Thursday, November 22, 2007

Hi-Ho, Silver, Aweigh

Let's Table The Motion

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


What catches your eye when you have your camera with you? I'm attracted to unusual sights, to strong colours, to shapes, to pastels - and to any combination of colours or shapes. I'm attracted to landscapes. I'm attracted to expanses of water because of reflections. Doesn't leave much, does it!

I guess my "camera antenna" is constantly switched on, except (maybe) when I'm asleep. This approach is best typified by this shot, because it shows a very simple artefact. So why did I train my lens on it? Because it has strong red and silver and because there's a polished timber tabletop in the equation as well.

In addition, it has an unusual combination - on the one hand, there's the geometrical precision of the straight red lines and the perfect ninety-degree angles of the corners, while on the other hand there's the soft arcs and curves of the silver. Want to know what the object is? It's simply a set of red drinks coasters in a hand-made silver stand. The subtle reflections on the wood are also a value-added feature in an unusual photograph.

What does your "camera antenna" pick up? I'd love to know ....

20 comments:

  1. My camera is always with me 'just in case' and sure enough there is always something that catches the eye. Be it unusual shape, color, light.

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  2. Being out the city really brings out the shutterbug in me. I like landscapes and animal shots rather than street or portrait photography. I consider abstracts and photographs of everyday objects as my weakest area - perhaps I am too unimaginative for that :-)

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  3. My camera is with me just incase too. Just for what ever catches my eye.

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  4. Anonymous8:44 PM

    Lovely photo. I usually take my camera with me on walks around the farm. I'm always on the look out for foxes. The farmer has taken some beautiful shots over the years. If I can work out how to scan them in I will try and publish some on my blog.

    Crystal xx

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  5. I love taking pictures, but you are really a gifted photographer. I've enjoyed browsing your blog and pics. Thanks for your kind words on my TT post!

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  6. My “camera antennae” picks up first Alex, the feline who owns me, and then:

    2) scenes that illustrate what I am writing

    3) unique or otherwise interesting people

    4) beauty in many forms

    5) the absurd

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  7. Hi Isadora,

    That's the right approach. I'm with you all the way on that one. I always have my camera with me.

    Thanks for dropping by.

    Cheers

    David

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  8. Hi Ananda,

    You are certainly not unimaginative. We all need a little improvement - and it only comes with constant practice.

    Cheers

    David

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  9. Hi Casdok,

    Always a pleasure to see you here. That's exactly right - the camera is to captire whatever catchs our attention.

    Cheers

    David

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  10. My camera seems to be attracted to what strikes me as unusual in a setting. My best shots had strong lines in them, such as trees in fog, mother standing in the sailboat cabin her upper torso framed by the hatch, a goose whose long neck paralleled the line of stones edging the pond. :)

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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  11. Hi Crystal,

    Thank you so much. If you have trouble with the scanning process, let me know.

    I look forward to seeing the farmer's handiwork ...

    Cheers

    David

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  12. Hi Tink,

    I really do appreciate your kind words. Thank you for dropping by and I'm so glad you liked the blog.

    Do keep in touch.

    Cheers

    David

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  13. Hi Nick,

    We're soul mates! No doubt about that.

    Cheers

    David

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  14. Hi Lee,

    Not only are you talented with a camera, you also paint delicate, evovative word pictures in that comment.

    I admire your talent.

    Cheers

    David

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  15. (blush) Thank you, David! I'm thinking I would like to find a digital camera that is useful but inexpensive. Got any tips for shopping on a budget?

    Joy!

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  16. Your eye for the mundane versus the jocularity in life versus the Bennett Serf Gene you have makes every day special. Thanks for the nod..sk

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  17. I am very new to the world of photography if I can make this over-statement. but I want my friends to have a peek into my world to I am try to capture it on lens.

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  18. My antenna needs some tuning. I think the kids bent it when I wasn't looking...

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  19. I am afraid I'd need to beg you to rephrase that. The question would have to be, what does my "camera antenna" not pick up?
    It's more like "The Master and Merisi", I point where the camera wants me to. Bulgakov would have had no problem seeing major plot lines in "My Life with Sony The Hypershot".

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  20. I think it is different things at different times. But I do love the sky, especially at twilight. I've always been drawn to it, even as a child. Now there is simply a way to capture it.

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