Passing Time is a photographic series that delves into the dynamic relationship between architecture and time, centered around the iconic Bendigo Post Office Clock Tower. Through this project, I sought to capture not just the physical structure of the tower, but the subtle transformations it undergoes as it interacts with the changing light throughout the day. By shooting from a low-angle perspective and experimenting with different times—morning, midday, and afternoon—I was able to highlight the tower’s towering height, intricate architectural features, and its evolving presence in the landscape.

Each photograph in the series reflects the progression of time, with shifts in lighting revealing different facets of the structure. The play between light and shadow, combined with careful consideration of composition, allowed me to convey a sense of how the architecture’s perception changes depending on the time of day and the surrounding environment. The series becomes a meditation on how time, as both a physical and abstract concept, impacts our understanding of the built world. The clock tower, as both a symbol and a fixture of daily life, stands as a constant yet ever-changing landmark, embodying the flow of time in the city.

Post-production was a crucial part of bringing my vision to life. In Adobe Lightroom, I refined the texture, color, and contrast of each image, giving them a vintage aesthetic while enhancing the fine details of the tower. By adjusting exposure, highlights, and shadows, I intensified the interplay between light and form, ensuring that the tower’s delicate features and the surrounding space were clearly defined. The careful balance of warm and cool tones added depth and dimension, while the final adjustments in vibrance and saturation helped to evoke a timeless quality that further enhanced the theme of the series.

The decision to print the final images on large-scale A2 watercolor paper was intentional, emphasizing the tower’s monumental presence and the significance of its role within the fabric of the city. The textured paper not only complements the vintage feel of the photographs but also allows the images to maintain a tangible connection to the real-world scale of the architecture. This choice reflects the way in which the clock tower, despite being an everyday part of the urban landscape, often goes unnoticed in the hustle of daily life. In this series, I aimed to bring that unnoticed presence into focus, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect on the subtle but profound impact of time and architecture on our surroundings.

Passing Time is ultimately a reflection on the ways architecture, light, and time intersect. Through this project, I learned to appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in the spaces we inhabit, and how small changes in perspective—whether through time of day, lighting, or composition—can shift our perception of familiar structures. The series is a celebration of both the permanence and fluidity of time, captured in a single architectural landmark that, though often overlooked, continues to mark the passage of time for the city it watches over.