From a photographer pensioner's perspective, not being able to afford high-price accommodation, the Aaron Motel in Gladstone, Queensland, made our overnight stay quite affordable. The relative ease with which one, or as many as you wish, can access the Gladstone CBD and waterfront is well worth the inconvenience of the Motel's semi-urban location. The benefit there being this location, unalike the nearby CBD, does not have the volume of noise and traffic as it's visible neighbour. Earlier bedtimes, all the rage with some oldies. If wearing rose tinted glasses, upon removal, notice you may have a, well behaved, tradie's 4wd parked next to your vehicle. Tact is all that's needed to overcome any phobia of tradies. Seriously, try striking up a conversation, maybe about their job, to' break the ice'. So much is learnt through talking. The photographer would do very well by visiting, within reasonable walking distance, the Eastern Shores Precinct after dark. Its coloured water fountain feature is a boon. The rest of the walk around the park's perimeter has many interesting angles and intensities of light. Maybe stop and watch the latest cricket match on a large screen on the grassy reserve. If, unavoidably, you fall asleep on the lawn till dawn, carry on with an early daylight re-shoot. A casual stroll to waterfront proper will realise the same satisfying results as the previous night's shoot. This time it's gulls perched on a mast top, glints of sunrise masking storm clouds, images of a yellow hulled ketch reflected in the smooth, aqua marine, surface of its host body of water. Make sure that you're shooting-away during the morning MLH, ( Magic light Hour), be there well before 8:00 a.m., after which you can expect your stately carriage to turn into a photoshop project. Don't jig around for too long, there's the CBD and all it's got to offer including the coffee. And, of course, the short walk to your unit at the Aaron for a well earned, mid-morning nanny/ poppy nap. Enjoy.
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