Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Ol' Man River

Picasso Might Have Loved This Blue Period

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes the simplest photograph can bring you great pleasure. This is just a no-frills, straightforward shot taken from the footbridge leading to Flinders Street Station here in Melbourne. But the overwhelming blue tones throughout the scene really grabbed my attention.

I just framed it simply, so that the buildings on either side would dictate the perspective of the scene. We get amazing blue skies here, even in winter. But the thin wisps of cloud here added great value to a very tranquil scene. On the left is Southbank, the recently developed business and arts precinct. On the right is the central business district. And running diagonally across the Yarra River is the disused Sandridge Rail Bridge.

There have also been a few people asking me about the lens I used for the previous shot, titled Paper Moon, showing the sliver of the moon alongside the silhouette of a tree. It was a Sigma 125mm lens and the shot was taken without a tripod in rather mundane circumstances last night. I had actually gone to wheel the garbage bin onto the nature strip, then I saw the moon - and did what you would expect of me. I left the bin exactly where it was and rushed in to get the camera. I've certainly got my priorities right!

21 comments:

Berni said...

Really nice shot. Have you considered David doing a series, somewhat like your writing series, on photography, especially for beginners like me. You know Dave's Digital Dialogues for Dopes

Corey~living and loving said...

Love it! so tell me....what makes the buildings look like they are leaning in. Is is a distortion of the lens? I love how it looks, I am just wondering WHY????

david mcmahon said...

Hi Corey,

I'm guessing it was just parallax effect. I'll try and track down the best info for you ....

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Vic,

Yes, I used to, but it's been a while since I posted anything like that.

It's strange that you should make this suggestion, because about five minutes ago I answered a question about moon shots from Corey. I gave her some useful hints - and immediately thought, this would make a great post for beginners/ amateur photographers.

The wonderful thing about the blogging community is that we are all happy to share knowledge ....

Many thanks once again - and look out for the photography posts!

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Another winner, David.

imac said...

Great shot David and the blue sky is the cream topping.

Hope you remembered the rubbish in all the excitment.lol.

Melissa said...

I really like this one David. The blue sky and clouds are beautiful. It reminds me of summer skies here! Oh, I forgot to tell you that I started reading your book last night. I'm really enjoying it so far! You're a great writer David.

Casdok said...

Simply beautiful.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carol,

Thank you, ma'am. Just lucky to be there ....

Cheers

David

Ananda Niyogi said...

The wispy clouds indeed add that extra zip to the photo!

The effect of the buildings leaning in, as mentioned in a previous comment, is probably due to perspective distortion. It is a common phenomenon while shooting tall buildings. This distortion can be reduced by using a tilt-shift lens (indecently expensive!) or to a certain extend by post-processing (Photoshop). Btw, I would like to hear your views on whether you support enhancing images using Photoshop in a separate post :-)

david mcmahon said...

Hi imac,

The blue sky was just perfect. I was fortunate.

Did I remember the bins? Oh nooooooo! Just kidding.
I remembered them!

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Melissa,

You;re reading MY book? Seriously? That is amazing news for me. I'm so glad you're enjoying it.

It's a very simple tale ... told with love for two countries.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Casdok,

Thank you so much. It's always a great sight, any time, any season. But the vivid blue was just spectacular.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ananda,

Thanks for that explanation. Regarding Photoshop - it is invaluable for newspaper photographers and always has been.

Someone once told me it is like we used to ``fix'' an image or section of an image in the darkroom which was commonly taught and practised. Par for the course back then.

Photoshop is the electronic equivalent of that option.

That said, I never Photoshop my images or digitally enhance them in any way.

Purely a personal choice, but what you see on my blog is what I see through my lens.

Always a pleasure to have you drop by.

Cheers

David

lime said...

i like this an awfullot but i have to say what grabbed me is the way the buildings look like the are leaning toward the center.

Pijush said...

Wonderful shot David, I like the
leaning effect of the buildings also. I personally prefer to digitally enhance the shots as I have no additional lenses or polarizer. But again its personal choice. What I belief is if one can take good pic, that only can be made better by enhancing and not the bad one.
Take care David.

Merisi said...

Wow, blue plus the collapsing building effect! Great image. I hear the three little "Babe" mice singing, "Blue Moon
You saw me shooting alone ....
near where my rubbish bin stood ...
With barely a byte on my card
Yet a dream of my own
of a perfectly
Blue sky ... tadadamdamdambyte ...
"

-

You made me chuckle with your "priorties right" statement! Imagine, if we were neighbours, we'd run into each other out there on the lawn, chasing the moon. *grin*

I caught some "blue" pictures early Monday morning, from my open window. I am sure my neighbours are thinking I work for some spy agency, always with the camera at the windows. ;-)

indicaspecies said...

Simple and superb!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I just received an early Christmas present - a new camera. Thanks for all the inspiration which I'll finally be putting to good use.

p said...

hey thanks for stopping by and commenting.
nice picture, i love the energy in it as well as the color.
i'll be back :)

smilnsigh said...

Yes you certainly do have your priorities right! And that moon shot was a great reward.

This photo is lovely too, but... I am partial to the moon. :-)

Mari-Nanci