vignetting

One of a great series of photos made when the buildings were almost completed, and not yet occupied by the Lunatic Asylum. See others from the series also on Flickr -

" ... There is a large water tower 100 feet high, which contains two large tanks for supplying water in case of fire. One of these tanks is at an elevation of 34 feet, contains 14,987 gallons, and weighs 67 tons; the second has an elevation of 74 feet, contains 14,250 gallons of water, the weight being 63 1/2 tons. The water is forced into them by a Targye pump, placed there for the express purpose ... "

Read all about it - SMH 16/06/1885 p.5 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13591166

I am not sure whether the posts are marking the underground water tanks. From the same newspaper article -

" ... An ample supply of water has been provided by the excavation of two underground tanks, each 152 feet in length, 50 foot wide, and 20 foot and 3 inches in depth, the tanks when filled containing together 1,886,*52 gallons. ..."

The tower door (see note) has an insciption carved above it - V I R - Victoria Imperator Regina MDCCCLXXXIII - 1883 See investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/asp/photosearch/photo.asp...

This is so, so beautiful. The marks and spotting all over the frame add a sense of mysteriousness and depth to the whole image. I love how it seems to provide a natural vignetting, leaving the subject matter and light in the centre of the frame to tell the story. There are those who might spend hours in Photoshop creating layers to achieve this effect, and as a film lover, I'd probably try a double or even multiple exposure and some negative trashing to achieve it. I'm assuming that it's related to degradation of the original image over time, but I don't know that. For me, it's inspirational. Thankyou so much for putting this online, otherwise it is unlikely I would ever have seen it. :)

Hi, this photo is being discussed in one of the projects in the Flickr Commons group, and we'd love to have this added to the group pool!

This is so, so beautiful. The marks and spotting all over the frame add a sense of mysteriousness and depth to the whole image. I love how it seems to provide a natural vignetting, leaving the subject matter and light in the centre of the frame to tell the story. There are those who might spend hours in Photoshop creating layers to achieve this effect, and as a film lover, I'd probably try a double or even multiple exposure and some negative trashing to achieve it. I'm assuming that it's related to degradation of the original image over time, but I don't know that. For me, it's inspirational. Thankyou so much for putting this online, otherwise it is unlikely I would ever have seen it. :) Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Definitivamente, la técnica fotográfica de principios de siglo XX aunque fue muy primitiva, produjo un efecto único y emotivo en cada fotografía que no se lo logra ahora...

such a beautiful old picture

The date "pre March 1883" is way off - the Anderson Stuart Building was completed in 1891, so this photo must be c.1890. Designed by Edmund Blacket (University Architect) - I thought that might be him in the top hat, but he died in 1883 - adb.anu.edu.au/biography/blacket-edmund-thomas-3005. Fascinating to see how the building was built - sandstone carved on site and lifted on flimsy wooden gantry and scaffolding. That would have been hard work.

timber gantry? how do they cope without a crane for all that sandstone? ie: we want that 2 ton block here, but now 2 feet to the left?

beachcomber australia Yes - you're right c. 1890 would be more appropriate! From the University of Sydney website "1891 The first part of the Anderson Stuart Building was completed" sydney.edu.au/medicine/museum/mwmuseum/index.php/Key_dates .

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/51979177@N02] There's lots still to find out about this photo. Some sources say James Barnet was the architect - imho he was completing Blacket's design. It could be a little earlier than 1890 because there is a photo dated 1890 from St Andrews College, showing the Medical School at right - sydney.edu.au/arms/archives/media/me_objects/9 . This is the EASTERN Elevation of the original double-H design - there were later additions to the north / right of photo - Bing - binged.it/TDjROp GoogleMapsSatelliteView - maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Sydney+NSW&hl=en&ll=-33... "Sir Topham Hatt" has me puzzled - he looks so like Blacket, and not like Barnet. He appears proudly in another view (the north elevation under construction) - investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/asp/photosearch/photo.asp....

Here we go - Description of the building as being nearly completed and anticipating an official opening in January 1888 (the Centennial) - SMH 8/11/1887 p.9 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13670150 So earlier date for this photo 1887? And James Barnet WAS the architect - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13580843