Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHONThe Australian bush fascinates that part of me which is a writer, just as much as it fascinates that part of me which is a photographer. But I don't reckon I have yet had the opportunity to take the quintessential Outback shot yet. You know what I mean - the one shot that outweighs all the others; the one shot that anyone, anywhere in the world can look it and instantly know it represents the great, wide heart of this country-continent.
Some of my favourite shots were taken in 1999 on the Eyre Peninsula in the South Australian bush and you can see them at J Is For Jindaroo Creek. But this country is so vast, the sights are so varied, the experiences are so different, that I'm still searching for That One Great Shot.
So in the meantime, I decided I'd give you two vastly differing views of the bush. The first image (above) gives you an idea of just how badly the drought of the past few years has hit the farmers in the Outback. And the second (below) presents an early-morning view of tranquil riverscape and lush green below a cloudy sky.
Both photographs mean a great deal to me, because each is distinct from the other. The Outback is capricious and just when you think you have got it figured out, it presents you with a facet you've never seen before. That, to me, is its eternal allure.
25 comments:
Hi David,
I love both of these shots but the first one really speaks to me. Someday I going to explore your great country.
Have a Happy Wednesday.
It's a beautiful country.
Good day David,
First congratulations on completing your book, Title please and I'll treat myself for Christmas.
Secondly, great pictures, but alas your idea of bush and mine differ, In Sierra Leone the bush is just a bit thicker.
Have a good day.
Regards
Keith.
Both pictures are beautiful!
Lovely shots David. The outback to me says Walkabout and more latterly Rabbit-Proof Fence. It's inconceivable to imagine a fence longer than the country I live in! :)
yes, what a contrast David.
I think we are quite remote where we live, just on the moors which I can see from my window. Yesterday I had to drive into the town of Middlesbrough , to go to the hospital...I hated the city, it was lovely returning over the moors to home.
It's the first time I participate in the ABC Wednesday, and also the first time I visit your blog. The third first thing is your first photo which says "Outback" to me much more than the second one, but I don't know Australia, so I might be wrong (not for the first time, though).
Love you Outback photos - so beautiful!
Two beautiful shots! Forgive my ignorance, but everytime i see Aussie outback, I think of um... crocodile dundee?
I especially like the second photo. Like Deb my only insight into the Outback is probably from watching Crocodile Dundee but I've no way of knowing how authentic that is.
Love the darker clouds in the foreground of the second shot. I haven't worked out how to capture the outback yet either. I'm still at the stage where i look and see tree's drought, more tree's.
HI David, I like both of them...like deb and ackworth...pretty much familiar with the outback through crocodile dundee and steve irwin.....
Beautiful images David. I doubt I'll ever get to see it in real life so appreciate you sharing sch beautiful scenes. :o)
so beautiful...I hope to someday get there. :)
Such a hilarious title for such a beautiful, thought-provoking post.
Australia is a land of amazing contrasts. The outback has always interested me because of its vastness. So where do you start to look for that "one shot" - I guess David that means you going to have to do some travelling.Congratulations on finishing your book
Those are both stunning photos - WELL done! The Outback sounds so much like this place - ever moody, ever changing. In that case, you will have many more beautiful, emotional photo opps ahead of you.
Thanks, David, for giving me "old home week" in just two pictures.
Have you considered a photo shoot in Northern Quensland? The semi tropics can be gorgeous.
P.S. Vindaloo Vegemite is on my Christmas want list.
Gorgeous pics David, having seen at least two stunning clouded sky shots of yours I thought you might like to check out Jim Thalassoudis' blog The Painted Sky.
I dropped a message off to authorblog last night but think you willl never find it - it was to let you know I've finally submitted my photographic assignment! It's here if you'd like to take a look!
And are congratulations in order? Did I hear that you've given birth to a new form? CONGRATULATIONS!
SJ xx
There's a huge contrast between the two isn't there. Lovely photos the pair of them. It would be nice to see more of the outback sometime.
Heya David,
You take some spec*bloody*tacular photos.
Everything you take has such lovely contrast and definition.
As for the outback, you just make me want to get away from this urban nightmare that is Sydney and get back to the basics for a while... (albeit I will admit I would miss my intarweb access).
Stuart
I wonder if, when you live in a vast and incredibly varied country like Australia or South Africa, there is even a possibility of the one difinitive shot... sometimes we just have to settle for the fact that more is more!
Beautiful shots, David!
Beautiful. Last time I was there I thought about taking a train from Perth to Sydney, but people told me not to do it. Said there wasn't anything to see. The Navy was gonna take mew to Sydney free of charge, so I went with them. Now I wish I'd taken the train.
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