Friday, December 17, 2010, 08:39 AM
Everything about Melbourne, Australia is perfectly perfect. It is one of those magical places that feels like walking into yourself. It rained nostalgia...it felt like parts of us needed to be picked up along the streets of Melbourne, like we were meant to be there. 

Melbourne was like the perfect old sweatshirt... or the perfect fuzzy pillow on your bed. It's all too familiar, it smells just right and you know you are home in some strange way. It was like colliding with another home that we didn't know we had thousands of miles around the world. It was charmingly overcast and scarves and layers were a requirement, much to our liking considering my heaven is a world full of old books, overcast skies and people walking around with lots of beautiful layers (with the occasional break out in musical song and dance of course). Which is why Seattle is my perfectly perfect place and why Melbourne is my perfect place's little brother. They come from the same DNA. 

Chris and I shot too many rolls of film to count. we just couldn't help ourselves. it was all too much to handle. the colors, the smells, the people, the vintage, the city, the street art, the independent spirit of it all.... it is a place that kind of gives a finger to the confines of the world, but does it with a little smile and a nod. I like that. Melbourne just kind of says, "It's not about what you have, it's about living a life that matters to you.." And my-oh-my was the coffee ever brilliant there. The barista's were true artists... I think I just sat and stared at most of my drinks in awe before I dared destroy that kind of beautiful milk mastery :) 

I could go on and on about Melbourne.... but I'll let the images do the talking... they tell a fine enough story about this beautiful little perfectly perfect place. 

For those wondering, the following frames were all shot with a combination of our Leica M6 &  the Contax 645

Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (25)
Julia Manchik says: Friday, February 11, 2011, 02:46 AM

Sarah- Yuriy and I are currently in Sydney and taking a road trip to Melbourne in the next few days. Your photos are getting me all antsy. I remember you saying on Twitter it reminded you so much of Seattle, and I can't wait to see it for myself. Were there any "must go to" places that you can recommend for us?

adam says: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 09:42 PM

I love your street photography maybe more than anything else you have done here. It's so raw and visceral!

hailey says: Thursday, December 30, 2010, 04:21 PM

ohhh how wonderful to see my favourite city in your blog!

Beautiful work as always... I am inspired and delighted! My fav is the bw photo booth that I love!! Now we want to see the photos you took!! ;)

Kelly Tunney says: Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 01:13 AM

Only discovering these now....wowwee!!! Such an awesome series yet every frame has such impact. Beautiful - I love them :)

jaine says: Thursday, December 23, 2010, 03:17 AM

amazing. hope sydney is as great at melbourne! great shots...

Gemma says: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 11:12 PM

So lovely to see my Melbourne through Rhoads eyes :)
That Swanston St reflection shot, just perfect!

Andrea Mull says: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 12:30 PM

Your work is beautiful! I love coming to your blog and seeing what you have created. I am always so inspired and I look forward to seeing your next post! Happy Holidays and best wishes in 2001 :)

jen k. says: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 11:28 AM

you always make happy thoughts in my head - you guys are so great!

Christine says: Monday, December 20, 2010, 04:33 PM

Beautiful memories created by beautiful souls. Love the way you see Melbourne, my fave Australian city. :) Miss the Rhoadsies.

Sean McLean says: Monday, December 20, 2010, 12:20 PM

Looks like a blast

Vanderboom says: Monday, December 20, 2010, 07:22 AM

Hey. looks like it was a grand adventure.

Kristin says: Sunday, December 19, 2010, 03:25 PM

these are wonderful! love the story they tell! I love seeing a place through a photographer's eyes. how do you travel with film? I guess more so fast film, do you have it out and checked or do you just send it through the xray machines? thanks for sharing your trip!

Anonymous says: Sunday, December 19, 2010, 11:13 AM

@Caitlin I'm thinking about setting up a gallery online for art prints. I'll post more about it on the blog if & when I get to it on my to do list :)

Caitlin Walthall says: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 08:49 AM

Amazing work. Just curious... do you sell prints of your photography?

caroline lee says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 07:18 PM

oh yay. i've been sooo anxious for this post! i could hardly wait to see my favorite city through your eyes, and you've captured the gritty, raw goodness of it so beautifully. sigh. more excited than ever to head there next week! xx

Lisa says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 05:09 PM

So glad you guys enjoyed a special little piece of Australia. I had a feeling you would love Melbs. Its such a great city and very 'you'. : )

Annie says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 03:25 PM

Strange waking up from a dream where I was going to Melbourne and then seeing these :) I've never been before, but maybe now I should? I love when you shoot in film :)

Samm Blake says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 02:34 PM

Love these images Sarah. I go to Melbourne next week, you have me excited :) xoxo

Dorothy says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 11:35 AM

love. loove. lurve ;)

Calvin Michael West says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 10:27 AM

I can't believe that Obama was on that wall. Talk about reach. Dang.

Tori says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 09:57 AM

Wow, this is like a story! I don't understand how you transform such common things into such a beautiful masterpiece! It's quite a talent.

Laura says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 09:40 AM

These are amazing!

anda says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 09:17 AM

love them. i've been shooting more film too lately. but we don't have a pro lab (or even a decent one) in madison, so i have all the rolls stockpiled in my sock drawer.

Katie says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 08:46 AM

LOOOOVE these. I'm in love with my contax 645, but isn't it just a beast!?! I lugged mine across three countries in Europe this fall, and was oh so glad I did!

Alex says: Friday, December 17, 2010, 08:45 AM

Loooove these!