Saturday, November 03, 2007

Phantom Menace

Presenting One Of The All-Time Classics

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Today's theme for Photo Hunt is ``Classic'' and I thought about it for a long time before I decided on these shots. I guess there is nothing that defines the theme better than a Rolls-Royce. This 2006 Phantom was in a showroom and I simply rocked up there and asked if I could take some photographs. The hood ornament is called the Spirit of Ecstasy and it has been the focal point of every Rolls-Royce built since 1911. I took several shots of it close up and I suddenly noticed that it was perfectly positioned in relation to two of the recessed lights in the ceiling, so I had to take the shot above.

Then, I figured it's not every day a guy gets to photograph a Roller, so I asked if they could put the hood up for me. Hey, come on, when was the last time you saw a photograph of a Rolls-Royce with its hood up? Think about it .....

So I asked and then I watched, intrigued, as one of the showroom staff took several attempts before finally popping the hood. Then I took this frame (below) with the engine as the point of focus - and I was immediately intrigued at how the hood ornament was portrayed. Have a close look and it seems to be made up of a series of silvery-gold bubbles.

63 comments:

imac said...

Truly fasinating

aniceplaceinthesun.blogspot.com said...

Wow! That is beautiful, and I know beautiful is a sorry adjective for a rolls, but I am at a loss for words. And I'm not a car lover. However, there's something intriguing about the craftsmanship. :0

Thanks,

Ann

imac said...

David, you asked if I have ever seen a full rainbow, well yes I did once, but alas, no camera on hand.

Cynthia said...

Well aren't you bold, walking in and taking pics.! Good for you, great job for the theme!

david mcmahon said...

Hi imac,

Thank you. It was a great opportunity.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ann,

I know exactly what you mean. It is most certainly the craftsmanship.

Thanks for visiting

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi imac,

Just saw your second comment - I saw one on a flight out of Kathmandu in 1982 but my camera was in my baggage!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Nap Warden,

I was sitting there thinking I'd love to photograph the Phantom and then I realised all I had to do was ask ....!!!

Keep smiling

David

Anonymous said...

These are stunning photos!

Anonymous said...

Only in one's dreams. How wonderful that they let you take photos with the hood up along with just taking photos of the vehicle. Great job, have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Wow! great photos for this week's theme. I suppose taking a photo of the rolls is a distant second to actually driving (or owning) one.

jams o donnell said...

The Spirit of Ecstacy is a true classic. Great idea for this week's theme.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I love how something I wouldn't give a second glance can become beautiful by a shift of focus. Very thought-provoking.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah! If money was not an issue I'd own one of those...

Anonymous said...

One of the true classics of our time. I very nearly posted a picture of an old Citroen 2CV which lives just around the corner from me.

Carver said...

Those are both fabulous shots for the classic theme. Very elegant. I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

Michele said...

That is truly fascinating. Not only do we get to see beautiful photos but we learn a little as well. Very nice!!
The Rocky Mountain Retreat

Jules said...

So much to read and so little time - so I am saving your blog to my desktop to read later at my leisure.

I'm not really a car person but I do appreciate art and this is really art isn't it???

Would kill for a piece of the Eiffel Tower - !!!

Will try and get organised and join the ABC Wednesday and Friday Sky Watch - do I have to sign up with that one too????

Anonymous said...

definitely a classic--a beautiful classic!! Have a wonderful Saturday!

Anonymous said...

David, nothing beats a wonderfully crafted Rolls when it comes to classic cars. The way you asked to have it photographed? Classic too.

Have a great weekend :)

BRUNO said...

Assembled like a clock! And if I recall correctly, Rolls-Royce made some kick-ass aircraft engines during WW II, for the British-version of the P-51 fighter?

Been WAY too long ago! Yet ANOTHER interest/hobby that seems to have fallen victim to by-gone years....!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Heather,

Thank you - and thank you for visiting.

Do keep in touch.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Kissedalottatoads,

So glad you liked the shots. They were terrific people, to let me photograph it - and to put the hood up.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Birdieroark,

A distant second indeed, but if I ever own a Rolls, I'll invite you for the first ride.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Jams,

Thank you. I guess it was the best manifestation of `Classic' that I could think of.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Kimberly,

Thank you. You voiced my feelings to a T. I also thought the better of the two shots was the one where it is out of focus!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ellenb

Or two, maybe!!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carver,

Thank you very much. I have photographed a lot of elegant objects in my time, but that really was something else!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Michele (RMG)

Thank you and I'm so glad the post was informative.

Have a great weekend

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Jules,

That so great to hear. Glad you enjoyed it.

Yes, Denise Nesbitt runs the ABC Wednesday theme. You'll see her listed as ``Mrs Nesbitt'' on my blogroll. Just click on that and leave her a comment telling her you want to join.

She's a very welcoming person.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Tegdirb92,

Thank you. It really was appropriate for this week's theme.

Have a great weekend

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi teacherjulie,

You'r so right with that observation. And they were very generous when I asked ....

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Bruno,

I think they made the Merlin and then the Griffin engines for Spitfires and P-51 Mustangs.

And Rolls-Royce used to provide engines for a lot of commercial planes, but I think Pratt & Whitney or General Electric have cornered the aero market.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Archie,

I love to see the shot of te Citroen anyway ...

Keep smiling

David

WichitaKsDailyPhoto said...

I like reading what you write, as much as seeing the photos. I've been browsing through your last few pics and my favorite is the cockpit of the jet, with the cloudy sky as background. Those were some great clouds!

Sounds like you have fun photographing the Rolls. As I've been reading your blog, and seeing you have some books out - I thought, I'm going to have to see if I can find and buy one. How many have been published?

Queen of My Domain said...

Those are great shots of an amazing classic car. I have to say that as much as I like the first photo it's the second one that I prefer. Just a very unique perspective.

Anonymous said...

Love it! Just goes to show, you never know unless you ask!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Wendy,

I'm so glad you liked the shot of the Hornet. The clouds were just right and the sun was perfectly positioned - so I was VERY lucky.

There are a couple of other shots of the Hornet that I posted earlier, from a very unusual angle, that can be seen under the post title `The Sting of the Hornet'.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story behind the Rolls-Royce shots.

Have a great weekend.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Queen,

Thank you, I'm glad you liked the shots. My favourite is also the second image - because it is so different from our normal vision.

I guess that's why I enjoy photography so much.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Lana,

Glad you liked the shot. But the second shot would not have happened if I hadn;t thought of asking them to pop the hood.

I was VERY lucky that day!

I guess it's all about asking a reasonable question and asking with great humility and courtesy. A bit like a lesson in life, I guess!!

Keep smiling

David

PastormacsAnn said...

These are AWESOME! Really appreciate how you photographed this classic. Not your run-of-the-mill car pictures. Very creative.Bravo!

duopastorale said...

Nice shots!

Lynn said...

Good thing they let you take a shot of the RR. Classic and expensive indeed.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

It's a pity the innards come from BMW nowadays, but great shots anyway!

Cheers.

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Glad to see my furure Rolls is in safe hands (wink).

none said...

Very nice.

There used to be a problem with people stealing those hood ornaments.

Someone devised a mechanism where if someone tried to pry it off the ornament would rapidly retract into the car. Sometimes leaving the thief with a bloody stump.

Anonymous said...

Yes, that's a total classic!!! Good for you for going after the photo. :D

Lori said...

Wow, beautiful pictures.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Very cool photos. Rolls Royce are certainly classic cars. Great shot of the engine.

My classic photo.

karoline in the morning said...

luvely photos david and certainly classic...

k:))

**"Liza"** said...

fantastic shot!that is one neat classic car.great job o the theme this week!

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes, clever choice. I've always said that I'd have a Rolls if I were loaded with money.... *giggles*

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pastormac's Anne,

Thank you for visiting and for leaving that wonderful comment.

It was great fun to be allowed in with my camera ...

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Lynn,

I thoughtit was very generous of them to let me in with my camera.

Thanks for visiting.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Snoopy,

You're right - car companies have been bought over so many times in a difficult industry that it's hard to keep track!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carol,

It is being well looked after until you take delivery!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Hammer,

Had never heard that before! That's a role, er Rolls reversal!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Secret Agent Mama,

Thank you. The credit really goes to the manager who gave me permission to come in there with my camera.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Laurel Wreath,

Thanks for visiting, and I'm glad you liked the pictures.

Keep smiling

David

Luke Dockery said...

I like the pictures. It's amazing how, in addition be being a highly functional and efficient machine, the Rolls really is a work of art as well.

Dennis said...

Its a rare seen to see Rolls Royce on the road, I incidently saw one couple of weeks ago..as i started staring at it (-:)) what caught my attention is the 'Spirit of Ecstacy' statue. I didnt know what it is then..thanks for telling..nice work

FHB said...

Purdy. The second shot looks like the back of Darth Vaders helmet, with a fuzzy RR hood ornament in the way. Cool shots man.