1. Do you work in the sign industry?

Short answer: No. Long answer: No. 

2. Where can I get more information about a sign?

Try the references at the bottom of each page, pertaining to a particular sign. The following publications can be found at the following locations.

You may also find more information by using the Picture Australia database.

3. How can I contact you?

You can contact me via the A.D. Online Contact Form. Please check the remainder of the FAQ's first...

4. How do you photograph the signs at night?

This is very challenging! You will need to use a tripod when composing your images, because an exposure of between one-twentieth of a second to 2 seconds may be required. In photographic terms, that is a very long time and if you use your hands, you will be guaranteed to get a blurred image. You need to use 'trial-and-error' to get the correct exposure time, and practice will give you a good 'feel' for it. You will need to take into account the brightness of the sign and other sources of light in the vicinity. 

5. I am writing an assignment on neon signs. Can you help me?

All the information you require is on this website. If you wish to contact me, please use the A.D. Online Contact Form. I cannot help with assignment writing.  

6. May I use a high-resolution copy of one of your images in my publication?

Adam Dimech's photos are licenced via his photo sales website, Photologium.com. You will need to make an application to use any of the images contained within this website for publication or use on other websites in keeping with the Copyright Policy. 

7. Whom should I contact about having a neon sign manufactured?

A sign manufacturer! These are listed in the Telstra Yellow Pages. I cannot offer any further information about manufacturers.

8. How are neon signs manufactured?

Neon signs are formed from glass tubes that are heated over a flame to bend them into the desired shape. The glass is rotated and rocked in burner flames, which use a gas and air mixture to raise the flame temperature, which softens the glass. 

The tubes are capped off with glass electrodes at each end. The electrodes have wire passing from outside to inside to provide an electrical current. 

Before the tubing is totally sealed, an ultra high vacuum pump pulls the air out of the tube while a high voltage and high amperage transformer bombards and heats the remaining air to produce temperatures in excess of 260°C. When a very high vacuum is reached and the tube begins to cool, a small amount of inert gas (neon or argon) is introduced prior to the sealing of the tube.

When the sign is switched on, electrical currents then bombard the inert gas atoms inside the tube, which displaces the inert gas’ electrons from their orbits. As the electrons are drawn back to the nucleus of the atom, they emit light which provides the illumination that you can see. 

The two most common gases used are neon that emits a glowing red, and a mixture of argon and low concentrations of mercury which emit a blue colour. Clear glass allows one to see the characteristic colours emitted by the gas however fluorescent powders are usually baked to the inside walls of the glass tubing to create a multitude of other colours. Coloured glass tubing can also effect the colour produced. 

9. My favourite sign is not included! Why?

Well, that doesn't sound correct! But if you feel I have missed a heritage neon sign of cultural significance in Melbourne, please let me know via the A.D. Online Contact Form.