It was my friend Werner Seitz, coincidentally the producer of roundshot panoramic cameras, who gave me the idea and got me going for my Australian venture. When we met during a snowy evening in late 2001 over some Swiss Fondue, he was all fired up about his latest model, the 28/220 roundshot, a very compact yet powerful professional camera. I had always been interested in photography in general and in the roundshot technology in particular. That's why his excitement was contagious and found fertile ground in my curious mind. When we both realised that his new camera, due to its compactness, opened up a whole new world (i.e. lifestyle photography), the 'Real Sydney' idea was born. It snowballed from there.

The first time I came to Sydney was in June 2001. I was completing reserve duty training in the Swiss Air Force when I received an offer to come to Australia for a six week assignment. I was curious and didn't hesitate for a minute. Two days later I was already meeting clients in Sydney. These circumstances didn't allow me to anticipate what life in Sydney was about. I simply went with the flow, indulged in this new culture, and liked it immediately.

When I returned to Australia in January 2002, my mindset was altogether different. I had left my suit and finance books at home and came in jeans, with the roundshot camera and plenty of inspiration for my 'Real Sydney' idea. Many photo books had already been published about Sydney - I wanted to create my own story, express through panoramic photography what I feel are the essential forces that keep Sydney in motion, that drive her people, that make life in the city exciting.

So yes - my decision to come to Sydney, to photograph and write the book, was ambitious and slightly mad. It was driven by my love for photography and by my affection for this city that I, as a European, found different and intriguing.

The people - In many instances the people I met were great fun: easy-going yet professional, many of them with a sparkling sense of humour and very receptive to photography and art. Those adventurous enough to work with me showed great spontaneous energy to make a shot a fun experience.

The style - Design and style are definitely on the rise in Sydney, yet there is a stark contrast between hip and down-to-earth venues that sometimes can be found next door to each other. Sometimes staff at trendy restaurants get hired not on skill but on looks. Yes - appearance is certainly important.

The dynamic - Sydney is a buoyant city on the move. Within a couple of years, the skyline has changed dramatically. Sydney is the metropolis of a country boasting impressive real growth rates. By the same token, opportunities come and go quite quickly, the economic climate sometimes changing as rapidly as Sydney's weather.

The colours - Already at Sydney airport visitors from overseas are immersed in a multitude of colours. The light 'down under' is very different from other parts of the world - it is very intense and, especially during spring and autumn, very warm. Some of my overseas friends find it hard to believe but it is true: the colours of the images are real and I have endeavoured to reproduce them as closely as possible.

The country - As a European used to densely populated areas a ride through the Australian outback is very refreshing. The roads leading west out of Sydney soon get deserted and eventually become straight lines of bitumen cutting through endless open land. Along the way, Australia holds some natural treasures that are truly unique.

'Real Sydney' has broadened my horizons, literally and figuratively. I have experienced the best Sydney has to offer and beyond. Wherever I went, I was welcomed with open arms.

At the end of my journey my affection for this country is even stronger than before. To all those that I encountered on the way, thanks for sharing your Australia with me.

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photographer: John McRae