LAKE MUNGO
Lake Mungo is an extraordinarily special place. Yes, as a photographer the landscape is breathtaking, but far more importantly, this is a place of immense cultural significance.
Part of the World Heritage-listed Willandra Lakes Region, it is Country of the Barkandji/Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa peoples, whose connection to this landscape stretches back at least 50,000 years. The discoveries of Mungo Woman and Mungo Man helped transform our understanding of the extraordinary depth of Aboriginal history on this continent.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Mungo several times. Early on in my light painting journey, later with a few good mates, and most recently on a workshop with Adam Edwards. Adam has remarkable access to parts of this wild landscape that most visitors will never experience, and being out there with him was something very special.
On a recent trip I created what has become my favourite Ball of Light image I’ve ever made.
A huge part of what that image means to me comes from being there with Rob Turney, a good mate and a great light painter in his own right. Sometimes it isn’t just the place or the photograph that gives an image its meaning. The people you share the experience with become part of it too.
I made a short film below about that night, how the image came together, and why it has stayed with me. See if you can tell which images in the gallery are old and new.
Check out Adam Edwards’ work and his remarkable photography tours:
And check out Rob’s work too. It’s wild:
