Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONAs a kid, I was always told to frame the whole subject in the viewfinder. This time, I just broke the golden rule, but it was a deliberate experiment. As this tourist cruise boat made its way down the Yarra River in brilliant sunlight, I figured it would be fun to experiment. So I picked my spot carefully, allowed this trailing branch to obscure the vessel - and concentrated on the reflection instead. I thought I'd pick a nautical theme for International Talk Like A Pirate Day - but there were no peglegs, parrots or eye patches on view. Not even a Long John sliver. Sorry, me hearties.
FOOTNOTE: I've failed to find skill and crossbones.
It be pirate day! Raise the Jolly Roger.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I was told things like "eat all your vegetables" and "you need to mind your manners, young man."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, David. My current assignment is to write a Villanelle. If you're not familiar with the form, here is a description: A villanelle is usually five tercerts rhyming aba, followed by a quatrain rhyming abaa. The first line of the first stanza becomes the last line of the second and fourth; the last
ReplyDeleteline of the first stanza becomes the last line of the third and fifth. These two refrain lines
form the couplet at the end of the final quatrain.
Whew! That's enough to frustrate even the cleverest of writers. I was also give the option of writing a sonnet, which I think I will do instead. Any suggestions for working with fixed forms?
Thanks again,
Jessie
PS I will pass along your shrub-keeping advice to the King.
Fab picture David.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.
Oh what a lovely picture it is !!
ReplyDeleteI loved the reflection.
Keep it up David.
Happy Pirate day!
ReplyDeleteNot one, but two funny title lines! You are the damn best at that I've seen! I don't even try to compete!
ReplyDeleteHow much more we see when we shift from the usual perspective.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection shot! Beautiful! Thanks for your comment on my most recent post regarding weight loss. I appreciate it. If you want to share details of your friend who dealt with these issues, that'd be great.
ReplyDeleteDavid, that's a beautiful pic...and a lovely angle I must say...your experiment worked! I've been trying to capture some reflections too these days..latest was that of a hilltop house in a lake on our way to SF from Vegas:)
ReplyDeletethat thar be th' best picture o' a boat I be havin' ereseen me bucko
ReplyDeleteYou mean Cheney was in the boat and nobody sunk it?
ReplyDeleteTell your friends to come to see my Japanese blog I began the other day about Japan in the early 1950s. Sendai, Japan
Pirates are all about breaking rules, me hardy. Arr.
ReplyDeleteWere there pirates on that ship, landlubber? Argh matey!
ReplyDeleteFor a moment I was stunned: How in the world did water get up all the way to the Vice President's hilltop residence? And then I realized. *laugh* That reflection for a moment fooled me, it creates the illusion of a porch in front of the type of Victorian house the VP resides in. I am sure glad for the rest of the Washingtonians that the Potomac hasn't reached the Navel Observatory yet (btw, the White House would have had to go under first, it being much closer to the Potomac river water level than the VP's residence *g*). :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene,
ReplyDeleteArrrrrrgh, me arty
(Yes, I knew you would like that!!)
Keep smiling
David
Hey, Bart-Man,
ReplyDeleteDid you live in my house?!!!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Queen,
ReplyDeleteYou;ve got me intrigued. I know all about sonnets, but I'd never even heard of a Vilanelle.
I just thought it was a female Darth Vader.
Levity aside, I'm humble - and fascinated. And in awe of your ability.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Jo,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, I;m glad you liked the shot.
It was a close thing...
Keep smiling
David
Hi Cuckoo,
ReplyDeleteIt's always such a pleasure to hear from you. I'm so glad you liked the picture.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Utopia,
ReplyDeleteAnd may a jolly buccaneer brighten all our days ....
Keep smiling
David
Hey, Mushy,
ReplyDeleteI try my best! And I love the way you always acknowledge my efforts.
Thank you
Keep smiling
David
Hi Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly my approach to life in general. And you're so right with that observation.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Dottie,
ReplyDeleteThank you, ma'am. I'll check with my friend tomorrow morning (it's Thursday night here at the moment) and wil let you know.
If you haven't heard from me in the next 24 hours, give me a not-so-gentle reminder!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Mansi,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm so glad you liked it. I visited your blog but couldn;t see the pictures you mentioned.
Do give me the link when you have time to spare ...
Keep smiling
David
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteComing from you, that is a comment that I take as very high praise.
I try my best to see things differently ...
Keep smiling
David
Hi Old Man Lincoln,
ReplyDeleteI chuckled at that comment. Yes, I did indeed tell my friends to visit your Japan blog.
I included it on my list with post of the Day yesterday ,....
Keep smiling
David
Hi Nessa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for that validation.
CRASH - relax - that was just me throwing the rule book thru the window ....
Keep smiling
David
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteAye, there were pirates swarmin' all over that ship. Cutlasses in their teeth and parrots on their shoulders.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Merisi,
ReplyDeleteMy word, you certainly know your Washington. I'm going to try and memorise all of that!
Keep smiling
David
Reflective shots like this are always cool to see, particularly when they obscure the actual image and only give you the reflection.
ReplyDelete