Summary

One of a subset of 36 negatives taken of Melbourne central business district and surrounding areas.

This subset is part of approximately 3,000 negatives taken by Jim Payens, the Melbourne based aerial photographer, and form part of the Payens Collection. The images span the period predominantly between the 1950s - 1970s.

Jim Payens was one of a very small number of Australian photographers to have specialised in oblique and survey aerial photography. He was also one of the earliest Australian aerial photographers. This collection consists predominantly of aerial views of the city of Melbourne, surrounding suburbs and regional Victoria but also extends to other parts of Australia. The Collection depicts a variety of landmark events and major engineering projects throughout Australia including the Australian Grand Prix, Olympic Games (Melbourne & Sydney) and the construction of Eildon Weir.

The Museum also holds the aerial camera and equipment used by Payens to take these images as well as an oral history interview with the photographer.

Description of Content

Oblique aerial photograph of the city of Melbourne looking south-west from Princes Street showing the area bounded by Elgin Street, Brunswick Street, the Yarra River and Spencer Street. Beyond this area is Kings Domain and South Melbourne. In the foreground is the Royal Exhibition Building with the eastern and western annexes attached. Further in is ICI House (now Orica House). South-west of this is the Southern Cross Hotel and CRA building. The Port Melbourne railway line can be seen crossing the Yarra River and running down through South Melbourne to Port Phillip Bay. Victoria Docks (now Melbourne Docklands) can be seen in the background.

Physical Description

negative; black and white; silver gelatin; cellulose acetate.

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