visitors around.

Check the full post here

#5  The St.Kilda Luna Park

It’s free to enter therefore do not hesitate to step in and take some shots.

Unfortunately, there is one big restriction, you cannot use a tripod.

I was kindly asked to disassemble it just after my first photo, above.

There are some lovely colours in the dark and it is just a real pity to miss a stable base to use.

Whatever, let’s try to do our best with the available tools always having fun of course.

A classic photo is the clown face at the main gate, I still need to find an unusual corner myself 😀

Check the full post here and a view from outside.

#4  The little pier on the main beach

The best time for this place is spring when the sun is setting just at the end of the pier.

It can be very busy here in the summer and, unless you want to include people in the photo, you will not be able to have a clear shot.

This pier has now been demolished

#3  St.Kilda Pavilion

It was not too long ago that the landmark of St Kilda burnt down. It was 2003.

I found this old photo on a forum with an interesting reading.

It has been rebuilt with many people liking the new pavilion and others not happy for the new layout.

Besides all the comments, this place is great for a photo.

Come here on the sunrise for the best colours.

Another awesome result can be achieved in foggy day when the pier is almost hidden, giving a lovely nostalgic effect.

#2  A walk to the sun

Walk to the west side of the beach, where the new West Beach Pavilion is.

There is a bush with a walking path and a bench.

The sun is setting just at the end of it, but only in the summer.

Hard to miss it. The composition can be a winner here.

Check the full post here.

#1 The pier on a cloudy and stormy day

It can be quite wavy in St.Kilda on a stormy day, 1 or 2 metres swell are not unheard of.

A long exposure of 30 seconds can give a smooth and milky foreground in these cases.

A real nostalgic effect.

The biggest problem is the rain that may come at any time.

I was able to take below photo between rainstorms, checking carefully the weather radar on my mobile, a great help for modern photography 🙂

View Top 6 sites to take a photo in St.Kilda in a larger and interactive map

How to come to St.Kilda?

In Melbourne take either tram 16, 96 or 12.

From Chapel Street there is tram 79, but only at the weekend.

A taxi can cost you between $20 and $30 from the CBD