Wednesday 13 January 2010

Tobacco, cigars ...

The Australian Workers' Union building, Castlereagh Street between Bathurst & Liverpool Streets

What do you think the old sign says? Something, Branch, Tobacco, Cigars, something.

Postscript
Jim from Sydney - City & Suburbs nipped down and did a bit of detective work for me. He reckons it says "Leading Brand Tobacco, Cigars & Cigarettes". Most appreciated, Jim.

22 comments:

Birdman said...

This is an outstanding candid... love street candids. Done well. Julie, again, thanks for all your well wishes... they along with others kept me going. Gawwwd! I hated long hospital nights.

Lois said...

I enlarged it but still can't tell what it says. Nice shot Julie!

Olivier said...

j'aime bien ces vielles enseignes, c'est notre histoire et cela fait de belles photos

Luis Gomez said...

Very nice shot. Love the light and tone of the photo.

brattcat said...

I love the moment you chose to capture, that purposeful stride framed by the door, the shock of white hair as such a surprise in all that rich color. The original words on the sign remain elusive, too much has been lost, I think.

James said...

I like looking at old buildings like this. So many layers of paint, exposed old bricks, ghost sins. Very cool. Maybe it used to be a tobacco shop.

Woody said...

I love the urban decay/industrial feeling of this shot coexisting with modern structure and motorcycles.
It looks like the word above Tobacco is a signature on an angle, rising to the right.

Julie said...

My guess is that the small green roller-shutter used to be a "pigeon hole" for a tobacconist where s/he would encamp all day together with perhaps an Australasian Post, the Daily Telegraph in the morning and The Sun in the afternoon. Would have required a peson who was a "have-a-chat".

Vicki said...

It’s incredible how such an old, derelict building still exists in a city like Sydney. Especially alongside a contemporary structure.

The striding man adds movement to the picture. Perfect.

Jim said...

This is really interesting to me because it's right next door to the building that I work in, seen on the left. Considering how much development goes on in this city, it's quite surprising that a building here has been waiting redevelopment for about 15 years.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Julie said...

How fortuitous.

It is a lovely old building but desperately needs attention. I have some lovely detail shots of it.

This shot took me about half and hour, would you believe. Keep on getting the person in the wrong possie, or the crop not as straight as I wanted. Too fussy is my problem.

Anonymous said...

NO THANKS I DON'T SMOKE!!:-)
Take care!!
Bye
Serge

Ann said...

Something barber, in flowing script at the top? Sign of the times that the man walking by the old AWU building is Asian. Did you pick up the info on Chinese New Year events next month? Might be worth a look and a few shots.

Ann said...

Thanks. I'm pretty pleased with them. Delighted with what that lens can do handheld. Didn't even miss the wide angle that much. Didn't even think to try panning. Too concentrated on focussing and getting the right amount of light.

Ann said...

Lets keep the parade in mind and see what the weather etc is doing.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I love this shot -- the layers of life, the textures, the blue-green/brown combination, the framing, the candid person perfectly positioned. In fact just about everything -- for me it's a bravo shot. I admire your patience.

Kat said...

I love this shot Julie! The composition is great, and all the textures are perfect. Wonderful catch, you have much more patience than I. Kathy

Jim said...

Julie, I had a closer look at this sign for you. Using my detective skills on the fading paintwork and some powers of deduction, I believe the sign might say "Leading Brand Tobacco, Cigars & Cigarettes".

I also recognise the bloke in the photo who works in my building and used to work on my floor. Must have been returning to the office with his lunch from one of the local take away shops. Small world.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Julie said...

Terrific, Jim. Thank you ever so much. I can make that out on my hard-drive version now that you have suggested it.

Lunch-hour would explain the purposeful stride on the chap. As a street photographer, I often feel a bit like a director, just waiting for someone to walk onto my stage! I do believe this shot was taken Wednesday of last week.

Anonymous said...

Seems indeed that 'unions' have seen better times. Brilliant photography of the movement of time.
Please have a wonderful Wednesday.

Jilly said...

Love the image. I'd not believe we were in Australia, let alone Sydney. Seems Asian in feel, somehow.

freefalling said...

I can't even see the sign, let alone the lettering!!
Love this building facade.
I'd love to get my hands on those doors.