Stark, Harsh

BY ROBERT CATTO

Cleveland St, Redfern New South Wales

Summer in Sydney is a test of how well you can avoid the harsh sun. We haven’t had any days over 40° (yet) here this year, it’s still possible though.

But what I find fascinating about those days when the sun beats down is the absolute starkness of the light, the contrast it creates—and its effect not just on people but the whole environment.

Roads become batteries of heat, absorbing it all day and radiating it back into the afternoon and evening. Sidewalk markings melt and break off. Signs fade, paint peels from buildings.

And so we adapt; we put reflectors in our cars, we tint windows, we add sun umbrellas to hide under when we do venture outside.

Still the sun beats down; and makes stark, harsh shadows of us all.

Robert Catto

I'm a Canadian-Kiwi photographer in Sydney Australia, specialising in performing arts, live events, editorial and corporate / commercial work.