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:

Isadora said...

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.

Ananda Niyogi said...

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 :-)

Casdok said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Tink said...

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!

Unknown said...

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

david mcmahon said...

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

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ananda,

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

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Casdok,

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

Cheers

David

Lee said...

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!

david mcmahon said...

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

david mcmahon said...

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

david mcmahon said...

Hi Nick,

We're soul mates! No doubt about that.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

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

Lee said...

(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!

i beati said...

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

Amrita said...

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.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

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

Merisi said...

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".

Lori said...

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.