Last week for monochrome madness, the theme from Dawn, fromThe Day After, was looking at modes of transportation. I had an idea at the time to include old, broken down ones, but then I didn’t do it.
I think old cars and trucks that have just been left are another thing that photographers like to photograph. When I was in Coober Pedy back in 2022, I just fell in love with the place. I would love to go back, but not sure it will ever be on the cards. It is like no other place I’ve ever been to. I really do think it is a very unique town.
Coober Pedy is famous for it’s opals and opal mining, but it is also famous for people living underground. They don’t really live underground, more in man made caves into the rocks there. When you go inside the places you can see the carved rocks. Being in a cave like place the temperature remains constant and can be good. They are also quite dark. If you are going to go to Coober Pedy you have to stay in one of these places. They are really interesting.
It isn’t easy to see here, but there is an entrance to a home that is in the rock there in the image above.
It is a strange place where it is. I wasn’t expecting the landscape to be so barren. In around Uluru I did, but not here. It turned out to be the opposite. There are almost no trees around this town. It gets hot, and I imagine that is why living underground is preferred.
Another thing you see everywhere in Coober Pedy are lots of mining equipment, but it is quite different to what you would expect.
I have no idea how they work, but they are great subjects for photos. You see them everywhere. There isn’t as much mining there anymore, and I guess no market for the mining gear so it is just left there. I guess it goes the same way as most mining places.
Another reason I think Coober Pedy is amazing is the light. I was only there for 3 nights all up, so 3 sunrises and 3 sunsets, what can I say, bloody beautiful. The colours of the early morning and late afternoon are just magnified by the colours of the earth there. It truly is one of the most stunning places. It really is a shame it is in the middle of nowhere and takes hours and hours to drive there.
Well, this post got away from me. I just wanted to show you some of the modes of transportation that you can find in Coober Pedy, instead you got a post on what a wonderful place for photography it is. I have put together a gallery of images for the modes of transport. I hope you enjoy it.
It might seem strange that I have a spaceship as the header image, but if you go to Coober Pedy, you will see that spaceship in the main street. Apparently, they filmed the movie Pitch Black there and the ship was left there. It makes an interesting find as you wander around.
some lovely golden light
⬻𓂀✧ 🔺 ✬ღ☆ 🔺 ∞ ♡ ∞ 🔺 ☆ღ✬ 🔺 ✧𓂀⤖
Thank you Graham, the light there is so amazing.
Awnnnn, kinda love the town’s vibe though
It is quite amazing.
Oh these are beautiful Leanne! I have wanted to go to Coober Pedy since I did Lightning ridge a few years ago – opal mining towns are full of quirk and rust and characters
Thank you Kate. Oh you have to go if you can, it is so fascinating and wonderful. They really are full of that.
Great images! We do love taking pictures of dilapidated vehicles and buildings.
Thank you Dawn, we really do, they are fascinating.
I did a magazine black and white photo essay of “abandoned” homes in my county once, several years ago.
That must have been an amazing experience Dawn, abandoned homes are incredible.
it looks like something from Star Wars
I know what you mean Ziggy.
Awesome photos, Leanne! And the spaceship? Well, that immediately caught my attention—definitely a great choice for a header! 🙂
All the best,
Marc
Thank you Marc. I loved that spaceship, such a funny thing to come across.
We all love an old wreck, don’t we? Maybe it takes one to know one 😉
Hahahahahaha, that is so funny Margaret, thank you. Yes, we do.
what a fascinating placeCoober pedy is
It really is Sue, thank you.
What a weird town and beautifully photographed!
Thank you Anne.
It looks like a deserted town. Did you stay here? Is it close to–I was going to say civilization, but I should say other towns? Fascinating photography, but just a little bit eerie.
It isn’t deserted, but I don’t think it is as busy as it once was. Yeah, we stayed 3 nights on two occassions. No where near anywhere else, I imagine people used to feel quite isolated. Thank you Lois, I love the eerie.
haha! I know you like the eerie–and you photograph it so well!
You know me too well Lois, lol.