Saturday, April 28, 2007

Turning Silver Into Gold

Let's Put Metallurgists On Their Mettle

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


This was just a lucky shot. I was photographing something else when I turned around and noticed the gleam of the early morning sun across the beautiful Princes Bridge here in Melbourne. Exactly half the bridge was in its normal silver, but the other half was a beautiful shade of gold, reflecting the sun. For centuries, ancient alchemists tried changing silver into gold, but I'm just fortunate I was able to photograph it.
Yes, it's an unusual angle, but I had to take the shot immediately. I could have raced down to the bank of the Yarra River, but in that time, the light would have changed and the bridge colours would not have been an exact 50:50 ratio.

16 comments:

bookem, danny said...

I have seen some great things, this is nice...you have considerable talent, yet mabey I am not qaulified to know.. I will visit again

david mcmahon said...

Hi Danny,

Many thanks for the kind words. You certainly are qualified to know. I;ve seen your work and I think you have some terrific talents.

Do visit again.

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Wow!! You've done it again. my friend..

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carol,

Just a lucky shot. In the right place at the right time. Anyone could have taken the shot.

By the way, if you have a favourite picture that you've taken, let me know. I'd love to run it with your caption/ story - as I've done with Siddharth's and Gautham's pictures.

I think your work is wonderful and would love to display it occasionally. Of course, I would link to your site on the blogpost, so that you would derive extra readership.

Let me know what you think

Cheers

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Oh my god, David - I've just got a hot flush (you should know better than to say these things to an almost menapausal woman)!

My pic's are far too crappy for your site, it would tarnish it. Anyway, I lost all my best ones with that spiteful hard drive. (You can hear me clutching at straws now, can't you) Okay. I'm rambling. I'm gonna take a deep breath and try to get a grip.

David, I don't feel worthy, but of course I'll dredge something up from somewhere.. or go and take something better (might take a few years, mind. No, didn't mean that). Wow, wow. Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I want to have your children.

Thank you, David. Just off for a quick sprint around the garden now, to utilise that adrenilin rush.. me ears have gone all pink again.

david mcmahon said...

Aye Carol,

Clutching at straws indeed. When you're done with all the excuses, just send me the pictures!

Pink ears? Hot flushes? Adrenalin rushes? Evasive tactics, mate!

1am Sunday here and there ain't no cricket yet because of rain. Cover are still on the pitch in the West Indies. Grrrrrrr.

Look forward to your pictures for my blog!

Keep smiling.

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Well, how about a great place, as opposed to a great photo? My thinking chair. And maybe a sweet critter thrown in? Don't I need an e-mail or something?

david mcmahon said...

Hi Shrink,

Yep, if you leave your email address on my blog as a comment, I'll reply to you. And if you want, I'll delete your comment so that your email address is not there for all and sundry.

Unless you want Richard Gere to email you!!

Cheers

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Hi David,

Here it is: shrinkwrappedscream@yahoo.co.uk

Look forward to hearing back from you!

phaseoutgirl said...

David,

My camera is screaming to be taken out and used, I just have been so lazy. I try too hard. I love this pic though!

Hopefully, I will get these flashes of inspiration I sometimes have, and maybe a pic or two will emerge!

cheers..

cecilia

Deborah Gamble said...

David,

I liked this pic until I read it was a bridge. Then I started getting dizzy picturing you leaning over the edge to get this shot. Hopefully, that was not how it was done.

Does Richard Gere read your blog??? Now I'm really feeling light headed.

david mcmahon said...

Ah, thanks Carol,

Got that now. And don't forget to let me know if you want it deleted off the comments section here.

Will email you in the next hour or so.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Cecilia,

Looking forward to some more of your shots. If you did carry the smaller of your two cameras around with you in your handbag, you'd immediately find a couple of shots to take every day.

Trust me, it does work that way.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Deborah,

Sorry if I gave you the heebie-jeebies. No, I didn't have to lean over the edge.

But you've just reminded me of a picture when I DID lean over the edge. It was at the Montmorency Falls in Quebec City.

I'll drag out the shot and post it here this week, in your honour.

Yes, Richard Gere asked for your blog address!

Stop hyperventilating now, you hear!

Cheers

David

Fletch said...

From Journalist to Alchemist in one easy 'click'. Readers of this Blog should not expect anything less!

From "The American Heritage Science Dictionary":
alchemy: A medieval philosophy and early form of chemistry whose aims were the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of a cure for all diseases, and the preparation of a potion that gives eternal youth.

I shall wait patiently for the 'panacea' and the 'eternal youth' bit, but don't take too long, huh?

david mcmahon said...

Ah, El Tel,

You're very kind. Thank you for that incisive comment.

Shall bring up the others as quickly as possible.

Take care

David