Marina Naidion

Santa Fest, Darling Harbour

Santa Fest was held in November in Darling Harbour, Sydney to kick off the Christmas season and gather together as many Santa Clauses as possible. It was a great chance to see and photograph dozens of Santa Clauses in one place. They were dancing, walking, jet skiing, rowing boats and walking on stilts.

It was one big Santa themed event. Apart from many people dressed as Santa Clauses, there were many Santa themed street decorations, which turned the look of Darling Harbour into Christmas theme.

Hundreds of people came to one place to see the spectacular show followed by colourful fireworks. My camera was flashing together with hundreds of others, trying to capture some good moments.

The hardest thing for taking pictures during Santa Fest was light conditions, which were constantly changing in that cheerful evening. Changing from flash to longer shutter speed I tried to capture some moments that I found interesting and good enough to have in my Christmas photo collection of 2011.

I absolutely loved to see and photograph Darling Harbour at night time. It is just a very beautiful place at night, when you see all these colourful lights and their reflection in the water.

Skies and surroundings of Darling Harbour were filled with Christmas joy and Santa Clause images and costumes everywhere. Happy people, music and dancing, the show on the water followed by lightning of a Christmas tree and fireworks make Santa Fest the most joyful and happy event this year.