Inside a coastal military bunker on the edge of Sydney, I found this corridor transformed into a reflective pool after heavy rain. The water, decay, and graffiti gave the space an otherworldly feel, so I wanted to capture it as something between eerie ruin and dreamlike gathering. The long exposure allowed both the mirror-like floor and a ghostly figure to emerge, hinting at an imagined subterranean “pool party.”

The image was shot on a Nikon Z7ii with a 17–28mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/2.8, ISO 2500, 5 seconds, –2EV. Two lights created depth and separation: a warm 3200K source inside the hall, and a cooler 5500K light spilling through adjoining windows. Their contrasting temperatures gave the scene both atmosphere and dimension.

Shooting here was challenging—pitch black, ankle-deep in water, filled with debris and uneven footing. The mix of reflective surfaces, moisture, and limited space made composition and light balance demanding. But those difficulties became part of the process, shaping an image that turns an abandoned space into something unexpectedly alive.