Before Time Does Its Thing

I can’t believe it’s almost five years since I photographed the newly built sports facilities at La Trobe University.

I kind of knew about its construction when I was doing my master’s degree there, but then after graduation COVID hit and things went silent. Then around mid 2021, when things eased, I joined Heidelberg Volleyball Club and was amazed to find out our training sessions were held there.

I remember the first day I arrived ready for training and saw this incredible building. It was so big and it looked so good that the only thing I thought was, I have to photograph it before time does its thing.

One Sunday afternoon in winter, I packed my gear into the car and embraced a few cold hours and a head full of ideas.

The place was amazing. It felt like everything was prepared for this shoot. Not many cars, not many people, just the right ones, good light, and me with my camera. Nothing more I needed.

I started walking here and there, remembering the previous spots I had explored months earlier and waiting for the right moment. I knew I only had a few minutes to get what I needed, so I had to move quickly.

At twilight, the race began. I knew what I wanted and where to start. My first approach was to frame the entire façade with the sun reflecting off it, then slowly explore other angles, moving closer and focusing on details.

I rushed through that 20 to 30 minute window of light and managed to capture what I wanted. At least in camera. Post-processing was the next adventure. It took several hours per image, but the outcome was something I was genuinely happy with.

Looking back at the images now, I realise it was more than just a building. It was a moment in time. A place I once walked as a student, later returned to as a player, and eventually photographed as a professional. Somehow it holds all those versions of me in one frame.

La Trobe Sports Stadium, Stage 2, Bundoora, Victoria. Completed January 2020. Designed by Warren and Mahoney in association with MJMA for La Trobe University. Constructed by ADCO Constructions, with project management by TSA Management. Sustainability and ESD engineering by Arup, building services engineering by Stantec. Partner and funding contributor Banyule City Council.