If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve attended, or have plans to attend, a photography-related event. Perhaps you’ve been to a couple of workshops, a multi-day tour to a fantastic location, or perhaps you’ve attended a talk at a camera store. If you’re a local to Victoria, Australia, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the Bright Festival of Photography. And if you're especially lucky (pardon the pun), you’ve previously attended BFOP and participated in the organised chaos and shenanigans. Justin (Lucky Straps founder and all-around nice guy) and I attended the 2024 BFOP weekend in the gorgeous regional town of Bright, Victoria. BFOP had it all! Countless workshops, insightful and inspirational instructors, pulled-pork rolls, games, giveaways, and probably the best nighttime shenanigans I’ve ever seen. It really is a festival like no other!
The flip side to the joy and delight of BFOP is that not everyone can make it to Bright for the weekend-long festival in October. We all have commitments and responsibilities. But imagine if you could scoop up all of those separate BFOP experiences and condense them into a single day—a day full of mystery, delight, inspiration, and a lot of BFOP magic. That’s exactly what the brains behind BFOP created, and what’s more, they paired it with the 40th Birthday celebrations of Croydon Camera House - a leading supporter of BFOP. Matt Krumins and Nick Fletcher are the dynamic duo responsible for the crazy goodness that is the best photography festival in the world (probably). Matt and Nick have heard the cry from visual creatives everywhere pleading for more photography festival goodness and shenanigans. Justin and I were invited along to the BFOP X Croydon Camera House day to support the BFOP team and capture behind-the-scenes content.
Study Time
Little was known about the plans of the day. However, I suspect Justin had more inside knowledge than he let on. Anyone attending the day was given an arrival time and a location - nothing more. Justin and I met up with Matt Krumins on the steps outside the State Library of Victoria first thing in the morning. With a fresh hot coffee in hand, we waited as scores of photographers arrived to take part in the day. Built in 1854, the State Library of Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and once housed Melbourne’s museum exhibitions. After decades of renovation, the facility has returned to its roots as a public library, museum, gallery, and event space. While the steps of the library were the meeting place, we were soon to head inside for a study experience like no other. The State Library was hosting Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis, a multimedia collection of the iconic photographer’s works, stories, and images.
“Melbourne Out Loud is a collection of iconic, unseen, and everyday photographs from one of our greatest chroniclers. A celebration of going out, being seen and being yourself.”
But rather than simply marching into the library to explore the exhibition, we were provided with wireless headphones and introduced to one of the curators, who led us on a private, narrated tour of the Rennie Ellis exhibition. The State Library of Victoria boasts one of the most beautiful reading rooms of any library. The reading room is a stunning blend of old-world charm and nostalgia, and the six-story dome includes multiple upper-level viewing galleries. We passed through the reading room to reach the ample exhibition space for Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis. The exhibition blended still images and videos documenting the artists' works. Plus, there were banging soundtracks with music from the 70s and 80s playing. It was a fascinating experience learning more about an amazing local documentary-style photographer.
Street Photography With A Twist
We emerged from the State Library into the bright and fresh morning light. We were encouraged to keep our wireless headsets on for the next leg of our BFOP adventure. It turns out the headsets weren’t the library's property but Guru Dudu's. Guru Dudu is a local Melbourne Silent Disco company, and they were on hand to guide us through our next BFOP adventure. The BFOP group was split into two smaller groups, with a Guru Dudu leader guiding each.
While still on the steps of the State Library, with the music cranking, we were led through warm-up songs and group dance moves before being led on a raucous parade through the busy morning streets of Melbourne. We jived along Swantson Street, danced onto a Burke Street tram, and sang to couples getting married on the steps of Victoria’s parliament. We even stormed a shoe store and serenaded couples picnicking in the Treasury Gardens. It was a magical experience with everyone dancing and singing along to an epic soundtrack. It’s hard to describe the experience in any other way than groove-guided street photography. The leads from Guru Dudu led the two BFOP dance teams through the Treasury Gardens and onto a coach waiting to take us to our next mystery destination.
A Walk In The Park
Our 40-minute bus ride flew by as we took a moment to reflect on the Rennie Ellis exhibition and the silent disco fiasco. Before long, we arrived at Ringwood Lake Park and filed off the bus to find The Camera Life alumni Ian Tan. If you’ve watched our interview with Ian or joined his workshop on the BFOP weekend, you’ll know he is a cosplay photographer. Cosplay is the art of creating and wearing prop-like costumes and taking on the persona of a character from popular movies, animation, manga, comics, video games, and more. Ian and his four cosplay models were on hand for the BFOPers to pose and photograph at various locations around Ringwood Lake Park. True to the craft, the cosplay artists took up their positions and poses while the BFOP crowd photographed them.
While Ian and his crew of amazing models worked their magic, pizzas were delivered to the park for all BFOP attendees. It was a gorgeous day, and many of us used the lunch break to chat and catch up on the day's events, and to catch up since we last met at BFOP 2024. Justin and I were often asked if Lucky Straps would be at VBFOP 2025. I’m here to tell you that wild horses couldn't keep us away! Before long, we were ushered back onto the bus and headed to our next unknown destination for more BFOP madness.
Bang That Drum!
It was only a short trip between Ringwood Lake Park and our next destination. We arrived at the outskirts of Croydon Park, an expansive public reserve complete with sports fields, a tennis club, a playground, and a skate park. It was Saturday morning, and every facility in the park was in use. Stepping off the bus into the bright midday sun was momentarily dizzying. What came next was mind-blowing! As we streamed towards the skate park, a loud whistle rang out, followed by the heart-thumping carnival beats of a Brazilian Samba drumming band. Bloco 3K, dressed in striking white and red, pounded out an endless track of drum and percussion marching music. Leading the band were four Samba dancers clad in carnival body suits and headdresses. It was mesmerising and a delightful assault on the senses.
“Bloco 3K is the Heart of Melbourne Samba! An electrifying collective of musicians and dancers hailing from every corner of the globe, united in Melbourne by their shared love for samba and the exhilarating carnival beats of Brazil. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of high-impact drumming and captivating dance, as Bloco 3K injects the vibrant flavour and unbridled passion of Brazil into the heart of Australia!”
Bloco 3K drummed and danced in an endless display of music and movement while the BFOPers captured the scene from every angle. It was a surreal and captivating experience, unlike any photography workshop I’ve ever attended. With a resounding whistle blast, Bloco 3K turned and led the dancers, band, BFOPers, and countless curious onlookers on a parade through Croydon Park and into the backstreet of Croydon.
A Grand Entrance
Bloco 3K led the entire procession of dancers, drummers, BFOP photographers, and countless spectators from the park on a winding course through a narrow alleyway to spill out onto Main Street Croydon. The busy suburban street stopped while the scores of people emerged from the alley and crossed the pedestrian crossing. The sound of the drums, percussion instruments, and whistles was nearly deafening. We marched up Main Street towards Camera House and people out and about shopping, catching up for coffee, and scoffing fish and chips stopped and stared. The drumming and dancing continued as traffic stopped and more folk joined the procession. Bloco 3K halted outside the front doors of Camera House while Nigel (owner and store manager) stood in shock and awe as the procession circled the store entrance, while the band and dancers continued.
The dancers danced their way into Camera House with drums blaring, followed by the drum team, BFOPers, and the onlooking local crowd. We crowded into the store, and Bloco 3K ended their performance with a bang. Nigel thanked everyone for coming to the store to help celebrate its 40th Birthday before encouraging everyone to head upstairs for the next leg of our adventure. The second floor of Croydon Camera House is an expansive space, and the team had set up a trade show. Leading camera, lens, and accessory brands had set up stands, displays, and tables of goods from Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony, OM Systems, and more. All the brands were selling their wares with the support of the entire Camera House team. Beyond the trade show, Camera House had organised workshops, giveaways, and photo competitions. If you’ve been to BFOP, you’ll know the kind of attention to detail and impressive product range offered.
Happy 40th Birthday
After a quick drink at The Ten Saints, a local bar across the road from the camera store, we returned for the Corydon Camera House 40th Celebrations. By this point, many of the BFOPers had drifted away to return home or to their Saturday evening activities. Justin and I were in for the long haul, so we returned to Croydon Camera House. Many others joined us while more still chose to stay and have another drink. While we were at Ten Saints, the team at Camera House had completely packed away the trade show and had set up for a big birthday celebration. Gone were the tables loaded with cameras, lenses, and accessories. In their place, a bar and food tables had been set up. What followed felt like a big family event than a retail store recognising a milestone. Nigel and his 97-year-old father, who originally began Croydon Camera House 40 years ago, gave thanks to family, friends, and staff past and present. It was humbling to be a part of such a special occasion and celebrate a retail store outliving many who succumbed to the world of online commerce.
It’s A Wrap!
Justin and I participated in the BFOP day to help document the experience. I took most of the photos with my Fujifilm X-E4 and compact XF 23mm f/2 prime lens. Justin shot with his Canon R5 Mark II and captured video footage with his Osmo Pocket. We had an absolute blast and couldn’t believe how many photo-centric activities and experiences we witnessed. True to the nature of BFOP, the day was packed with experiences and opportunities that were dramatic, fun, surreal, and surprising. On our Uber ride back to the city (Melbourne), Justin and I recounted our day and the many chaotic and outstanding elements Matt and Nick had crafted for all involved. Like the BFOP weekend, the BFOP X Croydon Camera House 40th Birthday Celebration day was mesmerising, motivating, and more than a little magical!
