Photographing the Soul of Melbourne’s Inner North

Hidden Gems of Melbourne’s Inner North

There’s something magnetic about Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Northcote — places where the past lingers in cracked tiles, faded signage, and brick walls layered with time. These overlooked details are what I’m drawn to. I’ve been quietly documenting them over the past year, and now I’m sharing that work in my upcoming exhibition:

📍 Blackcat Fitzroy | Opening Night: April 11 - May 1st

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Why I Photograph the Inner North

This series started with quiet walks and a camera. I’d stop for ghost signs, tiled entries, unusual angles — anything with story and texture. Inspired by urban photographers like Fred Herzog, I’m interested in everyday spaces that feel timeless and a little forgotten.

Noticing the Small Stuff

I’m always looking for subtle contrasts: shadow on brick, ivy reclaiming a wall, an old sign half-lost to weather. These fragments of Melbourne speak to how cities evolve — and what we leave behind.

Prints & Exhibition

The works are printed as limited edition photographs, framed simply to let the details speak. Select pieces from the show will also be available as prints online at LesleyBourne.com/shop from April 11.

Come See It

If you’re in Melbourne, come to the show and see these portraits up close. If not, follow the journey on Instagram at @hidden__north — I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes and print drops there.

Hope to see you there!
– Lesley

Minimal Melbourne - Urban Photography

So a little while between posts, but I’ve been very busy working on a new series these past few months. Many of you know my main interest lies in street photography and urban landscapes. Stylistically, I’ve taken a slightly more simplistic and graphic approach with these images.

Essentially, the goal of minimal photography is to be eye pleasing, with a very careful consideration of what should be part of the photo and what should be left out. Living in Melbourne has led me to become an urban photographer and some of the architecture is perfectly suited for this genre of photography. I’m also interested in exploring photomontage techniques as seen with the image below.

RMIT Building

When I go out hunting for minimal urban photos I tend to favour a simple sky, ideally blue and free from clouds. That guarantees a smooth background which is less distracting. Then I look for a single something I can isolate against that plain background, usually a section of a building, a sign or simple concrete shapes.

When my focus leans towards architecture, I search for buildings with repetitive elements, simple lines and interesting patterns. Through careful composition I aim to reduce the elements of the photograph to basic form and design.

Royal Melbourne Hospital

The minimalist images bring attention to symmetry, lines and patterns prevalent in the urban landscape. The images selected illustrate how exploring lines, structures and space rejects the banality of city scenes, reforming them into inspiring collages of geometric shapes. This an ongoing series I intend to continue exploring throughout the year. Stay tuned!

Urban Reflections

I’m always inspired by Melbourne’s architecture, the juxtapositions of old and new are endless and make for dynamic compositions. Lately, I’m intrigued by the reflections and the abstraction created by warped perspectives. Here’s a recent one shot on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD.

Collins Street, Melbourne

Reflections: A photo series

I’ve been out shooting footage for a short film about urban Melbourne in recent weeks. As I hit the streets to capture the essence of the city, I had the opportunity to capture some stills in the process. It’s been great to look for interesting new scenes in the urban landscape. I’m always looking at new and interesting ways to document my surrounds. I was drawn to the abstract qualities of the reflections from buildings in the CBD and it’s inspired to me to start a new series.

Here’s the image that sparked my enthusiasm! Stay tuned.

Urban reflection - Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Ghost signs, Melbourne

I've been out shooting a lot around Melbourne lately. I'm always inspired by the city surrounding me, the people and the urban landscape. As a designer, I also notice good typography and interesting signage. I love the old heritage buildings and ghost signs that are still fairly prevalent in Melbourne today. It's what makes this city so unique and interesting.

Here are a few shots I've taken of signs in various locations around Melbourne.

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Flinders Street, Melbourne

This shot was captured on Flinders Street, during my daily commute home from work. The street crossing provides a good backdrop to capture the energy of Melbourne's CBD, combining interesting architecture with people in motion. Like this image, I shoot and edit a lot of my street images with my iPhone, because it's the camera that's always with me.

Street photography, Melbourne

I've been trying to challenge myself with my photography lately and experiment with more with shooting film. I seem to be more thoughtful about my composition and lighting, and I can anticipate the 'moment' better which brings a true sense of achievement. Here are a few images I shot around my neighbourhood in Brunswick and Northcote.